Anti-aging Wellness

Anti-Aging and Wellness – the mouth body connection

A healthy mouth helps to protect your overall wellness

As a contributing factor in your overall health, a healthy mouth will help keep you feeling and looking younger, longer.

Science-based evidence confirms that your oral health is connected to many other health conditions. The mouth is a normal and natural breeding ground for bacteria. If left unattended, harmful bacteria can grow out of control and lead to gum disease, which in turn releases bacteria into your bloodstream.

This may trigger many other problems in the body such as:

• heart disease
• stroke
• diabetes
• lower birth weight
• premature babies
• oral cancer

You can control bacteria and keep your gums healthy with brushing, flossing and regular dental visits. In addition, good oral care protects natural tooth structure by preserving the bone around your teeth, keeping your teeth strong and preventing unnecessary tooth loss. On a recent episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg talks about her personal oral dilemma due to the fact that she didn’t take better care of her teeth. See Whoopi’s dental woes.

Risk factors for gum disease, poor tooth structure and compromised mouth health

• Research points to the erosive and softening effects of many commercially sold beverages and even some abrasive forms of toothpaste. Examples are carbonated sodas, energy drinks, sports recovery beverages and many bleaching toothpastes.
• Over flossing and excessive vigorous brushing or poorly fitted dental appliances may injure teeth and gums
• If you have a family member with periodontal disease or cavities, their bacteria can be transmitted through saliva.
• The wrong fillings – choosing the right filling makes your teeth last longer and saves on costs to your teeth down the road.
• Bad bites affect not only the wear and tear on and appearance of your teeth and smile, but also have much to do with recurrent headaches and neck and shoulder pain. A bad bite shows in your face because your facial muscles are stressed to compensate for your bite. A proper bite means facial muscles are relaxed, wrinkles are less visible, and you have a happier, more youthful look overall.
• Oral cancer is believed to be spreading in younger age groups due to the HPV virus. When finally detected by the usual visual exam, 90% prove to be malignant. Early detection of oral cancer has a 90% success rate, and prevents severe and disfiguring surgical treatment and potential loss of life (the five-year recurrence is still very high.)
• Smoking, diabetes, pregnancy and chronic illness are risk factors
• Cortisone, birth control pills, medication used to treat high blood pressure, seizures or cancer can worsen gum disease

Conserve more of what nature gave you with minimally invasive dental techniques.

Conservative dental care is focused on preserving as much of your natural tooth and gum structure as possible. New minimally invasive dental techniques enable us to skillfully and accurately perform the necessary work on teeth and gums, while being less invasive and ultra conservative.

Laser dentistry - Using the state-of-the-art Waterlase MD™, cavities and gum abnormalities are treated gently and conservatively. Even a root canal can be accomplished with laser dentistry.

DURAthin® Veneers - DURAthin® Veneers, as thin as a contact lens, adhere directly to your teeth without any drilling, grinding or shaving.

Bonding – An ultra-thin, tooth-colored material is applied to the surface of the tooth. Bonding covers discoloration, repairs chips, breaks and cracks, and closes gaps between teeth.

Six Month Orthodontics – Few adults like the thought of wearing braces, but with short-term orthodontics or STO, we can discreetly straighten crooked teeth by improving the symmetry of your smile in six months or less! The STO technique is gentle, conservative and effective for 95% of adults.

Microscopic dentistry - Our practice has embraced the use of microscopes and magnification to allow us to see what most dentists cannot see under normal circumstances. Not only can we see problems when they are very small, treating your teeth earlier and helping them to last a lot longer, we can improve the precision and accuracy of our care for you.

Gum treatment - A receding gumline that exposes roots will make your teeth look too long, and make you look older. Gum tissue redesign or sculpting performed with the amazing Waterlase MD™ laser can correct any of these smile concerns –often without anesthesia or drilling!

Stay healthy. Feel better. Live longer.

Good dental practices, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and abstaining from tobacco products all contribute to a delicate but resilient balance in your overall health, comfort and appearance.

At Flax Dental, we are here to help you conserve the health of your natural teeth and smile because we want you and your smile to last a lifetime. Ask us about keeping your mouth—and the rest of you, happy and healthy.