health Archives - Upper Arlington - Hilliard Ohio Dentist

How To Maintain A Bright Smile and Keep Yourself Healthy

Posted on November 11, 2016November 15, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

Oral care affects your teeth and gums, and your general health, too. It is easy to have a bright smile and good health when you take oral care seriously.
Healthy Tips For A Beautiful Smile

When you want a bright smile, your teeth need to be clean. While home oral care is a necessity, your diet also affects your teeth. Even if you brush and floss regularly, certain products can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages should be used rarely, if at all.

You should have a balanced diet every day, and make sure you consume plenty of calcium. Calcium is the one nutrient that is most responsible for healthy teeth. Drink milk with every meal, and choose calcium-rich foods such as cheese and yogurt.

Tobacco products stain and discolor the teeth, too. If you smoke or chew tobacco, your teeth will be healthier and whiter when you give up the habit. Your teeth will benefit, and so will your general health.
Dental Tips For Your Smile And Health

Daily home oral care is not enough to keep your smile bright and yourself healthy. Professional cleanings at least twice each year will remove plaque that damages and dulls your teeth.

When your teeth are cleaned at the dentist’s office, the process will also remove bacteria from your mouth. Bacteria can harm your teeth and gums, and it is harmful to your general health. Routine cleanings can prevent bacteria from entering your bloodstream, so your risk of serious health issues can be reduced.
When your teeth are in excellent condition, you will look and feel your best. A bright, white smile will increase your self-confidence so you will smile every day. You will have a more attractive appearance, and better overall health, too. Proper care of your teeth can improve virtually every aspect of your life.

Dental Crowns with Dr. Dana Walters

Posted on August 26, 2016August 30, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

When a new school year approaches, many people make goals to improve their physical health. However, it is also important to consider your oral health. It is essential to make real changes that will make a difference for your mouth. Here are some dental tips that will help you care for your teeth.

Practice Regular Brushing and Flossing. The simplest way to care for your teeth is by practicing a regular brushing and flossing routine. To successfully remove plaque, the American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice a day. Flossing is important as well. It removes trapped debris from between teeth that brushing misses. These tasks prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

Eat Healthy. Eating a balanced diet filled with healthy foods will prevent cavities and other negative mouth problems. Consuming too many foods and drinks that contain acids and carbs will cause tooth decay. Filling meals with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and snacking on healthier items will help you avoid oral issues.

Stop Smoking. Besides breathing easier, you will gain oral benefits from quitting smoking. This bad habit is known to cause your gums to recede. In time, this can lead to tooth loss.

Restorative Dentistry. If oral issues are not allowing you to eat or speak properly, it may be wise to consider restorative dentistry procedures. Dental crowns and implants will improve your appearance and restore healthy mouth function.

Regular Dental Visits. The best way to kick off a new school year is with a visit to your dentist. This professional will clean your teeth and perform an examination that detects small issues before they become major. Scheduling bi-annual appointments will keep your smile as healthy as possible.

Dr. Dana Walters is proud to offer restorative treatments, including dental crowns, to his patients. He understands the importance of having a mouth that looks and functions properly. For more information, schedule an appointment today.

Aging and Dental Health (Geriatrics)

Posted on August 19, 2016August 22, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

White smile When you think of geriatrics, dental health may not come to mind. However, seniors often face oral issues that can affect their dental health and their overall health. If you are a senior, geriatric dentistry is an essential part of your health care priorities.

Why Seniors Need Dental Care. Similar to individuals in younger age groups, seniors are at risk of cavities, gum disease, root decay, and tooth loss. If you want to retain your natural teeth for the rest of your life, you need to prioritize home oral care, and make regular visits to the dentist. Professional cleanings can reduce your risk of developing these issues.

Unlike healthy young people, seniors are prone to dry mouth. This can increase your risk of tooth loss and bad breath. Although drinking water and chewing gum can prevent dry mouth, your dentist may have additional advice.
Dental Health And Your Overall Health. Oral health issues can do more than ruin your teeth. Poor oral health can also contribute to medical issues. Geriatric dental care can prevent diabetes, stroke, and heart problems. Your risk of these conditions can be decreased when you have professional cleanings on a regular basis. Your teeth can be free from plaque, and your mouth can be free from dangerous bacteria.
Seniors And Dental Work. Even if you do not wear dentures, you may have some type of dental work that should be checked regularly. If you have crowns or caps, a dental bridge, or fillings, regular checkups will keep your dental work in excellent condition. It will last longer, perform better, and be more useful for you.
Geriatric dentistry means not needing to choose between your dental health and your overall health. You can have both with regular visits to your dentist. You can have a healthy smile and good health throughout your senior years.

Prevention Tips For An Abscessed Tooth

Posted on July 29, 2016August 2, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

An abscessed tooth can be painful. If left untreated, the bacteria can be harmful to your dental health and your overall health. The wisest approach is to start with prevention tips so an abscess does not occur.
What Causes An Abscessed Tooth?

When you know the most common causes, it can be easier to prevent an abscess. Tooth decay and oral trauma are the main causes of abscessed teeth. Both of these issues can be prevented.
Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Teeth:

Home oral care and routine dental visits can prevent tooth decay. If you have developed a cavity, it should be treated promptly. This will prevent further decay, and the tooth’s pulp will not be affected.

Oral injuries can often be prevented, too. As oral injuries that involve cracks in the teeth can eventually cause an abscess, take appropriate measures to protect your teeth from injury.

