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How Diabetes can Impact Dental Health
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar. In Type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin, whereas in Type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin, but does not use it properly. About 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, and diabetes affects 11.3% of the US population, or 37.3 million Americans. For diabetics, as insulin either isn’t being produced or simply isn’t working properly, blood sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of being converted into energy for cells. This overload of blood sugar can result in
The Effects of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) and How to Fix It
Bruxism is when a person unconsciously clenches or grinds their teeth. There are two different forms of bruxism and several different reasons behind this condition. While it can cause jaw pain, irritation in the mouth, and wearing down of the teeth, there are ways to combat bruxism so your smile stays happy and healthy. What are the different types of bruxism? You can experience bruxism while asleep or awake. Awake Bruxism Awake bruxism is when someone unconsciously grinds or clenches their teeth. It doesn’t always involve the grinding of the teeth. Some people tend to clench their teeth or tense
4 Ways to Relieve Braces Pain
We’ve all been in that awkward middle school stage where you’re transitioning from an elementary school kid to a “too cool for school” high school kid. It’s this weird stage in life where everyone is trying to decide who they want to be. On top of all of that, many middle schoolers will get braces. While braces may have once been uncool, it seems now everyone is getting them. Over 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces, and it’s not just for middle schoolers. About 25% of these individuals are adults. Why are so many people getting braces? Braces
3 Reasons Why Soup is Great for Your Smile: Happy National Soup Month!
New year, new you, same happy and healthy smile! January is National Soup Month, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate it with you. As the winter months drag on, what better way to keep warm than with a hot bowl of soup? Soup is a great way to stay warm, and it’s also a great way to keep your smile healthy and your teeth strong! Soft foods are great for your teeth after surgery! Lots of people schedule their wisdom tooth surgery or other tooth surgeries for Christmas break. It’s the perfect season to take time off of
5 Common Reasons for Bleeding Gums
Have you ever brushed your teeth and noticed that your gums are bleeding? Have you ever made your gums bleed by flossing? Whether your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios or not, there could be several reasons why your gums bleed. Here are five reasons why your gums could be bleeding and how to treat them so your smile can remain happy and healthy! Brushing your teeth too hard Brushing your teeth too hard can cause your gums to bleed. Surprisingly, too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing. This one is an easy fix, though! If
5 Ways to Thank Your Teeth This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time of gratefulness, family, friends, and food! What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season? At Cobblestone Park Family Dental, we’re thankful for our teeth. Here are 5 ways to say thank you to your teeth this Thanksgiving and keep them healthy and strong! Brush Your Teeth Every Day Ever since you were little, you’ve been taught to brush your teeth every day. While it may be tedious at times, it’s important to keep your smile happy and healthy! The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day. When you brush your teeth,
6 Things to Know to Keep Your Teeth Healthy this Halloween Season
It’s that time of year again! Halloween is filled with spooky fun and awesome costumes. Whether you’re going trick-or-treating this year, or you’re a parent who plans on sneaking candy from your child’s basket after the long night of October 31st, here are some sweet candy facts to keep your teeth happy and healthy this Halloween. Sugary foods will damage your teeth. Almost all Halloween candies fall under the sugar category. Sugar isn’t necessarily bad for your teeth. It’s what happens when the bacteria in your mouth breaks down the sugar. When you break down sugar, the bacteria in your
How to Build Strong Teeth if You’re Lactose Intolerant
Building strong bones is important. Lack of attention to your diet and exercise could damage your bones and teeth. Calcium is one of the most essential ingredients to strong bones, but why is it so important? Bones are made of connective tissue and are reinforced by calcium. So, if your calcium intake is high, it will strengthen your bones. Calcium also affects heart health, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Bones naturally weaken when you’re older, and you become more prone to diseases like osteoporosis. People often lose their teeth when they get older. The recommended calcium intake is about 1,000
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Do you have a toothache? Are your gums bleeding? Do you have a canker sore? Sometimes these things happen and aren’t anything that you should worry about. Other times, these are symptoms of something a little more serious. We’ve all been down the Google rabbit hole. Before you know it, you’re diagnosing your baby toothache as a sign of your jaw decaying, and you don’t know how you got there. Don’t worry. You’re not the only one. While Google diagnosing can sometimes point you in the right direction, checking with your dentist is the best way to go. So, how
Is There an Age Limit to Getting Braces?
Getting braces is a right of passage from an awkward middle schooler to high schooler. Orthodontists do their best to make putting painful metal in your mouth exciting. They have fish tanks and TV screens hanging from the ceiling for entertainment. They even let the kids pick their rubber band colors. Some parents will allow their kids to eat ice cream for dinner the first day they get braces. It’s exciting, right? But what happens if you skipped that stage in your life? The atmosphere of many orthodontist offices is tailored toward a younger audience. So, is there an age