Wellesley Dental Group Blog

Ever felt the urge to chew on ice, or know someone who does? Chewing on ice is a common habit among many, but we’ll tell you why it’s important to stop. As with other hard foods, ice can be harmful to your teeth and gums.

Having good oral care is timeless. The earlier you begin perfecting your oral hygiene routine, the better, so that your pearly whites can last a lifetime. As teens enter maturity, things can get busy very quickly with school, work, and extracurricular activities.

Do you forget to brush your tongue? It can be easy to miss your tongue when doing your daily routine tooth-brushing. Bacteria not only make themselves at home on your teeth, but also on your tongue, too. In general, a healthy tongue should appear pink all around. But when food particles are not removed from your tongue, you may notice a build-up of discolored film on your teeth which is made up of oral bacteria. This can lead to bad breath and other dental issues. Fortunately, in most cases proper oral hygiene can help clear this up.

Diabetes is a serious health condition that plagues the lives of many. Just in the United States alone, over 37 million people have diabetes, and 1 out of every 5 of them don’t realize they have it according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not only does diabetes play a significant role in overall health, it also impacts oral health tremendously.

Feeling numb in your mouth can be a strange sensation, but many have had to experience this at the dentist following specific procedures. However, a sensation of numbness in the mouth without dental anesthesia is much less common. If you have ever experienced weird sensations within the mouth or complete numbness within the mouth for an unknown reason, the first step is to immediately see your primary physician or dentist so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. They may recommend testing such as allergy tests or blood tests, or make a referral to a specialist if deemed necessary.

June is National Men’s Health Month, and it’s a great time to remind everyone of the importance of prioritizing health and educating all about the health issues that specifically impact men. It has been well established that there are health differences between different sexes, and this even extends into the realm of oral health. According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, men use tobacco at higher rates than women, placing them at an increased risk of developing cancer, gum disease, and other health problems. Many men are also impacted by prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, which are among leading causes of death. Fortunately, when caught early, these cancers are often treatable. This is why knowledge is power, and regular screenings and visits to your physician and dentist are crucial for maintaining your health! Interestingly, it has been commonly reported that men are less likely to schedule regular health screenings, including visiting the dentist. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 61% of men in comparison to 67% of women are likely to schedule a dental visit. Instead, men have been found to be more likely to wait to check-in with their health professionals when something is noticeably wrong.

Want your teeth to last for a lifetime? If so, you will need to make sure you are taking proactive measures to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your life! Some people may believe that having dentures is inevitable, but this is a true misconception. Tooth loss can be prevented with simple measures, such as keeping regular dental check-ups and maintaining good oral-care at home. Your dental professionals are trained to diagnose and treat oral diseases and common problems like tooth decay before it progresses to the point of no return for your teeth. Your dentist may also provide preventative treatments such as fluoride, which is known to help strengthen tooth enamel and reverse early tooth decay. In addition, brushing at least twice a day and flossing your teeth daily is key to avoiding dentures. If you notice that you still have a film of dental plaque and debris on your teeth after brushing, you may want to try switching to an electric toothbrush, which tends to help improve efficiency in cleaning. Maintaining a healthy diet and limiting items such as sugars and acidic foods and beverages can help lower your risk of developing tooth decay.

Each June, the Alzheimer’s Association along with many organizations and individuals across the United States observe Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Over 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The main goal of this national campaign is to educate and provide support to all those impacted by these conditions. Dementia has been linked to risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and even gum disease.

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can really do damage to your pearly whites, especially if you don’t realize that you have this habit. Individuals who suffer from nocturnal teeth grinding often do not consciously recognize that they are doing it while they are asleep.

Choosing what to eat becomes a daily choice filled with many options. But, as we all know very well, sometimes the things that taste super good are not always the best for our health, especially when consumed frequently. Previous research has suggested that the foods we consume play a role in the types of bacteria we have orally. In addition, these bacteria, some of which can be beneficial and others harmful, can influence our overall health.