November 20th, 2019
Flossing Ads that Will Make You Smile (And Floss!)
Flossing: it’s so important because it removes plaque in-between your teeth.
November 6th, 2019
Improve Your Oral Health By Improving Your Posture
Remember when mom used to say, “Sit up straight!?”
Well, she wasn’t kidding, and she was right about the importance of posture: it can actually have quite a few negative effects on your health when you have poor posture.
Having poor posture can put lots of undue stress on the body, but it actually can lead to negative health consequences you may not have even been aware of. Here are just a few ways that poor posture can affect your health over time:
It can impact your oral heath
You may be saying, “How can that be?” First, think of just how many things we do each day can impact what we call “posture.”
Do you look down at your phone when texting or when using apps? (Consider how some people use their phones more than 4 hours per day; that’s four hours where your head is putting a strain on your neck, back, and spine.)
Do you find yourself waking up in pain after some nights of sleep—a sign you could have poor posture even throughout the night? Do you know if your workstation is set up to be as ergonomically correct as possible?
If and when you slouch, you do tend to push your lower jaw forward. In turn, that can put pressure on your spine. Over time—just like many things with our health—this can contribute to a bite becoming misaligned. It can also mean your teeth do not align as they once did or as they should.
Your jaw can then try to compensate, which can cause further damage and can even damage the teeth in your mouth if left unchecked. Another issue that can at times be a result (or associated with) poor posture is TMJ Disorder. This is when people have issues or problems with their jaw and the muscles in your face that control it. (Ask us for more information on TMJ Disorder and TMJ-related pain/disorders.)
It can result in back pain
This one is probably not so surprising. It’s one of the most shared effects of bad posture and chronic back pain is, unfortunately, quite common. Whether it is pressure on the spine, disc generation, or a combination of things, poor posture can be at the root of many back aches and pains.
It can lead to poor digestion
Do you notice you are slouching over your desk each day if you work a job that requires you to sit at a desk? Over time, that kind of slouched posture can compress your abdominal organs and negatively impact the way your metabolism and digestion naturally occurs.
It can make arthritis worse
Over time, some people can experience mis-alignment of your spine or knees due to poor posture. Think of it this way: you’re adding pressure to one part of the joint and that can cause pain. That can worsen arthritis of the knees or even in other areas of the body. Ouch!
It can pinch nerves
If your spine, bones, and surrounding tissue start to adapt because of your bad posture, you can experience pain when the skeletal systems comes into contact with the surrounding nerves. Just as it sounds, that nerve is being pinched—and you will no doubt feel the pain as a result!
It can impact mood
Who would willingly do something that could negatively impact their mood?! Not us! Research has shown evidence that poor posture can negatively affect your mood—or at least, the other way around—where good posture can boost your mood (1).
The point is: our bodies are working optimally when we have good posture, and our mood is just one more way our bodies can be telling us we need to adjust something.
Good Posture Is Good for Your Oral Health
Good posture promotes your overall health and it also promotes a healthy smile. It also can help you combat certain jaw-related issues, too.
To work against doing any kind of damage to your teeth or jaw, focus on first setting up your workstation so that you aren’t looking down to your work or to your computer. You can also take these steps to work towards good posture:
- No matter what you do for work, take breaks during the day and when possible, take a walk
- Stretch, stretch, stretch! You want to do all you can to work against any slouching or positions your body is in that contribute to poor posture
- Work in an exercise routine that builds a strong foundation (or core) and posture
- Watch the amount of time you put your head downwards towards your phone to scroll through social media, to check email, or to text. That’s a lot of pressure on your neck!
Wondering if you’re practicing good posture while you read this? This isn’t an exhaustive or comprehensive list, but some quick tips that you can use:
- First and foremost, sit up straight!
- In general, your line of sight should be level with the top of your computer monitor.
- Lift your chest, pull your shoulder blades back and make sure they are down.
- Aim for your feet to be flat on the floor if you are sitting.
- If you are sitting with a keyboard, your elbows can be at a near-90 degree angle when your fingers are in the typing position in the home row of the keyboard; that helps to put the least amount of stress on your muscles.
