Big 5

There are plenty of things we do that can cause damage to the health of our gums and teeth. Here is a list of the big five items you want to avoid to protect your smile for a lifetime. When you brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly, you are more likely, says Dr. Denine Rice,  to keep all of your teeth for a lifetime. 

1. Avoid Tobacco in any form. Smokeless tobacco posses some of the same risks as cigarettes. It not only causes staining on the teeth, but also increases your risk for gum disease, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
2. No surprise that sugar is a major problem for your mouth. The longer sugar stays on the teeth the more likely it is to mix with bacteria in the mouth and turn to plaque, which leads to decay.
3. Vigorous brushing. While you may think brushing industriously helps to remove food from the surface of your teeth, you can, in fact, can be doing more damage then good. Brushing diligently at the gum line of your teeth can cause your gums to recede leaving more of your tooth exposed and causing your teeth to become loose.
4. Dentures. Unfortunately, dentures sit on top of the gums, not in the bone. Dentures will replace teeth, but do not replace the roots, and the other structures of your teeth. Without the root structures, eventually you can be impacted by your face sagging causing you to look older than you are.
5. Not flossing. One third of Americans admit they do not floss. This has the largest impact on the overall health of your gums. Without flossing properly food sits between the teeth and cause decay and periodontal disease.

For more information on your gum health, contact Dr. Rice & her team today.  

Smoking Addiction

Smoking can be a difficult addiction to break, however with the New Year here, now is your time. While E-cigarettes seem like a healthier alternative to picking up and smoking a regular cigarette, it is not a better alternative for your teeth. E-cigarette companies are making the argument that the vapor you are inhaling is a real life healthy alternative that does not cause cancer, but e-cigarettes still contain nicotine.

Nicotine reduces saliva in the mouth. Reduced saliva causes food to stay on the teeth longer. The more time that food is stuck to the surface of your teeth the longer opportunity there is for it to attack the enamel, causing decay, periodontal disease and cavities.  The negative affects of nicotine doesn’t stop there, it also inhibits the body from regenerating healthy cells and fighting off disease.

While companies are marketing that e-cigarettes do not contain poisonous chemicals in them and are therefore healthy for everyone, the exact opposite is true. In a study completed by France’s National Consumer’s institute they found that there were in-fact other chemicals in the cigarette that are very dangerous such as formaldehyde and diethylene glycol.  

While research is still on the fence about the risks of this type of cigarette, the FDA has not approved it. Dentist, Dr. Denine Rice, suggests that these are not a healthy alternative for smoking and should be avoided. If you need help quitting smoking there are safer and healthier choices. Contact her office today for support.

Betel Quid

Smokeless Tobacco

There are a variety of types of smoke less tobacco including a type called betel quid. It is also called gutka, ghutka, or gutkha and dip. While some individuals may think that betel quid does not have negative consequences to your oral health, in fact research suggests that there are multiple negative consequences to this type of tobacco. 

Betel quid is a combination of betel leaf, areca nut, and slaked lime. In some countries individuals combine these ingredients with tobacco. There may also be other ingredients and flavorings added to this such as spices and sweeteners.

"No matter what is added there are consequences to individuals who use betel quid," says Dr. Rice. It has been tied to a variety of cancers including esophagus cancer and other oral cancers. The tobacco can cause white lesions in the mouth called leukoplakia.  These white spots do not come off when you brush.

An individual may also develop OSF, or Oral submucous fibrosis. If you have this condition you may notice a precancerous lesion that hardens the soft pink tissue that lines the inside of the mouth. Dr. Denine Rice says, "The lesion can impact your ability to open your mouth and may require surgery in order to cut the bands."

Some individuals say they use betel quid as a way to relax, unfortunately this substance when used is not a healthy habit. Once it is placed in the mouth and between the lips, the toxic substance mixes with your saliva and negatively impacts your health. While the cancerous lesions start in the mouth, they can quickly spread to other parts of your body.