September 19th, 2019
Category: dental health
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
Category: cincinnati dentist
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
Category: cincinnati dentist
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
Category: cincinnati dentist
Are you getting in another vacation before the school year starts up again?
July 26th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
These days, Alexa can do so much: you can order items right from Amazon, control the lights in your home, order food quickly, stream the music you want to hear…the list goes on and on!
That’s made possible partly by “skills”—which just refers to voice-driven capabilities that enhance and personalize your Alexa device.
But what about oral health? Mostly meant for kids, here we take a look at just a few fun and helpful skills available today that can help you improve your oral health habits:
“Alexa, ask Toothbrush Timer to begin brushing”
Looking for a great way to make sure kids of any age get in 2 minutes of brushing? With this skill, kids are more likely to brush for the recommended 2 full minutes. It prompts you to switch to different parts of your mouth every 30 seconds and provides some encouragement along the way, too.
“Alexa, ask the Tooth Fairy to floss my teeth”
That’s right, now you can have the Tooth Fairy offer up words of encouragement and songs while your kids brush or floss, or even while they use mouthwash!
The Tooth Fairy will even share some facts about teeth and dental care while you floss, making it a fun routine for all.
“Alexa, start Chompers”
Have kids that are between the ages of 3 and 7? Make tooth time much easier with this morning and night tooth brushing show!
When it’s time for your family to brush teeth, say “Alexa, start Chompers.” Kids will hear jokes, riddles, stories, fun facts, silly songs and more, that’ll keep them giggling — and brushing — for the full two minutes that you want them to be brushing.
To help your family build good brushing habits, Chompers counts the times you brush and celebrates your streaks, too. Chompers will have kids reminding parents that it’s time to brush. Two thumbs up for that!
“Alexa, open dental facts”
This one, called the Dental Fact Skill, is for kids who want to be entertained. It includes short, brief facts about dental care. Ever wonder about what is going on in your mouth? This skill will include basic and odd facts your kids might want to know!
“Alexa start toothbrush adventure”
What kid—or person for that matter—doesn’t love the idea of an adventure? Say “Begin” when prompted, and Alexa will play a friendly song to guide you through brushing your teeth thoroughly. Kids might think it’s fun to then “pause” when you switch to flossing. Then you’re able to turn the song—and the adventure—back on!
“Alexa, launch Toothbrush Time”
Toothbrush Time With Fun and Music is a skill that helps kids to enjoy brushing their teeth while listening to a fun tooth or toothbrush-related song. No more stressful battles and wrestling over getting your child to brush their teeth thanks to these melodies!
From Sesame Street to Dr. Bob to Tom’s of Maine, these songs are on-theme…and can help make oral health time a little more upbeat!
“Alexa, ask Mr. Bristles to read the Toothbrushing Poem”
Mr. Bristles—that is, a friendly walrus—can provide you with 10-second notices and instruction for how to switch things up while you brush. You can also ask Mr. Bristles to “read the Toothbrushing Poem” for an enthralling teeth brushing journey spanning the length of your toothbrushing. Who says brushing your teeth has to be boring?
“Alexa, ask Oral-B about teeth whitening”
With the Amazon Oral-B Skill, Alexa will guide you and your family through a thorough brushing routine. But there’s more! Oral-B skills can also answer your oral health questions through the library of helpful oral care tips. Topics include whitening (hence the skill described above) as well as other general oral health tips and insights!
“Alexa, make me smile”
After all that brushing and flossing, your smile will be looking good! Here’s a way to use Alexa to help give you reasons to smile!
When you ask Alexa to make you smile, she’ll provide a happy or surprising fact to cheer you. A copy of the fact will be sent to the Alexa app as well, in case you want to see it later.
How to Search for Other Alexa Skills
Not finding the exact skill you’re looking for? You can search for skills in the Alexa app and from the Alexa Skills store on the Amazon website. If you know the one you want to use, simply say: “Enable (skill name).”
To enable Alexa skills in the Alexa app, visit the menu, and then select Skills & Games. Find a skill you want to use, and then select it to open the skill detail page. Select Enable Skill, or ask Alexa to open the skill! Then you should be set to go.