- At the same time, you want to keep your stomach muscles tight or “activated”
- If sitting, your hips can be lined up with your ears.
- Make sure you are not leaning towards one half of your body or favoring one half of your body over the other.
Looking for a New Dentist? Give Hagen Dental Practice a Call
We value making sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit just as much as we value the health of your pearly whites—and we’ll do everything we can to make you and your entire family feel at home.
We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website here for convenient online scheduling!
Source:
October 23rd, 2019
10 Oral Health Memes to Make You Laugh Out Loud
We’re serious about your oral health—but not TOO serious to be able to see the humor in what we do! As such, here are 10 playful oral health memes we hope can make you smile:
1. Maybe I can make up for not brushing?
2. That’s a win!
3. Bring on the tooth fairy!
4. Well, we’d have to agree…
5. What kind of filling!?
6. One for the parents…
7. No list would be complete without a dinosaur meme…
8. A bit of a misunderstanding?
9. Because who doesn’t love Ryan Reynolds…
10. We never thought of that…but so true!
Hagen Dental Practice Is Proudly Serving Cincinnati, Ohio
At Hagen Dental, we help you achieve the dream smile you’ve always wanted. We’re here to provide you with compassionate, gentle, personalized care. Click here to schedule your next appointment or call us at (513) 251-5500.
October 14th, 2019
Get Wise About Wisdom Teeth
In the world of dentistry, wisdom teeth are a hot topic. But what’s all the buzz about?
We’re here to fill you in!
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
What makes wisdom teeth different from your other pearly whites? Easy. They’re wiser!
It might sound funny, but it’s actually true. Out of all of your teeth, your wisdom teeth take the longest time to develop, and since you’re wiser when they appear…well, you get it!
Most people don’t develop them until their late teens or early twenties. Being the third and final set of molars to come in, they’re found in the very back of the mouth, and typically grow in pairs—two on the top of the mouth and two on the bottom (3).
Although they might be “wiser,” that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re important. Similar to your appendix, your wisdom teeth don’t serve an essential purpose. They’re just kind of… there. In fact, some people may never develop them at all.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Often times, wisdom teeth can be impacted. This occurs when they can’t grow normally or in a way that is optimal for your mouth. Because they’re the last to develop, this usually means that they have to fight for a spot in your mouth, sometimes crowding other teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth may grow in at a funny angle, disrupt other teeth, or even become stuck under the gum. As you can imagine, this can cause issues in the rest of your mouth (1).
How You’ll Know if it’s Time to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Because you don’t necessarily need your wisdom teeth, it’s common practice to get them removed if they’re bothering you or if they are going to cause changes we don’t want in the mouth.
So how do you know if you should get yours removed? There are few things to look out for:
- Pain. If you’re experiencing pain in your mouth of any sort, it’s a good idea to get it checked out!
- Gum Issues. Swollen or bleeding gums? That’s out of the ordinary.
- Bad breath. We’re not talking about morning breath. If you’re regularly brushing and flossing, and still dealing with chronic bad breath, it might be time to get your wisdom teeth examined (3).
How Wisdom Teeth Removal Works
The process of removing your wisdom teeth is probably a lot simpler than you may think. And the best part? Once they’re removed, you can kiss all of those issues goodbye!
For starters, you’ll want to schedule an exam with us.
Dr. Hagen will take an X-ray of your wisdom teeth to get a better idea of how they’re positioned, why they’re causing issues, and a few other key details. After this, we’ll develop a plan best fit for your case specifically.
From there, you’ll set an appointment to remove the teeth.
Don’t fret–it doesn’t hurt! Depending on the severity of how your wisdom teeth are impacted, you’ll most likely be put under some form of local anesthetics. Once your mouth is numb, we typically will carefully loosen and disconnect the tissue surrounding your wisdom teeth. This will make removing the teeth a very smooth procedure, one that really requires more focus than force! (2)
Now the teeth have been removed…
It is common to experience mild swelling, bruising, and pain after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. Although the recovery process looks a little different for everyone, it’s usually only a few days of discomfort before you’re back to normal. In some cases, you may be prescribed mild medication to help ease the pain (2).
