New Year’s Resolutions for Your Oral and Overall Health

Welcome the new year with a renewed commitment to living healthy. Commit to a resolution that will keep your overall health in good shape as well as your oral health. Here are some dental health tips to consider that will keep you smiling and feeling great.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Poor nutrition can affect the entire immune system, increasing susceptibility to many common oral disorders, including gum disease. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and other nutrients that help to improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation. In addition, crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery can help remove plaque and acids from teeth.

Quit smoking

Smoking increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. It also increases your risk for tooth discoloration, cavities, gum recession, gum disease and oral cancer. Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers.  If you currently use tobacco, consider chewing sugar-free gum. It can stimulate the flow of saliva and can help wash away bacteria.

Limit your alcohol intake

You may already know that excessive alcohol intake can have an effect on your overall health. But it can also impact your oral health. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, those who consume excessive alcohol have increased gum recession. Studies show that people who regularly consume alcohol are also less concerned about their basic health and oral needs.

This year, do yourself and your teeth a favor. You can maintain a healthy diet and improve your oral hygiene. For more information on how you can improve your oral and overall health this new year, contact our Lima dentist.

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Blanford Dental Center  

3000 Elida Rd       
Lima, OH 45805    

Phone: (419) 331-1080
URL of Map

Blog by Dr. Blanford Chances of decay in children’s teeth

Chances of decay in children’s teeth

Tooth decay is a serious risk for individuals that don’t maintain their routine cleanings. An important time to make sure tooth decay doesn’t occur, is when the individual is a child. The care of your child’s baby teeth could dictate positive or negative effects of their adult teeth.

The consequences of tooth decay should be highly emphasized to your children if they fail to brush at least twice a day. There were studies conducted that one in four children do not practice the recommended twice a day brushing of their teeth.

Disregarding daily brushing as a child will not only present the risk of tooth decay, but it could lead to cavities, pain, more infections, tooth loss and a slew of other oral health problems. Tooth decay could also lead to a fear of the dentist.

 Effects of Tooth Decay on Your Child’s Health

Everyone has a risk to receive a cavity. It is very important to implement strong habits for the child when their baby teeth start to grow. Without a visit to the dentist in Lima early, your child will not become familiar and comfortable with dental visits.

Parents should immediately contact their Lima dentist if these early symptoms become visible:

• The gum line will have a dull white color
• Brown spots on the child’s teeth
• Red swollen gums

 Dental Phobias

Children who experience tooth decay early may associate the dentist with pain and develop a dental phobia. These children may carry this phobia through their adulthood.

Many of these adults that obtain dental phobias will neglect the services of a local dentist and receive even more oral issues like rotting teeth. Rotting teeth can lead to invasive root canal therapy and reconstructive work.

How to Avoid Tooth Decay

Create a fun experience with your children to have them enjoy brushing regularly. With the guidance from your dentist in Lima and hygienist, they will be able to show you how to care for your child's teeth. Also, making sure to use proper oral health products such as a full-strength fluoride toothpaste and/or fluoride mouthwash can help reduce the risk for cavities.

Prevent Tooth Decay from the Start

Omitting bad habits from the beginning of a child’s life is extremely important in stopping tooth decay. Failure to take initial action of explaining to your children the results of tooth decay could begin a pattern of lifelong dental problems.

A child should visit their dentist in Lima, OH every six months for checkups and cleaning. For more information on preventative measures for tooth decay, contact your dentist.

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