February. Unless you’re a snowmobiler, skier, or ice-fisherman, it’s a month the rest of us wishes would pass as quickly as it begins. After all, frozen toes, creaky bones, and chapped lips aren’t usually physical afflictions one desires to endure on a daily basis. Even those of us in the south, who brave a more mild winter, will yearn for the days when a sweater is no longer required. Despite the cold, though, there is always something about February that helps melt away all that freeze and warm us up both inside and out – Valentine’s Day. And, of course … chocolate. And, get this! Would you believe it can actually be good for your teeth? Read more
Why Your Snoring Isn’t As Innocent As You Believe
If the sonorous chorus of a loved one’s snoring has you at your wit’s end, rather than burying your face in your pillow and lambasting them in the morning for their motorcycle muffler cacophony, you may wish to suggest they see the doctor instead. Frequent snoring, particularly when punctuated by moments of “interrupted” snoring, can be signs of a potentially life threatening condition called sleep apnea. It is a serious concern worthy of both your attention, and that of your nighttime vocalist whose life you might just save as a result of your vigilance. Read more
Need to Have a Tooth Removed? Why Your Dentist Might Suggest Socket Preservation
When we experience the loss of a tooth, either through trauma or decay, the bone that surrounds the tooth undergoes a remarkably quick process known as resorption, where the bone is “broken down” at the cellular level and dispersed elsewhere throughout the body. Essentially, because the body believes it no longer needs this bony material due to the tooth’s absence, it reclaims this material into the body for other use. While this might sound like nothing to worry about, your dentist is likely to suggest socket preservation to prevent a host of further complications that accompany this rather intriguing bit of biological science. Read more
Diabetes and Dental Health
25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3% of the population – have diabetes. And not too far behind those 25.8 million are the estimated 79 million Americans with prediabetes. What’s worse, the prevalence of the disease is on the rise, with an estimated 552 million to be diagnosed by 2030. Its progress has become so staggering, the International Diabetes Foundation has termed Diabetes as “The Global Burden.” Diabetes is a serious illness, and its complications are manifold. Most know of its impact on circulation, visual acuity, and heart and kidney function. Many aren’t aware, however, of its deleterious effect on gum tissue. If you’re prediabetic, have diabetes or have a loved one with the disease, you’ll want to learn more about how to ward off this commonly unknown side effect of the disease. Read more