The last important thing to know? Stay away from straws.
It’s best to avoid straws for about two weeks after your procedure. Using a straw can cause what’s called a dry socket, a painful condition in which the bare bones and nerves near the extraction become exposed (2). Pay attention to any other specific recommendations your dentist gives to you at this time, too.
Schedule an Appointment with Hagen Dental
Unsure about your wisdom teeth? We’re here to help. We do all we can to deliver gentle, personalized care so you always feel comfortable—every step of the way.
We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental! Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button here to schedule your next visit.
Sources:
October 8th, 2019
Bottled Water vs. Tap Water: Which One Is Better for Your Teeth?
Tap water versus bottled water: what’s the better choice for your health?
To answer that question, let’s first look at the benefit of tap water and then some other top factors to consider.
Water: Why Drink More?
One thing is evident, whether or not you drink bottled water or tap: We need water to keep our metabolisms working properly, for our organs to function, and so that we can control our body temperature.
Water is also critical to lubricate our joints, to help move nutrients through the body, and it ensures oxygen is delivered optimally throughout the body. As you can see, the list goes on and on as to why water is so important.
That’s why even if you’re drinking bottled water, instead of tap, it’s still going to be beneficial to your health. Let’s keep looking at the differences between tap water and bottled, and why you make want to stick with tap water as your choice to hydrate properly.
Fluoride in Your Tap Water
Of course one of the biggest differences between tap water and bottled water is fluoride. More than 70 years of scientific research has consistently shown the benefits of (small amounts of) fluoride being added to our water (1).
Not only is an optimal level of fluoride in community water safe and effective, it helps us to prevent tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. That’s a huge amount! Still skeptical? Also remember that fluoride is found in the great majority of toothpastes and mouthwashes today (1).
That’s part of why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, and it just goes to show why tap water is a great choice when it comes to hydration for your family (1).
One thing of note: you may have a home filter that you use with your tap water supply. Home filters may or may not remove the fluoride that’s been added to your water. Look to your specific brand or manufacturer for more information.
Water From a Bottle
Today there are quite a few options when it comes to “bottled water.” Those include mineral, artesian, sparkling, spring, and purified water…and that list seems to continue to grow!
With that said, keep in mind water is pretty much always beneficial for our health—even if that means you’re going for a water that does not have fluoride in it. (After all, the body is made up of 60 percent water.) We’re just pointing out that there are quite a few benefits to choosing tap water over bottled water since it doesn’t contain cavity-fighting fluoride!
That Goes for Kids, Too
Remember, fluoride is going to be one of the most efficient ways to prevent one of the most common childhood diseases – tooth decay. An estimated 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness and water fluoridation helps fight this (1)!
One thing of note is how often your children are grabbing bottled water versus drinking tap water. That could mean that they don’t get the benefits of fluoride as often as they could.
In order to make sure children are getting the benefits of fluoride in their water, be sure they can refresh with tap water when possible, unless a dentist or physician has told you otherwise.
Here’a a tip: If you just can’t seem to break the habit of using bottled water, aim to try to refill your bottle one or two times with fluoride for every bottle you drink that doesn’t have tap water in it.
The Verdict: Drink Up!
The real verdict is that water is great for your teeth and for your body to operate optimally. With that said, unless in certain situations, drinking tap water is a great solution because It contains fluoride and is therefore strengthening your tooth enamel while you hydrate.
Book Your Appointment with Hagen Dental Practice Today
At Hagen Dental, your dream smile is within reach! We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding and we’re here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call us today at (513) 251-5500 or book online on our website here.
Source:
October 3rd, 2019
This Is How Forensic Dentistry Works
When you think about dentistry, what first comes to mind is probably a routine check-up at the dentist’s office (and we love that!)
But have you ever thought about the angles of dentistry beyond that? Just like any other industry, there are a number of different ways in which dentistry can play an important role in our lives in other ways.
