According to a recent study by the American Dental Association, one in five Americans, about 23%, is avoiding dental treatment in the next twelve months. Almost half of them say that the cost is the number one reason why.
Putting off dental treatment is not good for your health or wallet. Avoiding treatment can lead to infection, tooth loss and more dental work which can end up costing more money.
At Dr. Nichols office the fees are not only fair and competitive; we also offer a payment plan through Care Credit to help patients comfortably manage their dental costs. With Care Credit’s no Interest if paid in full payment options offered, we can help you keep your mouth healthy!
It is very important that woman trying to get pregnant keep there gums healthy! A new study has revealed woman with periodontal disease take three times longer to get pregnant than woman without and, woman with symptoms of periodontitis-disease of the gum and bone took four times longer to get pregnant. According to research it is believed the infection in the gums and jawbone lead to inflammation in the body. This inflammation may prevent ovulation or may even stop the embryo from implanting. Woman if you are planning on expanding your family, make an appointment for a teeth cleaning and check-up! Healthy gums are imperative for a healthy body!
Did you know drinking bottled water can affect your teeth and health? If you are drinking a lot of bottled water, and it’s acidic, it could be bringing harm to your teeth! The acidity erodes tooth enamel causing tooth decay. The best beverages to drink for good oral health should contain fluoride. Studies have shown drinking beverages with fluoride reduces tooth decay both in children and adults by up to 25 percent. If you are only drinking bottled water and not public water you may not be getting the fluoride needed to keep your teeth healthy!
In an effort to quit smoking, many people are turning to e-Cigarettes. Unfortunately, they are just as bad for your health! Studies have suggested the flavorings used in the e-cigarettes are causing harm to blood vessel cells which can damage your heart. Five flavorings were tested in the lab: menthol (mint),acetylpyridine (burnt flavor),vanillin (vanilla),cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon),and eugenol (clove). Upon testing these flavors, they found them to cause damage to the cells that line the inside blood vessels, the layer of the heart. It has been proven, e-cigarettes contain toxic substances and irritants. With all these studies proving e-cigarettes to be extremely harmful to your health we hope you think twice before using them!
Drinking too many drinks that are acidic can be damaging to your teeth. With so many drink choices it can be hard to determine which ones are good for you. You may be saying, “I’m ok I drink flavored water”. The truth is flavored water can be just as harmful as drinking soda or juices. To determine the acidity, we need to look at the pH, the lower the pH, the more acidic, and the likelier to cause harm and tooth erosion. The American Dental Association recommends minimizing the amount of these drinks we consume, instead the best drink would be plain water. When that thirst kicks in, think healthy teeth and reach for some refreshing water!
Are you an ice cube chewer? If so we encourage you to quit this bad habit! You may think there is no harm in this but because ice is a crystal as is your tooth enamel, when they rub against each other one is going to break. Yes, most of the time it will be the ice, but sometimes it will be your tooth or a filling that will break. To help you break this habit we suggest you drink your beverages with no ice as well as use a straw.
Experts are warning that woman who loose teeth after menopause are at a higher risk of an early death. Major studies done are suggesting gum disease and the loss of teeth are a red flag indicator of severe health problems. For seven years scientists tracked 57,000 post-menopausal women. They found those women with gum disease were 12 percent more likely to die during that study period. The chance of dying increased to 17 percent for those who lost their teeth. Researchers are warning that gum disease may be an indicator of other problems in the body such as type II diabetes and heart disease. These researchers are encouraging women to go and have a dental screening to try to ward off any future problems. Dr. Nichols and her experienced team can screen you for periodontal disease and put you on the right path to maintain healthy teeth and gums! Keep your teeth and body healthy, schedule your dental check-up today!
According to reports the FDA will be issuing a new proposal for regulating homeopathic medicines. The focus will be on products that pose the biggest safety risks, including those that are used for children with serious diseases. Understandably there are some that prefer to use alternative methods, but it is the FDA’s responsibility to protect you from products that have no real benefit, especially those that may cause harm! The FDA will focus on those homeopathic products that are being marketed for the use of serious diseases and illnesses that have been proven to offer no clinical benefit. Unfortunately many have placed their trust and money into these homeopathic medicines only to receive no benefit or even worse, irreparable harm ! In 2016 the FDA alerted the ADA of homeopathic tablets and gels being used for teething that had the potential to cause harm! We recommend looking for the ADA seal of approval when purchasing products to treat your mouth.
So many of you are putting off scheduling your routine dental check-up. Many think skipping there dental visit will help save them money. Putting off your dental treatment is not only bad for your health, but it will wind up costing you more in the end! Would you skip doing an oil change on your car? I’m sure the answer would be no! Skipping routine maintenance may save you a little money but eventually neglecting these upkeep costs will lead to a breakdown that will become a major expense for you. Similarly keeping up with your routine dental check-ups will help prevent bigger, more expensive problems from occurring. Do not delay call today and schedule your cleaning and check-up!
According to a CNN report some people are claiming apple cider vinegar is beneficial in treating diabetes, controlling weight loss, and is good for your teeth. Apple cider vinegar is being used not only as a mouth rinse but some are using it to whiten their teeth. The ADA does not promote such use! Why? Due to the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar, it can cause wear on your tooth enamel, the protective coating that helps prevent you from getting cavities thus increasing your risk for tooth decay. If you want to keep your mouth healthy and have whiter brighter teeth the ADA recommends brushing twice daily while using a mouth rinse and toothpaste that is ADA seal approved!