Dental Care for the Whole Family
We treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental Practice! We are here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button to schedule your next visit.
July 23rd, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
How do your oral health habits stack up? Check out this infographic and see if you’re an oral health Hero or Zero!
July 5th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
The “Guess the Smiles” game is back! Take a guess based on the pearly whites you see, and then scroll down below to see if you really do know the Reds like you think you do…
- This catcher won the Gold Glove Award in 2017 and his nickname is “Barney.”
- This Cuban-born Right Fielder used to play for the Dodgers.
- This well-known player who made is debut with the Reds in 2007 is from Canada.
4. Known for his sense of humor and gold chain necklace, when he made his Reds debut, he hit a three-run home run.
5. This Venezuelan infielder can hit, run, throw, and chew gum, all at the same time, with no problem.
6. This second baseman’s real name is Ryan, but he doesn’t go by that name.
7. This pitcher was named the starter for Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates this season.
8. You often see her alongside Gapper and Mr. Redlegs!
And now, the answers…
1. Tucker Barnhart.
Photo via Tucker Barnhart’s Twitter
2. Yasiel Puig.
Photo via Yasiel Puig’s Twitter
3. Joey Votto.
Photo via public domain of Wikipedia – Blackngold29
4. Derek Dietrich.
Photo via Instagram: @32double_d
5. Eugenio Suárez.
Photo via Instagram: @reds
6. Scooter Gennett.
Photo via Instagram: @mlbeunited
7. Luis Castillo.
Photo via Instagram: @reds
8. Rosie Red.
Photo via https://sportsmascots.fandom.com/wiki/Rosie_Red_(Cincinnati_Reds)
Avoid Strikes Against Your Teeth
Baseball no doubt has had an influence on our culture, especially here in Cincinnati. One of the negative impacts, though, has unfortunately been the dangerous habit of chewing tobacco. In years past, it was popular for MLB players to chew tobacco and to model that behavior even though (we now know) how harmful smokeless tobacco is for your overall health and oral health.
More than 8 years ago, MLB stopped providing players with smokeless tobacco. Then in 2012, restrictions on smokeless tobacco (which includes chewing tobacco) were implemented for baseball players at many ballparks, including ours here in Cincinnati.
Much research has shown the negative and lasting effects of smokeless tobacco. Take for example how it has at least 27 cancer-causing chemicals, and that it is known to directly cause cancer of the mouth, lip, tongue, and pancreas.
Other effects include oral leukoplakia (white mouth lesions), gum disease, and major gum recession which can result in oral health issues like bone loss, jaw problems, or loss of teeth. There is evidence that supports the idea it increases the risks for heart disease and diabetes, among other chronic conditions.
Just as more MLB players are saying no to chewing tobacco, you can avoid strikes against your teeth and overall health by avoiding tobacco, too!
Your Top Cincinnati Dentist: Hagen Dental Practice
At Hagen Dental Practice, we treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding. We are here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button on our website to schedule your next visit.
June 25th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
One of the things that happens as we age: our health changes! And, it’s no different within our mouth…
Even though dental health is always going to vary from person to person, remember this: oral health impacts the rest of the body, which is a reminder that no matter your age, you want to keep up with your oral health habits.
Why You Want to Take Good Care of Your Teeth & Gums As You Age
Here are just a few reasons why dental care is vital for you when you’re older:
Good oral health is a weapon against heart disease. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that those who have gum disease are nearly twice as likely to have coronary artery disease or heart disease. The point is this: as research shows, there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease.
That just goes to show why taking care of your teeth and gums is a great step in also protecting yourself from heart attacks, heart disease, strokes, and more.
Good oral health helps to prevent pneumonia. Many people may not know that poor oral health habits in older adults has been linked with pneumonia. Good oral hygiene is a way to combat the kind of bacteria older adults want to avoid!
Good oral health can prevent—or help you manage—diabetes. When people have severe gum disease, the body’s ability to use insulin optimally can be impacted. In Type I diabetes, the body will not make enough insulin. On the contrary, in Type II diabetes, the body stops responding to insulin.
