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Healthy Gums, Strong Lungs
Do you have sick or healthy gums? While healthy gums should appear pink, sick gums are swollen and inflamed. They pull away from your teeth, causing your teeth to loosen and even fall out.
Keeping your gums healthy isn’t only essential when it comes to maintaining peak oral health but respiratory health as well. According to research published in the Journal of Periodontology, a study submits that periodontal disease may heighten the risk for respiratory infections.
These infections include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. But by keeping your gums healthy, you also may breathe easier and enjoy optimal lung health.
One of the ways to keep gums healthy is by brushing and flossing your teeth each day and visiting the practice for periodic dental hygiene visits. We want to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful smile. Schedule your dental hygiene appointment today!
Waxed or Unwaxed Floss: Which Is Right for You?
In addition to brushing twice a day, flossing daily is one of the best ways to keep your pearly whites healthy. While you can find floss in a variety of colors and flavors, it also comes in waxed and unwaxed.
You may be wondering if one type is more effective than the other. The truth is, according to various studies, there is no appreciable difference.
Waxed floss is ideal if you easily break a strand when flossing between your teeth. Wax may make it more difficult, however, to floss between crowded teeth.
Conversely, unwaxed can be used between snuggly spaced teeth but is more apt to break or tatter than waxed floss. If you like floss with flavor, then you’ll want to choose waxed.
Either type will do the job so the best floss for you is the one you will use daily.
Remedying Medication-Induced Dry Mouth
Do you feel like your mouth is parched like a desert or filled with cotton balls? Dry mouth (xerostomia) has many causes, one of which is medication. The following can contribute to dry mouth: antihistamines, decongestants, and many medications for anxiety, depression or ADHD.
There are several things you can do to diminish dry mouth, including:
• Drink water throughout the day. Chewing sugar-free gum is also a good idea as doing so promotes saliva production, which can address dry mouth. Consider using a mouthwash designed for dry mouth. You also can use a room humidifier at night.
• Avoid tobacco, limit coffee and other sources of caffeine and avoid mouthwashes with alcohol. Additionally, you may need to change your medication or the dosage to get relief from your dry mouth.
If these tips don’t help your dry mouth, we are happy to provide some other suggestions.
Jun 07, 2018 at 11:14 PM
I find your Newsletter so informative! Thank you for posting healthy news information. I enjoy learning and looking after my smile. Connie M. Vella.