oral health care Archives - Upper Arlington

How Improving Your Diet Can Improve Your Oral Health

Posted on March 24, 2017April 4, 2017 by Dr. Dana Walters

A healthy diet is important for many reasons. While you may not have associated your diet with dental care, there are a number of ways improving your diet can improve your oral health.
Nutrition For Oral Health:

Nutrition does not only affect your body, it affects your oral health as well. Your gums and teeth need a variety of vitamins and minerals every day. It is not enough to have a calcium-rich diet for strong, healthy teeth. As an example, Vitamin C is essential for healthy gums. When you choose a balanced diet packed with nutrition, you will have better oral health.

If you need to snack between meals, choose slices or sticks of raw, fresh vegetables. You can enjoy snacks that are good for you. Raw vegetables are fun to chew, and they are good for your oral health.
Avoiding Harmful Products:

There are foods and beverages you should limit, or not consume at all. Avoiding candy and other sweets is only the beginning. You will have healthier gums and teeth if you also avoid foods that stick to your teeth, and acidic products that harm tooth enamel.

You can make healthy choices for beverages, too. When you want excellent oral health, do not drink carbonated beverages. Between the sugar and the acidic effects, remove soda pop from your diet. As coffee is acidic, you should avoid drinking it whenever possible. Even fruit juice can be too acidic for your teeth.

Instead, enjoy a fresh, cold glass of milk. A second option is water. Water provides many health benefits, and will also keep your mouth fresh and clean.
Everything you eat and drink affects your teeth and gums. You can avoid products that are harmful, and make healthier choices. You can enjoy good food and oral health at the same time.

Tips To Keep Teeth and Gums Healthy

Posted on March 17, 2017March 20, 2017 by Dr. Dana Walters

You can smile with confidence when your teeth and gums are healthy. Some dental tips can help you achieve and maintain oral health.

Improve Your Diet. There are some products you should avoid for healthy gums and teeth. Some of the most common examples include sugary products, sticky foods, and acidic foods and beverages.

For healthy teeth and gums, fresh crunchy vegetables make excellent snacks. Make sure your diet contains plenty of calcium from dairy products and other calcium-rich foods.

Take Care of Your Dental Health. Visit your dentist at least twice each year for a thorough examination and professional cleaning. Contact your dentist immediately if you experience any dental emergency.

Never skip your home oral care routines. You should floss, brush, and use a good mouthwash at least twice each day.

More Dental Tips For Healthy Gums And Teeth:

If you participate in any sport or other physical activity, talk to your dentist about a mouth guard. A mouth guard can prevent serious injuries to your teeth and gums.

A mouth guard is also useful if you grind your teeth. Grinding can wear down tooth enamel, and can increase your risk of temporomandibular joint disorder.

Whether you use a mouth guard for sports or to prevent grinding, it is easy to use and comfortable to wear when you choose one that fits properly. You can enjoy your favorite sports, and have restful sleep every night, when you wear an appropriate mouth guard.

These dental tips can help you avoid many unnecessary problems. It will be easier for you to enjoy your life when you have healthy teeth and gums. You will be less likely to develop oral health problems, and you will always look your best. Every time you talk and smile, you can do so with complete confidence.

Back-to-School Dental Tips For Your Family

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Dr. Dana Walters

Schools today realize the importance of good health. Most schools no longer offer sugary desserts and treats to students. Unfortunately, while many products are nutritious, they are not all equally suited to dental health. When you pack your child’s lunches, start with some back to school tips.
What Products Are Best For Your Child’s Teeth?

Calcium is the most important nutrient for teeth. Calcium is available in many forms that are appropriate for your child’s lunch. He should drink milk for lunch, whether he buys it at school or whether you provide a thermos for him.

Cheese is another excellent source of calcium. Most kids love cheese, and there are many types from which to choose. You can make cheese sandwiches for his lunchbox, or provide cheese as a snack.

Fresh vegetables will keep his teeth strong and healthy. From celery to cucumbers, fresh vegetable sticks make a refreshing addition to your child’s lunch.

Apples help teeth stay healthy and strong, too. Your child’s lunches can include whole apples, or apples you have cut into quarters or sticks.
Why Avoiding Sugar Is Not Enough For Dental Health:

There are many popular lunch products that can harm your child’s teeth. They do not all contain sugar. Products that are especially sticky or acidic should also be avoided.

Granola bars and most fruits are in this category. Even if they are nutritious, they are not the best choices for your child’s lunchbox. Sticky products can leave harmful residue on his teeth, and acidic products can damage his tooth enamel.
While schools are taking a positive step to ensure students’ health, parents still need to be sure their children’s lunches promote dental health. Whether your child is a kindergartner or a teen, he can enjoy delicious lunches every day that keep his teeth healthy.

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.