First, wear a mouth guard recommended by your dentist whenever you participate in activities. This tip is also important for your children. You should also discuss mouth guards with your dentist if anyone in your family grinds their teeth at night.

Second, see your dentist immediately if you have an accident that affects your mouth. Slip-and-fall accidents and car accidents can damage your teeth.
If You Have an Abscessed Tooth:

An abscessed tooth will not heal on its own. If you do not seek treatment, it will worsen. If you have noticed fluid, or a bad taste in your mouth, consult with your dentist.

When you are treated for an abscessed tooth, you do not want to repeat the experience. Your priorities should be home dental care, protecting your teeth from injury, and regular visits to the dentist.
You do not need to lose your teeth because of an abscess. You also do not want to undermine your general health. Prevention can keep your teeth and your body healthy.

The Link Between Dental Health and Your Diet

Posted on June 17, 2016June 21, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

The foods that are part of your everyday diet affect your dental health and overall well being. Eating the proper amount of vitamins and minerals ensures a healthy body and a bright smile. Avoiding dangerous foods, which are high in sugar and acids, prevents tooth decay and worse dental problems. Here is a closer look at the link between your diet and your dental health.

Poor Nutrition and Health Problems.

Poor nutrition weakens your immune system, which makes your body susceptible to many problems, including periodontal disease. Scientific studies have associated failing oral health to a number of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Consuming a variety of foods will heighten dental health and lower the risks of developing other health problems.

What Food are Best for Healthy Teeth?

Selecting foods from the five major food groups will promote a healthy body and mouth. According to the American Dental Association, a balanced diet is key to a healthy smile. When your diet lacks certain nutrients, it leaves your mouth vulnerable to infections that cause gum disease. When gum disease becomes severe, it can lead to tooth loss. It is best to avoid foods that cling to teeth. Cakes, dried fruit, and sticky candies promote decay. As an alternative, you should snack on yogurt, nuts, or raw vegetables.

When eating carbohydrates, they should be used as part of a meal or eaten with other foods. Combining different items helps neutralize acids that build in the mouth. For instance, when eating crackers, they should be paired with cheese or peanut butter. Dairy foods are rich in vitamin D and calcium. These items strengthen bones and teeth and build a strong immune system. When planning meals, it is important to incorporate this food group.

Beverages Matter.

When you drink a great deal of soda, your enamel will erode from the acid. Also, fruit juices are filled with sugar that can cause decay. A much better way to remain hydrated is by drinking plain water. Water encourages saliva flow, which protects your enamel.

Brushing Helps.

After every meal, it is smart to brush your teeth. This helps remove foods that have become stuck and discourages acids from building and wearing on teeth. For more helpful tips about what to eat so that your mouth and overall health remains strong, it is smart to consult with your dentist. Dr. Dana Walters is always available to offer advice and to recommend tasty meals and snacks that will keep dental problems to a minimum.

How To Prevent Headaches By Taking Care Of Your Teeth

Posted on June 4, 2015June 30, 2015 by Dr. Dana Walters

To promote awareness about various causes of headache pain, it is important to examine the ways teeth may contribute to the discomfort. The American Dental Association explains the link between the mouth and headaches. Teeth grinding, abcesses, and cavities can all lead to head pain.

Teeth Grinding. Teeth grinding is a destructive habit that often causes headaches. Although some people are unaware of the grinding that occurs, this clenching action creates tension in the jaw and face, which leads to headaches. Teeth grinding is typically the mind’s unconscious reaction to stress, anger, or anxiety.

Symptoms of grinding include tooth sensitivity, worn enamel, chipped teeth, and face pain. An abnormal bite or missing teeth may cause this problem as well. The best way to treat the issue is through stress management or the use of a mouth guard.

Abscessed Tooth. An abscessed tooth is caused from a deep cavity or tooth crack that leads to an infection, which bothers nerves in the mouth. These nerves send signals to the head and result in throbbing pain. To stop the headache, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist and have the abscess properly treated.

To prevent an abscess, it is important to practice a regular oral care regimen. You should brush and floss your teeth each day and avoid sugary foods. Also, you should visit your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings twice a year.

Cavities. Cavities are common problems in the mouth that cause holes in teeth. When the damage is deep, it may effect the nerves. After eating hot, cold, and overly sweet foods, these nerves may respond by sending pain signals to areas of the face.

Headaches caused by cavities can be treated by visiting your dentist for fillings. Preventing cavities is not difficult. Using a fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinse will add an extra layer of protection from tooth decay. Receiving a routine dental checkup will help catch cavities early so that you keep painful headaches to a minimum.

The above tips should help you prevent headaches caused by poor oral hygiene. Taking care of your teeth is very important. Having a healthy mouth means having a healthy life.

Stress Awareness: How Stress Affects Your Teeth

Posted on April 23, 2015May 1, 2015 by Dr. Dana Walters

We all have experienced feeling stressed from time to time, but on-going, everyday stress can have a negative impact on your health and mouth. Clenching and grinding of the teeth is most often caused by stressed and can lead to your teeth breaking and serious jaw pain. If you have a lot of stress, you could be seriously damaging your teeth. This could cause the following issues:

-Worn and/or broken teeth

-Sore muscles

-Painful and loose teeth

-Damaged and clicking jaw joints

If you have experienced any of these symptoms then you may want to consider wearing a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Make an appointment with us today to solve this problem!