Quick Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.

Limit Soda, Coffee and Alcohol
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Drink Tap Water When Possible
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.

Monitor Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
Despite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.

Increase Your Calcium Intake
After age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and D
These vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.

Put Out the Cigarette
Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Oral Health for Senior Citizens

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about dental care for senior citizens.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Children's Preventative Dentistry

The Easy Way to Prevent Child Tooth Decay

Sometimes even the most careful brushing doesn't clean the deep grooves in back teeth. Whenever bacteria, acids, and plaque form, decay will follow. Even the smallest cavity means permanent damage to a tooth, and it will need repair with a filling. The big news is that there is a way to prevent this from happening. One application of dental sealant to a child's or adolescent's teeth will help them to keep their natural teeth healthy and intact for a lifetime. 

Applying sealants is a very easy process. After each tooth is cleaned, they are all sterilized. One thin coating is applied to all the surfaces of each back tooth. This coating is clear in color and not visible. The dentist bonds the sealant to the teeth with a curing light. That is the whole procedure, and it takes only a few minutes. No shots are given, and no drills are used. The entire tooth structure remains whole. It is completely harmless, but very effective in preserving young patients' natural teeth.

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Dental Grills: The Bad Things

Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.

Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.

Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Dental Plans

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about dental plans.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Dental Implants

Why Lost Teeth are a Serious Matter

Is it a big deal to lose a tooth? Most people seem to think no, but the loss of just one tooth can cause other teeth to shift from their natural positions. This is not good, as it can have an effect on chewing and absorbing nutrients from food. Over time, your face can take on a sunken look without a full set of upper and lower teeth. This adds years to your facial appearance, making you look older than your age. Sometimes your speech may become slurred, making it difficult for others to understand certain words. Your dietary choices may change to those that are softer and easier to eat. Often these types of foods have a high calorie content and result in unwanted weight gain. Dental implants are the best solution for replacement of one or many missing teeth. They look natural, are durable, and function as well as a real tooth, and no one will be able to tell they are not yours.

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com

Great American Smokeout

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about quitting smoking.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Carolinas Dental Center  
428 North Trade Street, Suite 101  
Matthews, NC 28015  
(704) 278-8008  
CarolinasDentalCenterMatthews.com