One of those ways is in forensics! Any Law & Order: SVU fans? You’ll want to keep reading…
What IS Forensic Dentistry?
We’re pretty confident that you’ve heard of forensics before—but in case you haven’t, it’s simply the process of applying scientific techniques to assist in criminal justice efforts. A key part of this involves the proper handling and analysis of physical evidence (1).
As you might imagine, the world of forensics has come a long way in recent years…and it’s pretty cool stuff!
So how does dentistry play a role in any of this? Put simply, teeth are actually a pretty important part of physical evidence. Just like your fingerprints, your teeth are unique to only you. In fact, even identical twins have different sets of teeth.
Because we all have different personal habits, the type of wear and tear on our teeth differs from person to person. Grinding your teeth, playing an instrument, or clenching your jaw are just a few examples of this “wear and tear.” In turn, this makes our teeth and our teeth marks look very unique (2).
Because of this, criminal justice professionals can use dentistry as an eye-opening investigation tool. These professionals are called forensic odontologists. They have two primary jobs: to identify people by their teeth and to examine any bite marks discovered on a crime scene. They’re not only educated in the realm of criminal justice practices, but they’re especially well-versed in the anatomy of our teeth.
Did you know that we have different types of teeth, and among those different types, there are different surfaces on each tooth? With the help of dental records, X-rays, and a few other technological tools, forensic odontologists are able to analyze and make sense of these intricate surfaces.
How Forensic Dentistry Helps Us
Looking at the bigger picture, forensic dentistry makes the world a safer place! Without the hard work of forensic odontologists, our law enforcement would have a much harder time making any progress within their investigations.
Forensic dentistry can help uncover someone’s age, race, occupation, or even socioeconomic status–all important keys in solving a crime! (4) Every effort in a criminal investigation serves as an important piece to solving the puzzle.
Who knew that dentistry would be such an important one? Now, you do!
Hagen Dental Practice Would Love to Help You
Although a visit to our office may not feel as exciting as a CSI episode, we’d still like to think it’s pretty exciting. We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental! We’re here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button here to schedule your next visit.
Sources:
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/forensic%20science
- https://www.thehealthy.com/bodies/unique-body-parts/
- https://science.howstuffworks.com/forensic-dentistry3.htm
- https://www.affiliateddentists.com/info/forensic-dentistry-crime-solving/
Tags: best dentist cincinnati, Cincinnati dental, cincinnati ohio dentist reviews, clean teeth, dentist office, dentistry, family dentist in cincinnati, forensic dentistry, healthy teeth, mouth health, tooth health
September 19th, 2019
Why Do Pirates Have Such Bad Teeth?
Looting, stealing, partying, and searching for unfound treasure….that’s all in a “day in the life” of a Pirate!
It’s no wonder, then, that oral hygiene came at the bottom of the list for Pirates. And, if you’ve seen any movie that features Pirates, you’ve likely noticed the depiction of their teeth as yellow, rotting, or altogether missing—which isn’t too far from the truth…
In honor of “International Talk Like a Pirate Day” we thought we’d take a closer look at the truth behind Pirate’s personal hygiene.
Stepping Back: A Closer Look at Pirates
When we talk about pirates, we’re referring to people who would rob or attack others on boat—in most cases. That violence would happen by other ship-borne attackers looking for money, jewelry, or anything they could get their hands on—including so-called “treasure”!
Many people are familiar with Pirates from movies, especially thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Usually, these movies do an accurate job of capturing how this kind of violence and crime would occur. With that said, some of them rely on a few stereotype portrayals of how Pirates talked and dressed, such as peglegs, parrots, and treasure maps…
The Golden Age of Piracy
The earliest documented piracy dates back to 14th century, and many acts of piracy happened during the 15th century (1). The classic era of piracy that many know about (and is covered most often in books and movies) occurred in the Caribbean. That lasted from around 1650 until the mid-1720s.
In part, that’s because during that time, France, England and the United Provinces were all developing empires and trade by sea was common. In other words, the economy of that time depended on resources being moved via ship. Since money and resources were traveling this way, it provided and opportunity for pirates to attempt to attack those ships in order to steal those very resources (2).