Gum disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, and it impacts nearly one in five people who have diabetes. As people age, poor blood sugar controls increases the risk for gum problems. When serious gum disease causes blood sugar to rise, you can see the vicious cycle at work, making diabetes harder to control and making people more susceptible to infection. Good oral health habits, especially in those with diabetes, is critical in preventing diabetes, or managing diabetes if you’ve already been diagnosed.
How to Continue to Take Care of Your Oral Health as You Age
Let’s face it, the natural process of aging can put you at risk for dental problems.
But, knowing all these reasons to continue to take care of your teeth, here is what you should know about vulnerabilities as you age—and what you can do to prevent these complications or issues from happening or worsening:
Watch the dry mouth. As we age, we can become more at-risk for having dry mouth. The first thing you can do to combat dry mouth is to stay as hydrated with water as you can throughout the day!
But the dry mouth many people have as they get older can have many causes, and for some people, even drinking more water each day doesn’t do the trick. In fact, sometimes medications result in dry mouth and sometimes certain health issues or conditions can lead to try mouth.
Whatever the case may be, stay aware and let us know if your mouth seems dry…or just more dry than normal. After all, dry mouth can really accelerate dental health issues and can result in rapid tooth decay (1, 2).
Focus on consistency with your oral health habits to avoid gum disease. Your oral health routine is critical as you age, and that should come as no surprise.
Many older adults have gum, or periodontal disease, in part because it’s not always painful until it has progressed, or advanced, to that extent (1, 2). So how do you reduce the likelihood for gum disease?
Brush your teeth every day and always before bed; Remember to floss consistently, at least once per day; Stay hydrated with water to take advantage of how water can naturally rinse away food and sugars that stick to your teeth otherwise; Use a mouthwash or rinse we recommend; Focus on nutrient-rich foods and avoid processed foods which tend to have more sugar added.
Talk to us about your tooth sensitivity, especially if you feel it’s getting worse. There can be a number of reasons why your teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold when you’re older. In general, you may have gums that have pulled back from your teeth, and your root could be exposed in areas of your mouth.
We can recommend rinses, toothpastes, and even treatments to help you deal with tooth sensitivity. In some situations, you can even seal or bond the roots, if you decide that’s a route you want to go.
We’ll be watching your gum line, but keep the lines of communication open with us to manage any extreme tooth sensitivity that’s impacting your ability to enjoy the food and drinks you love.
Keep your regular appointments with your dentist. Leaky dental filling or problematic dental fillings should be fixed right away and when you see us at least twice a year, we’re able to watch and help take care of such issues.
Plus, jaw-related issues or other problems in the mouth can also be spotted sooner, which can mean a world of difference in your mouth and for your overall health.
We’ll also be watching your gum recession and other issues you may have in the mouth each time you come in to see us. We can’t emphasize enough how important your regular dental check-up is with us, throughout your life!
Take advantage of options to manage your oral health. Yes, day in and day out habits are going to add up and help determine the state of your oral health.
But know that we can recommend certain products that will be a great fit for you based on any conditions you are at risk for. For example, if you feel like your teeth are more sensitive than ever, we can recommend sensitivity toothpaste and other options for you to help manage that issue.
Also, don’t forget that we have prescription strength fluoride rinses and gels, which are also options to help patients who may be at-risk for cavities or other specific issues. This can be a fit if you have crown or bridge work, or if there is decalcification on the teeth—just to name a few examples of where you can take advantage of special treatments and care to improve your oral health (1, 2).
Make brushing easier (you just have to speak up!). When you’re young, often times flossing and brushing is a matter of wanting to take great care of your teeth.
In older adults, things like arthritis in the hands and fingers can make these habits more challenging, however.
Despite how that might be true, keeping up with dental health is critical in avoiding issues like tooth loss, uneven jawbones, root decay, gum disease, and darkened teeth. Ask us if you are having any trouble with brushing or flossing, since there are dental aids we can recommend that make brushing and dental care easier, especially for those with arthritis or any dexterity issues (1, 2.)
Dental Care at Hagen Dental Practice
Want to learn more about dental implants? Or maybe you are looking for options to help you take care of your teeth as you age, but you don’t know what that might include! No matter what, we treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental! We are here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button to schedule your next visit.
