Keeping on top of your oral health is key when it comes to making sure your whole body stays healthy. The bacteria that occur naturally in your mouth can produce harmful bacteria such as strep and staph, which can lead to serious infections and sickness.

When you follow good dental habits like daily brushing and flossing, and eat a healthy diet, you can discourage harmful bacteria from traveling from your mouth to other parts of your body. Protect yourself and learn more about the link between oral hygiene and a healthy body.

Until recently, tooth decay was more common because of the lack of regular dental care and research behind fluoride. Tooth decay is much less problematic today, due to fluoridated water and toothpastes that contain fluoride.

Nowadays, gum disease has replaced tooth decay as the most frequent dental problem. Periodontal disease is on the rise among adults because people don’t floss regularly and then ignore gum tenderness and bleeding. If left unchecked, periodontitis can cause inflammation that may cause harm to other parts of the body.

Oral Health and Chronic Disease

Many scientists believe inflammation-related infections can trigger systemic disease or intensify existing conditions. Remember, bacteria overgrowth in inflamed gum tissue is able to enter the bloodstream through your eating processes, which is why it’s so vital to visit our Hiawatha, IA office if you notice sustained gum irritation and inflammation in your mouth.

Caring for your teeth and gums every day can prevent the onset of disease and save you trouble in the future with regard to your body’s health. If you think you may be showing signs of periodontal disease, or notice anything else out of the norm, please contact Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying and schedule an appointment.

We want you to be proactive about your health!

Recently, multiple studies have concluded that people with sleep apnea, a disorder that causes snoring, fatigue, and dangerous gaps in breathing at night due to throat muscles collapsing, are five times more likely to develop cancer. In fact, one of the studies found that people with the most severe forms of sleep apnea had a 65 percent greater risk of developing cancer of any kind.

Researchers believe this could be due to the body lacking enough oxygen, a condition known as hypoxemia. When people are deprived of oxygen, their bodies react by producing more blood vessels, which can feed cancer cells, and as a result cause tumors to grow and spread.

Approximately 28 million North Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with many cases going undiagnosed. This is due to most cancer patients not mentioning any sleep problems they experience unless their physician asks them.

Patients at Blair Ridge Dental who suffer from sleep apnea can be treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which produces a stream of air to keep the upper airways open while you sleep. An oral appliance may be another option if CPAP therapy isn’t an option. If you have sleep apnea, Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying and our team will help you understand all of your treatment options, finding one that suits your needs.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, please give us a call at our Hiawatha, IA office to schedule an appointment.

Your gums are responsible for a large part of your overall oral health. So keeping them healthy and knowing how to detect gum disease is extremely important.

Since it’s often painless, gum disease may go unnoticed and can progress when left untreated. Understanding the causes of gum disease will give you the ability to keep your oral health in great shape:

• Bacteria and Plaque. Good hygiene helps remove bacteria and plaque from teeth. When plaque is not removed, it turns into a rock-like substance called tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.
• Smoking and Tobacco. Smokers and tobacco users put themselves at a higher risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco use can also stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and increase the risk of oral cancer. It’s best to avoid using tobacco altogether.
• Certain Medications. Ironically, certain medications for other health conditions can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Talk with Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying if you have concerns about a medication you are taking. Steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, certain cancer therapy medications, and oral contraceptives can be among the culprits.
• Medical Conditions. Certain medical conditions can also affect your gum health. Diabetics can have an increased risk of gum disease due to the inflammatory chemicals in their bodies. Talk to our team about your health condition so we can take that into account when treating you.

Luckily, there are actions you can take to prevent gum disease. You should make regular visits to our Hiawatha, IA office for regular cleanings. It’s also worthwhile to maintain good hygiene habits at home, such as flossing and brushing at least two times every day.

Good oral hygiene practice and visits to our Hiawatha, IA office can help you eliminate or reduce the risks of developing gum disease!

