Preventive Dental Care

Is There A Link Between Oral Health and Stroke Risk?

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, as one person dies every four minutes on average due to a stroke or complications from the condition. Preventing strokes comes down to getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet, but your oral health also can help reduce your stroke risk. Below, we take a closer look at the link between your oral health and your stroke risk.

Strokes and Your Teeth

To better understand the relationship between stroke risk and your oral health, we first must learn a little bit more about stroke onset. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, or when a blood clot prevents oxygen from getting to the brain. This can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including the inability to speak, a drooping face, limb weakness and impaired vision. Due to their onset, individuals who are at the highest risk for strokes are older individuals, African Americans, people who live a sedentary lifestyle, obese individuals and smokers.

So how does mouth health affect your risk of stroke? According to medical data, you may be more likely to suffer a stroke if you have poor gum health. Poor oral health can lead to the onset of gum disease, which is an inflammatory condition that leads to swollen, red and bleeding gums. The condition also involves the overgrowth of mouth bacteria, and this abundance of oral bacteria can lead to an infection. This bacterial infection can get into your bloodstream, which can make your blood clot more easily. If your blood clots and it prevents air from getting to your brain, you can suffer a stroke.

It’s very important to prevent inflammatory gum disease. Not only can it reduce your risk of a stroke, but gum disease has also been medically linked to an increased risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, floss daily to remove plaque and tartar from between your teeth that contributes to gum disease, and to get regular dental cleanings to stay on top of your gum health. Gum disease affects more than 64 million Americans, but we can help decrease those numbers and our stroke risk by being cognizant of what contributes to gum disease and how to best prevent it.

So if you are considered at a higher risk for stroke because of your age or other health factors, or if you’ve suffered a stroke in the past, make sure you are working to reduce your risk in every controllable way. Eat a healthy diet, give up smoking, lead an active lifestyle and take care of your oral health! If you want more information about the association between your mouth health and stroke risk, or if you are interested in setting up your next appointment with Dr. Brooks, reach out to his clinic today.

Dental Plaque

What Is Dental Plaque?

You may have heard it’s important to have good oral health and to keep plaque off your teeth, but what exactly is plaque? Plaque is a soft and sticky substance that builds up on your teeth containing countless bacteria. The bacteria in plaque serves to break down your tooth’s enamel and contributes to the onset of tooth decay. Today, we take a closer look at how plaque forms and how you can prevent it from building up.

How Does Plaque Form?

Plaque is a result of the bacteria that live in our mouth. These bacteria use ingredients in our saliva and the foods we eat to grow, and the result it the formation of plaque. When we eat, the bacteria in plaque uses the sugars in the food to grow, and this process produces acids that can eat away at your tooth’s enamel. Repeated acid attacks can cause the enamel to break down to the point where a cavity forms.

Plaque that is not regularly removed can eventually harden and turn into what’s known as tartar. Brushing, flossing and removing tartar becomes harder as tartar collects in the gum line, so try to remove plaque before it hardens. Left untreated, tartar can irritate your gums and cause them to become red, swollen or bleed when brushing. When this happens, you’re suffering from gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease involves a bacterial infection in your mouth that can lead to receding gumlines and tooth loss, so stop this problem at the first stage by helping remove plaque from your teeth.

Getting Rid of Plaque

So if you want to prevent plaque buildup or the problems it can cause down the road, you have to take some proactive steps. Here are some ways you can work to prevent plaque buildup:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Since plaque is always forming, regularly brushing in the morning and evening can help stop it from developing throughout the day.
• Floss between your teeth. Your toothbrush bristles can’t always reach between your teeth, so be sure to floss to remove plaque from hard to reach places.
• Be smart about mouthwashes. Mouthwashes are great in addition to a comprehensive oral health plan, but because plaque is a sticky substance, mouthwash alone isn’t going to be able to remove it. Don’t use mouthwash in place of brushing or flossing, use it in addition for best results.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit snacking between meals. Food is obviously essential, but it can also provide more bacteria for plaque to turn into acids.
• Get regular dental cleanings. A professional dental cleaning can remove plaque and any built-up tartar to help prevent the onset of gingivitis.

Do your part to help keep potentially damaging plaque off your teeth’s surfaces by following the above tips, and if you need to make an appointment for your next dental cleaning, click here or call Dr. Brooks’ office today at (952) 888-3200.

Healthy Snacks

5 Healthy Summer Snacks For Your Teeth

If you’re asked to bring a dish to the family reunion or the backyard barbeque, you might think that chips and dip or a dessert are the safest option. While they may be a popular option at the picnic, they certainly aren’t the safest option for your teeth. In today’s blog, we share five summer snacks you can bring to the next outing that are healthier on your teeth and will still have people coming back for second helpings.

Teeth-Friendly Summer Snacks

Here’s a look at five snack substitutes to keep in mind this summer:

• Crunchy Fruits and Veggies – People like to have a little crunch on their plate, and oftentimes that comes in the form of chips. Chewed up chips often settle between our teeth and can provide a perfect breeding ground for cavity causing bacteria. Instead of bringing potato chips, bring some crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, peppers, celery sticks or carrots. These can provide the crunch without increasing your cavity risk (and without some extra calories!)
• Cheese Platter – Maybe this is more popular in the midwest, but a cheese platter is also a good option for your teeth. This dairy product is low in sugar and rich in calcium and phosphorous, both of which can help to strengthen your enamel. Dairy products have also been linked to a reduced likelihood of gum disease, so bring a cheese platter to your next outing.
• Seedless Fruits – Fruits can be a healthier option than desserts or other snacks, but some fruits are better for your teeth than others. Choose seedless options like seedless grapes, watermelon, oranges or kiwis. These fruits are a good source of water, and the water content helps to dilute the sugars in the fruit.
• Nut Mix – Nuts are a good source of protein and healthy fats, and this combination makes them a good snack for your teeth. Protein and phosphorous are essential for healthy tooth enamel, so bring a nut mix to your next outing.
• Water – It’s easy to forget about water when we’re thinking about snacks, but water is the best option for your teeth. It helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria that can lead to plaque and decay, so make sure there’s a water option available at the next gathering.

So next time you’re asked to bring a dish to pass, skip the soda and dessert and bring a teeth-friendly option instead. For more information about how your diet affects your teeth, or if you need to make an appointment with Dr. Brooks, click here or call us today at (952) 888-3200.

Conclusion

Maintaining good oral health is essential not only for a beautiful smile but also for your overall well-being. By understanding the link between oral health and conditions like stroke risk, dental plaque formation, and making smart choices about snacks, you can take proactive steps to keep your mouth healthy.

Remember to brush and floss daily, visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, and make wise dietary choices to support your oral health. By doing so, you can reduce your risk of dental issues, improve your overall health, and enjoy a confident smile for years to come.

If you have any questions about oral health, need advice on dental care, or want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brooks, don't hesitate to contact us at (952) 888-3200 or click here to visit our website.