Sources:
- https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/1-18-16-reasons-senior-dental-health-care-is-important/
- https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/oral-care-age-55-up/how-to-continue-oral-health-care-as-you-age-0814
June 11th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Looking for some family-friendly and educational activities this summer?
Look no further: the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) at Union Terminal has a new section for families that helps showcase the importance of dental health and good oral hygiene habits.
The initiative—appropriately called “Inside the Grin”—is a giant mouth (yes, you read that right!) that allows adults and kids to walk through and explore different facets of dental health.
Here’s just a few areas the exhibit focuses on:
The experience of visiting the Dentist
When you first come up to the exhibit, you’ll notice the giant mouth, yes, but once you’re inside the giant mouth, it becomes clear that the inside is also modeled after a dentist office.
Put simply: there’s a dental office IN a giant mouth. It doesn’t get better than that!
At the same time, the “office” features an interactive dentist’s chair and fun alongside educational videos on oral health. It’s great for hands-on play but also for some real lessons on how to take care of your teeth and gums.
Proper oral health habits
Kids will have a ton of fun using giant floss to floss between massive (yes, massive!) teeth.
Thanks to the enormous floss, they can see just how daily, positive oral hygiene can help ward off bacteria growth, tartar, and plaque.
The most effective way to brush your teeth
Another part of the exhibit features—you guessed it—a giant toothbrush. So not only can you practice flossing and see how floss helps to get those hard-to-reach areas, but you can use a huge toothbrush to practice the proper brushing technique.
How dental care is empowering
One thing that this exhibit shows: we have control of our own dental health, and that’s a great lesson for kids to learn. Oral healthcare SHOULD be seen in a positive light, and children don’t have to fear or worry about going to the dentist or about caring for their smiles.
Animal teeth
Kids love animals, and even this oral health exhibit delivers in this arena, too! One part of the giant mouth features a section that talks all about animal teeth. (After all, people are animals, too.) But this section includes facts about other animals’ teeth, not just humans.
Habits that can cause development issues in the mouth
The exhibit also features some other habits that kids may have and how that can impact oral health. For example: thumb sucking and pacifiers are usually okay and normal, but if those behaviors persist for too long, there can be lasting issues related to the desired development of the jaw. It can even result in speech impediments, in some cases, as the exhibit showcases. (So yes, the exhibit teaches mom and dad AND the kids a thing or two!)
Polish Up On Your Dental Knowledge with the Entire Family
Inside the Grin is a great, family-friendly activity that all can enjoy! Plus, it’s also a win-win that kids are able to see some of the results of poor oral healthcare.
After all, tooth decay is the leading chronic infectious disease in kids today but it is mostly something we can prevent.
Your Top Cincinnati Dentist
Hagen Dental is here for your entire family: whether you are a new patient or existing one, give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or schedule your next appointment with us online!
May 29th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
We’re concluding National Dental Care Month, so with that in mind, let’s cover 4 things every family should know, but may not know yet, about dental health:
1. It’s very important to keep your regular dental check-up
Your regular dental check-ups are critical appointments to keep for everyone in the family! For many people, this is twice a year, unless we’ve recommended that you come in more often.
First and foremost, we check for cavities and do regular X-rays to be sure we detect any issues or problems as early as we can. We want to avoid major issues such as tooth loss or jaw-related issues, too, and so an exam is important to prevent any decay from reaching that point.
We also examine your gum to see how healthy they are, and how much they have changed since we saw you last. This is when we measure the depth of the spaces between the teeth and gums, which helps us to know more about the exact health of your gums. The goal here is to make sure you don’t develop gum disease.
We’ll examine your tongue, throat, head, neck, and face to look for signs of cancer—which many people don’t realize is part of their regular dental check-up!
What people are more familiar with, usually, is the deep cleaning done at your visit. That’s important, too, because it removes plaque and tartar that is not possible to remove at home. If you hear us say “scaling” that’s where we remove this plaque and tartar build-up, which is why your teeth feel so clean when you leave!
Both of these components of your visit—the oral examination and the deep cleaning—are critical to protecting your oral health and preventing oral cancer. That’s why you want to do your best to never miss an appointment!