A Pirate’s Life
Historians say that often, Pirates were people who came from poverty and that they—early on in life—found this was a way to survive and make a living. It’s also believed that others were captured during raids or battles and forced to work on the pirates’ ship as a result.
With a livelihood based on stealing and a life that wasn’t fancy or decadent by any means, what did oral health even look like for Pirates?
Here are 4 things that might have contributed to poor oral health for Pirates:
1. Lack of consistent hydration with water.
One of the best things about water is how it natural cleanses our mouth. Since our bodies are 60 percent water, it also keeps our body working properly and helps our body deliver nutrients in the best way possible.
Yes, Pirates likely had the ability to fill up with tons of water barrels, but at times, the water was likely limited, not high quality, or it wasn’t helping to improve their overall health and oral health.
Without that kind of access to clean water we have today (not to mention it certainly was not fluorinated), Pirates’ health ultimately suffered.
2. Diet and alcohol consumption.
Food for Pirates likely included salted meat, sea biscuits (a hard bread meant to last long periods of time), or even bone soup, as a few examples. If they ate bread that ended up “stuck” on their teeth for long periods of time, that would have been a breeding ground for bacteria in their mouth, resulting major, fast-forming dental decay.
Alcohol consumption is also not good for teeth, and if they smoked—which it is believed they did—it would have also contributed to oral health decay and other issues.
3. A major deficiency in vitamin C.
Scurvy is a disease that results from a major lack of Vitamin C. When it happens, people experience decreased red blood cells, gum disease, changes to their hair, and bleeding from the skin.
This deficiency in vitamin C, which is common for people who live at sea, would have only worsened those issues, and could have heavily contributed to tooth loss. It’s believed to have been very common for sailors during this time period, especially since foods that combat scurvy—
lemons, limes, broccoli, chili peppers, guava, kiwifruit, oranges, strawberries, etc.—couldn’t be help on ships for long periods of time.
4. Lack of modern knowledge.
If a tooth hurt back then, Pirates probably…well, pulled it. Arrrr!
Today we use modern toothbrushes and floss because we know the impact good oral health habits can have on our teeth, especially when those habits compound over time. Pirates back then may have had chewing sticks to help remove plaque, but they certainly did not regularly brush their teeth or floss. And, just as you may have guessed, they had no access to professional dental cleaning at that time! Dentistry as we know it has come a long way!
Have Some Fun This International ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’
Ultimately, it’s clear that Pirates didn’t have the knowledge or the ability to take care of their teeth as we do today…Luckily, today we know the benefits of properly taking care of our teeth and we’re grateful we have the ability to do so. (And, we’re able to access professional dentistry to help us receive the best oral health care possible in a comfortable, safe environment.)
Its’ been said that on “Talk Like a Pirate Day” this month, you’re encouraged to use phrases like “Ahoy, Mates!”, “Ahoy, Matey” or even, “Ahoy, me hearties!” Those are just a few common phrases that are said to have been used back in the Golden Age of Piracy, even though the actual use might have been slightly different. Whether or not you end up using those phrases or other ones is up to you (3)!
Sources:
- https://books.google.com/books?id=jw7OWyAN–QC
- Nigel Cawthorne (2005), Pirates: An Illustrated History, Arturus Publishing Ltd., 2005, p. 65.
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-talk-like-a-pirate/
September 7th, 2019
7 Foods Your Dental Care Team Avoids
Much of the time we focus on the foods that are good for your teeth. But what about the foods that we should try to avoid when possible?
Here are a few of the foods and beverages that the Hagen Dental team aims to avoid.
1. Sour candies
You’re probably not too surprised to see candy on the list! Sour candies are unique in that the acids can be extra hard on your teeth, though!
Sometimes the candy has such a low pH level that it can burn people’s cheeks and gums; that shows you just how damaging and intense the acid can be in your mouth.
