January 2018 — Dupont Dental | Washington DC Dentist

To prevent periodontal disease, it is necessary to have an effective oral health routine that includes regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. However, what you eat and drink is also an important factor.

Your Gums and Your Health

The condition of your gums reflects your general health. If all of your bodily systems are functioning as they should, your body is better able to fight inflammation and illnesses. This means that your gums are more likely to be healthy and able to fight off the bacteria that can cause gingivitis, the precursor to periodontal disease. However, if you are not consuming the right nutrients, the resulting nutritional deficiencies will cause your gums to suffer. To stave off periodontal disease, it is important that you provide the nutrients your body needs with a well-balanced diet.

About Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is often considered to be an inflammatory disease. The bacteria that attacks your gums causes certain chemicals to be released in your gums, resulting in the inflammation of the tissue, which in turn, stimulates the nerves and creates sore, painful gums, infections, and loosened teeth. A healthy diet that contains plenty of anti-inflammatory foods with certain minerals and vitamins can help you have overall good health as well as good periodontal health.

Vitamin C

A deficiency in vitamin C is a common factor in people who suffer from gingivitis and periodontal disease, according to one study. Whether you eat an orange or drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, be sure that you get your required amount a Vitamin C every day.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are very effective in reducing inflammation, and as a result, preventing periodontal disease. Foods that contain these acids include walnuts, flaxseed oil and fatty fishes, such as tuna and salmon.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that has a significant role in growing, healing and repairing cells. According to one study, people who had a diet rich in zinc had periodontal health significantly better than those who were deficient in zinc. Oysters are extremely high in zinc. Some other common sources of zinc include nuts and red meat.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-carotene is a pigment and provitamin that gives many foods their orange color. Your body converts the substance into vitamin A, which is essential in the fight against inflammation and supporting health mucous membranes, such as your gums. According to research, non-smokers who consume diets that include foods that are high in beta-carotene can better fight off periodontal disease.

Make Wise Choices Regarding Your Diet

Here are some other dietary tips you can use to improve your oral health and avoid periodontal disease:

Consume plenty of foods that have calcium
Rinse thoroughly with water after eating sugar snacks
Avoid sugary drinks like soda, or choose sugar-free options
Drink water regularly
Opt for whole-grain foods instead of those made with white flour

The right diet is just one part of what is needed to have good oral health. Ask Dupont Dental about what other steps you should take to ensure that you can avoid periodontal disease.

What are Dental X-Rays?

Dentists and other dental care professionals use dental x-rays to take pictures of the bones, teeth and the tissues surrounding them to detect issues that they are unable to see with a visual examination. The pictures can be used to find a wide range of problems with the mouth, teeth, and jaw, such as:

Bone loss

Abscesses or cysts

Dental injuries, like cracked or broken teeth roots

Cavities

Dental structures not visible to the naked eye, like impacted teeth

Dental X-rays can also be used to help create tailored plan dental treatments and to assist with extensive, invasive surgeries. Dentists may also use the procedure review the results of dental treatments.

How Often Should You Get Dental X-Rays?

The frequency with which you get a dental X-ray will typically depend on your current oral health and your dental and medical histories. However, dentists typically recommend getting a bitewing X-ray, which shows your lower and back teeth at the same time, at least once a year. A more extensive type of X-ray, the full mouth series, or FMX, should be taken every three years.

When Do You Need More X-Rays?

There may be situations that require you to get a dental X-ray more frequently. Your dentist may use an X-ray to determine what condition is causing you pain or if there is a suspicion or concern about your oral health that has to be verified. Some of the factors that can require more frequent X-rays include:

Age: Because their teeth and jaws are still in development, children tend to require X-rays more frequently than adults. Their small teeth are also a factor as decay can damage their teeth and spread much quicker.

Significant Restorative Dental Work: If you have had extensive dental work, like fillings, crowns or implants, X-rays are needed to determine if decay is forming beneath treatments.

Periodontal Disease: People with gum disease may be prone to bone loss, which can be monitored with X-rays.

General health. The state of your overall health may make you more likely to develop cavities and gum disease. For example, if you have diabetes, your dentist may recommend more X-rays to detect any signs of gum disease, which is linked to diabetes.

Medications: Certain medications can cause dry mouth, which can make it easier for bacteria to attack your teeth. There are others that can weaken your bones, which will compromise the health of your teeth. If you are take medications strictly to address an oral health issue, additional X-rays may also be necessary.

Cancer Treatment: Because of the effects, radiation and chemotherapies can have on your bones; your dentist may suggest more X-rays to determine if your teeth and nearby bones are being negatively impacted.

Dental X-rays are an important part of achieving and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. By allowing your dentist to see what is happening under the surface of your teeth, signs of pending oral health issues can be detected early, which can lead to prevention or early treatment.

Archive for January 2018

Enjoy Good Oral Health with a Preventive Periodontal Disease Diet