2. Be sure to tell us about your sleep apnea
Mom or Dad not getting the rest they deserve? Sleep apnea is an area impacting the quality of life for many families today. Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder in which a person has pauses in breathing, or shallow or infrequent breathing during sleep. This pattern results in a less restful sleep cycle, and can mean you wake up tired!
Since sleep is a very important part of our lives, for rejuvenation, healing, and rest, sleep apnea is a serious problem for your overall health. Airway obstruction during sleep impairs breathing, which can lead to craniofacial malformation, improper bite, and jaw deformation, among other issues related to your teeth and jaw.
What many families do not know is that we offer small, lightweight alternative devices, known as Oral Appliance Therapy, which can greatly improve sleep apnea or sleep-related issues and disorders. Oral Appliance Therapy devices are effective treatment options for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
They are custom-fit, non-invasive, quiet, easy to wear, and portable enough to be convenient for travel. The goal is to support the jaw and tongue in a forward position to help maintain an open airway.
We have tons of options for your family, so ask us to learn more! We know that each patient has a unique set of symptoms and concerns. With the oral appliance options and ability to customize for the individual, we are able to see astounding results!
Consider this: Over 90 percent of our patients who use them have had successful improvement. Even better, these appliances are more comfortable and less cumbersome than a CPAP therapy machine!
3. Good oral health habits really do start young!
A startling fact: the most common childhood disease is tooth decay. Tooth decay actually affects one in four kids in the US that are between the age of 2 and 5. When you look at children a bit older, between 12 and 15, that ratio jumps to one in two, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since this kind of tooth decay can typically be prevented with habits and dietary choices, it goes to show how starting early—brushing twice a day, flossing and keeping up with regular dental visits, to name the basics—is critically important.
A few other habits you can foster in your children at a young age:
- Drinking enough water
- Making healthy food choices when possible
- At least 2 minutes for every time you brush (two times a day)
- Regular cups instead of sippy cups when recommended by your dentist/pediatrician
- Wear a mouth guard in hands-on sports to protect your teeth and jaw
- The idea that dental health is not a chore…it can be fun!
All in all, you want your children to have confidence when it comes to their entire health—and that includes confidence when it comes to smiling—both now and in the coming years.
Recognize that your children learn a lot of positive dental habits at a young age, and the idea of going to the dentist fits into this category as well!
Another thing: some people say baby teeth “don’t matter.” Well, that’s not true! If baby teeth do decay, and as a result fall out sooner than they would have normally, the adult teeth may come in early. In that case, if they don’t have as much room as they should, problems can occur. In other words, you don’t want to mess with the natural progression of teeth in your baby’s mouth due to tooth decay.
4. Take advantage of your dental insurance
Do you have dental insurance? If so, for the great majority of people, your dental benefits re-set every single year.
Said another way, most people have dental benefits that are based on a one-year benefit period, and in most cases, that benefit period is based on our calendar year. That means at the end of the calendar year, you want to be sure your family members use them before they go away! If you don’t use them within that year, you forfeit those benefits and they don’t “carry over” until next year.
It’s never a bad idea to get to know more about your insurance policy if you have questions or if you aren’t sure how to maximize your value from your current plan. Consider calling your insurance company to ask more about the type of deductible you have, for example.
But beware: If you have a family deductible plan it will work differently than an individual plan; as a result, you could have already hit your deductible and would therefore want to know that as soon as possible. At the very least, you may want to login to your insurance company’s website online (or call in if you prefer) and see how much you have paid towards your deductible already.
Besides being accessible through your insurance company’s website, that’s also something that is often sent to you via your insurance statements. Those typically come in on a monthly basis or quarterly basis, depending on your insurance provider. We’re here to help, so be sure to ask us if you have questions.
Family Dental Care at Hagen Dental Practice
Whether you or a loved one are worried about pain, have had a past dental experience that might have been unpleasant, or are uncomfortable about your own perceived dental problems, we will work to treat you with kindness and understanding. We are here to earn your family’s trust with personalized care!
We are excited to meet you and your family. Please call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button to schedule your next visit!