On the last Wednesday in September, we celebrate “Women’s Health and Fitness Day.” Because your oral health plays such a large role in your general health and well-being, let’s look at a few of the ways you can treat yourself with the care you need and deserve at different stages of your life.

Puberty 

Puberty begins around the ages of 8 to 13, and typically lasts from 2-5 years. During this time, our bodies begin to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which affect not just the reproductive organs, but our brains, hearts, skin, hair, bones, and more. These hormones can also affect our oral health.

• Gingivitis

Hormonal fluctuations make gum tissue more sensitive to irritants like plaque and bacteria. You might find that your gums are swollen, tender, red, or bleed easily. 

What you can do:

Keeping up with your dental hygiene is the best defense against gingivitis. Even if your gums feel a bit tender, it’s important to keep up with your brushing and flossing because proactive dental hygiene can reverse gingivitis before the condition becomes more serious. If symptoms persist, a visit to the dentist is in order.

Menstruation

• Menstruation gingivitis

Elevated hormone levels can also cause gingivitis during the menstrual cycle, usually beginning a few days before the start of your period and ending soon after your period begins. Some women also experience canker sores and swollen salivary glands during this window.

What you can do:

Be mindful of any oral changes during your menstrual cycle. Pay special attention to dental hygiene, and, if you develop canker sores, talk to your dentist or doctor about the best way to care for yourself while they heal.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings about many physical changes, including potential changes in your oral health.

• Pregnancy Gingivitis

Pregnancy hormones cause an increase in the blood supply to your gums while at the same time making them more vulnerable to irritation from bacteria and plaque. You may find that your gums are redder, more swollen, and more likely to bleed when brushing. 

• Loose Teeth

During pregnancy, increased hormone production helps relax and loosen ligaments and joints in preparation for birth. Teeth are held in place by ligaments, and you might be alarmed to discover your teeth are looser as well. Typically, this situation resolves when the baby is born.

• Pregnancy Granulomas

Some pregnant women may also experience pregnancy granulomas. These dark red swellings are benign tumors which appear along the gumline. These generally shrink on their own, but, if a granuloma is causing you pain or discomfort, your dentist can remove it surgically.

What you can do:

Let your dental team at Blair Ridge Dental know right away when you learn that you’re pregnant. You’ll get helpful advice about brushing and flossing techniques, pregnancy-related oral conditions to look out for, when to schedule dental treatment and cleanings, a tooth-healthy diet, and more.

Menopause and Later Years

As we age, there’s an increased risk of oral health issues.

• Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes loss of density in the bones—including the bones and bone tissue which hold our teeth in place. Studies indicate that women with osteoporosis suffer significantly higher tooth loss than women who don’t have the disease.

• Dry Mouth

Saliva helps protect the teeth from cavities by washing away bacteria and food particles and by neutralizing acids in the mouth. Reduced estrogen production, medications, and medical conditions such as diabetes can all cause dry mouth. 

• Gum Disease

About 2/3 of older Americans have gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Lower hormone levels have been linked to increases in periodontal diseases.

• Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is more common as we age, and, while men are affected almost three times as often as women, we should be aware of the common symptoms of oral cancer, including a sore in the mouth which doesn’t heal, a lump or thickening in the mouth, red or white patches on the tongue, gums, and other oral tissues, loose teeth, or persistent earaches or discomfort when eating or swallowing.

What you can do:

Visit your dentist and doctor for preventative care and whenever you are concerned about your oral health! Whether it’s helping you prevent osteoporosis and dry mouth or discovering dental and medical conditions early, when they are more likely to be treated successfully, regular visits to your dentist and doctor can help ensure that you have years of happy smiles ahead. 

Missed the date this year? No worries! Women’s Health and Fitness Day is one day in September, but every day in the calendar is a good day to think about your oral health. Partner with Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying and your doctor to help make your healthy smile something to celebrate all year long! Make an appointment with Blair Ridge Dental in Hiawatha, IA today!