A lot of times sour candies are also chewy, and so they end up staying on your teeth an extended time, making the damage to the enamel even more prolonged. Talk about an acid attack…
2. Certain granola bars or power bars
Depending on the granola bar, certain brands have a super high sugar content, aimed to give people some energy quick.
That may or may not fit your nutrition goals, but be aware of what’s really in that granola bar. If you’re training for a long race or a marathon, you may be well aware of what you’re eating; otherwise, be aware that some on-the-go bars are truly packed with extra sugar.
Either way, with that kind of high sugar content, be aware of how you’re snacking and how often you’re eating those granola bards. If and when that granola bar is a stickier consistency, you can see a sudden increase in tooth decay and not even realize the reason.
What can you do instead? When you’re able to, make your own portable snacks or aim for fresh fruit or dairy, when appropriate. Ask us if you have more questions on how certain sticky, sugar-rich granola bars can be a problem for you or your family.
3. Sports drinks with sugar
It may surprise you to learn how much sugar certain sports drinks have, which is part of the reason we avoid them. Sipping on those drinks lets the sugar sit on the teeth for hours to come, promoting tooth decay in the process.
Often times people are extra dehydrated when consuming sports drinks, and they drink them instead of water—which doesn’t do you any favors, either. Stick with the water and your teeth will thank you.
4. Coffee drinks with lots of sugar
How much sugar are you adding in to your coffee? Or maybe your coffee drink of choice comes with sugar added and so you aren’t the one necessarily seeing the sugar go in. Coating the teeth with sugar can lead to tooth decay, and it’s going to be made worse if you tend to sip your coffee drink throughout the morning or day.
IF you can’t go without sugar, try to limit the amount of coffee you drink or try to slowly reduce the amount of sugar you’re adding. Your teeth and gums will thank you in the long run!
5. Sticky and sweet treats
Caramel treats anyone? Caramel and other sticky and sweet treats are a dream for the bacteria in our mouths which feed off those sugars. A result of that process is an acid that’s produced, and that acid creates little holes in the enamel. With that kind of knowledge—and seeing the kind of damage caramels and other sticky sweets can have—you can understand why we tend to avoid those treats.
If those cling-on sweets are a consistent way of eating, that’s when major and lasting damage can occur, so do your best to minimize those treats or to replace them with a healthier “treat” that’s still satisfying for you.
6. Soft drinks (or pop, depending on where you live)
Soft drinks, soda, pop—no matter what you call it, the reality is that these carbonated drinks should be consumed in moderation for a number of reasons. Pop tends to have a double dose of sugar and acid. By reading this far, you know just how damaging that can be on your teeth and gums!
Second, some soft drinks also contain phosphoric acid, and that also makes dental erosion worse. All the more reason to limit your consumption.
Did you ever see the experiment where a penny is placed in soda? That will show you just how corrosive pop can be…
7. Super starchy and processed snacks
Processed muffins, chips, bagels, crackers, fries, certain cereals…what do these (typically) have in common? They tend to be highly refined and/or high in starch. Inside the mouth, as you chew, your body breaks down these types of starches into sugar. That almost-gummy-like paste can get stuck in the crevices between your teeth, and the problem is, it tends to stay on your teeth for hours, making your teeth prone to decay.
As you can imagine, over time, refined snacks like these can do some major damage to your teeth.
Dental Care At Hagen Dental Practice: We’re Here for Your Entire Family
Are we saying you have to avoid these food and drink choices, too? Absolutely not! It’s just a good idea to know what you want to tend to avoid for optimal oral health. Remember that this post is meant to help guide you make better decisions, and it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice.
At Hagen Dental Practice, we’re focused on helping you improve your overall health. We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental! We’re here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button here to schedule your next visit.
August 15th, 2019
Break a Sweat: How Hagen Dental Practice Is Staying Active this Summer
We’re about your total health at Hagen Dental. Part of that is about getting in regular exercise!
Check out the infographic below to see how we’re getting in some activity this summer!
August 5th, 2019
Travel Tips for Your Teeth
Are you getting in another vacation before the school year starts up again?
Join Us
 |
 |
 |
 |