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An apple a day keeps the doctor away - Everyone has heard this expression.  Did you know that good dental habits help keep your teeth and your body healthy?  Dr. Mary Rose informs her patients that good dental habits can prevent periodontal disease and reduce many health risks.

Studies have shown that people with severe periodontal disease were three times more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease.  In another study, stroke patients had higher levels of certain bacteria in their saliva, demonstrating a link between oral hygiene and stroke risk.

People with diabetes and periodontal disease have a harder time controlling their blood glucose levels.  It is important that you notify Dr. Mary Rose if you have diabetes.

Based on a 2017 study, Postmenopausal women who have experienced periodontal disease are at increased risk for breast, esophageal, gallbladder, skin and lung cancers.

The National Institute of Health warns that poor dental hygiene can increase your risk for endocarditis which is an infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers.

Dr. Mary Rose advises that brushing and flossing twice daily with regular dental checkups will reduce these risks.

Dr. Mary Rose Twohig recommends that you schedule a hygiene appointment regularly for a cleaning and checkup.  Twohig Dentistry has two wonderful hygienists, Lucie and Melissa, who are dedicated to making sure you have a great experience during your hygiene appointment.   They agree with Dr. Mary Rose that coming in regularly for a checkup is important for your oral health, as well as your overall health.

Why Is It Important to Visit Your Dentist Regularly?

Plaque and tarter can build up on your teeth between your hygiene visits.  Food, beverages as well as tobacco can stain your teeth as well.  When you come regularly, our hygienists will remove the plaque from your teeth and around your gums.  This will prevent inflammation and irritation around your gums, which could lead to gum diseases like periodontal disease and gingivitis.  Periodontitis has been associated with serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.  Visiting your dentist regularly will allow Dr. Mary Rose to keep your oral hygiene healthy and find any issues before they grow into painful problems.

You are probably aware that guzzling soda and drinking those sugary Starbucks Frappuccinos aren’t particularly good for your dental health. But how much thought do you give to the effects of your diet on your teeth? Practicing healthy eating habits isn’t just helpful for your waistline, it also ensures that your teeth stay strong and cavity-free.

How diet affects dental health

Our team at Twohig Dentistry will tell you that your mouth is a complicated place on a microbiological level. Harmful bacteria form dental plaques which convert the sugars in food to acids that wear away at tooth enamel. Meanwhile, saliva washes away some of the detrimental acids, while minerals work to rebuild where teeth are damaged. The foods you eat are important for managing this balancing act between harmful bacteria and helpful rebuilding agents.

Rethinking your diet to prevent cavities

Carefully considering your dietary choices is a smart way to become mindful of the foods you eat and how they affect oral health.

Foods to eat

• Calcium- and phosphorus-rich foods. We’ve all heard that milk builds strong bones, and your teeth are included in that. Milk, cheese, nuts, and chicken are strong sources of calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are used to repair damage to the teeth’s enamel.
• Crunchy fruits and vegetables. Biting into an apple stimulates saliva flow, which washes harmful acids from the surface of your teeth. Turn to other crunchy fruits and vegetables, including carrots, celery, pears, and lettuce, to increase saliva production.
• Sugar substitutes. If you have a sweet tooth but want to decrease tooth decay, sugar substitutes such as Stevia or Equal provide a sugary kick without harming your teeth.

Foods to avoid

• Sugary snacks. Cookies, cakes, candies, and other sugary treats provide a feast for the acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. Furthermore, these foods often get stuck in the ridges of your teeth, and provide a breeding ground for new bacteria.
• Acidic fruits and vegetables. Foods high in acidity, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, berries, peaches, and lemons, wear away the enamel of your teeth. Because these foods can be part of a healthy diet, remember to brush after eating them or swish with a mouth rinse to protect your teeth.

Eating well is an essential part of keeping your teeth healthy. Consult Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig about your diet for tips on food habits that keep your teeth strong and cavity-free. For more information about the link between your diet and your oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig, please give us a call at our convenient Albuquerque office!

What do we know about osteoporosis? We may know that this disease makes the bones more brittle and vulnerable. We may know that osteoporosis is the cause of many a broken hip or curved spine as we age. We may even know that, for a number of reasons, women are far more likely to develop this disease. What we may not be aware of is the impact osteoporosis can have on our dental health.

“Osteoporosis” means “porous bones.” It is a disease that makes the bones more likely to fracture or break, as the body’s careful balance of absorbing old bone tissue and replacing it with new healthy bone tissue is disrupted. We lose bone tissue faster than we can create new, dense bone tissue. Why is this important for our dental health? Because the fitness of our teeth depends on the fitness of the bones surrounding and securing them in our jaws.

How does osteoporosis affect dental health?

• Osteoporosis reduces density in the bones and bone tissue that hold our teeth in place. Studies have shown that women with osteoporosis have significantly more tooth loss than women without the disease.
• Periodontitis, or gum disease, can also cause deterioration in the bone surrounding the teeth. This is a time to be proactive with gum health to avoid infections and further bone loss.
• Denture wearers may find that their dentures no longer fit properly due to changes in bone structure. Bone loss needs to be addressed promptly to avoid having to replace dentures.
• Rarely, bone-strengthening medications for osteoporosis can lead to serious jaw problems after dental procedures that involve the jawbone (such as extractions). Always tell us any medications you are taking before we schedule any dental treatment.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis often has no symptoms at all—until the first bone fracture. Checking our bone density is important as we age, and one way of discovering changes in bone density is through your regular dental checkups at our Albuquerque office. We can pinpoint changes in your X-rays through the years and will recommend that you see your physician if there is any indication of bone loss. If you have already been diagnosed with the disease, we have ideas to help maintain the health of your teeth and bones.

Many factors can increase your chance of developing osteoporosis. Age, illness, personal habits, medications, diet, genetics—any number of conditions can affect our bone health. Talk to us about osteoporosis. Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig would like to work with you to provide prevention and treatment to keep your teeth and bones strong and healthy for a lifetime of beautiful smiles. And that’s certainly good to know!