There are nearly 26 million Americans who have diabetes. Diabetes is a group of diseases that affects how your body uses blood glucose, or blood sugar. Glucose is very important because it provides energy for your body and brain.

People who live with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease. This is because diabetes makes the body more susceptible to bacterial infections. Gum disease develops gradually which is why it important to see your Dentist in Vienna regularly to prevent gum disease from occurring or getting worse.

Tooth Decay: People with diabetes are more prone to tooth decay because diabetes is associated with dry mouth and low saliva production which promotes bacterial growth. Naturally, everyone has many forms of bacteria coating their teeth, which creates plaque. When you eat sugary or starchy foods, the plaque begin to release acid that attacks the enamel of your teeth. The more sugar you consume the more acid is released. Over time, the enamel of your tooth will break down resulting in cavities.

Early Gum Disease: Diabetes lowers your resistance to infection and slows down your healing process. Because so, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. When plaque isn’t removed promptly, it will harden and turn into tartar. Once tartar starts to build up and irritate the gum lines, you will produce an early form of gum disease known as gingivitis. With gingivitis, your gums will become inflamed and tend to bleed easily. Once gum disease is prevalent, only your Dentist in Vienna can help to maintain the disease and prevent it from progressing.

Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection becomes more serious and moves from your gums to the soft tissue and bone structure of your teeth. This more serious condition is called periodontitis. Having periodontitis can result to tooth loss and increases your chances of stroke or heart attack. Also with periodontitis, it can make diabetes harder to control. Be sure to consult with your Vienna Dentist for periodontitis solutions.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene every day can help you reduce the risk of developing gum disease. It is important to remember that living with diabetes requires a lot of special attention to your health, including oral health. Be sure to see you Vienna VA dentist regularly to help prevent gum disease from progressing. Also, it is important to notify your dentist that you have diabetes so that they will be able to better assist you.

October is finally here and soon approaching, is Halloween. As much as the dentist Vienna would love for patients to choose healthier options for Halloween treats, it is inevitable that they will choose to eat candy and sweets. So the Dentist Vienna VA has provided you with a few tips on how to keep a healthy smile for you and your family this Halloween.

The Negative Effects of Candy

As delicious as candy can be, it can have a negative effect on teeth. When you eat sweets, it coats your teeth with a clear sticky substance called plaque which contains bacteria. The bacteria in plaque feeds off the sugar you consume and creates acid which attacks your teeth after you eat. Over a period of time, this can result in tooth decay, cavities and even tooth loss.

With a regular trip to your Vienna Dentist, you should be able to prevent tooth decay from progressing. But if cavities do form, be sure to see the Vienna VA dentist right away to prevent any additional damage that can occur to your tooth or to relieve any discomfort you may feel.

Healthy Teeth Tips for Halloween:

Here are a few suggestions for keeping yours and your family’s teeth healthy this Halloween season:

1. To your basket of candy, mix in some Halloween-themed pencils or stickers. You will be surprised to see how many children choose these items over candy.
2. When enjoying candy, try to avoid the gooey or chewy ones that can linger on teeth after eating.
3. After eating candy, try to brush or rinse your mouth with water to remove any leftover sugar in the mouth. The bacteria in the mouth can attack your teeth up to 20 minutes after consumption, which can lead to tooth decay so it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
4. After the first day of receiving candy, try to get rid of any leftovers. Eating candy once every day can really affect the health of your teeth and increase the amount of attention they need to be cleaned.

Overall, it is important to practice proper oral care. Children usually follow the footsteps of those who set positive healthy habits so be sure to talk with your children about the importance of practicing a twice-a-day brushing and flossing routine. Your Dentist in Vienna can also provide different options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy, such as dental sealants or fluoride rinses. If you have any questions about maintaining a healthy and clean smile for you or your family, be sure to contact your Dentist in Vienna VA for more information.

Many people want a smile they can be proud of and one way to achieve a dazzling smile is to have pearly white teeth. However, in order to maintain a bright smile, the Vienna Dentist says you should be mindful of the types of things you consume. Because of certain factors, some foods or beverages can create harsh stains on your teeth that over time can be difficult to remove.

When considering foods that can stain teeth, be sure to look out for dark pigments. Some foods or beverages stain teeth because they have an intense amount of pigmented molecules that the Vienna VA dentist call chromogens. These chromogens latch on to dental enamel and cause your teeth to become discolored.

Another thing to look out for is foods or beverages that are very acidic. Acidic foods and beverages can cause staining by eroding the dental enamel which temporarily softens teeth and makes it easier for chromogens to latch on.

One rule of thumb for determining whether or not what you’re eating will stain your teeth is to determine if it will stain your white table cloth or carpet. Some of the main foods or beverages to consider would include, wine, coffee, cola, berries, sauces (such as soy sauce, curry sauce, or tomato sauce), and sweets. Also another main culprit for staining teeth is smoking or chewing tobacco.

Even if you consume dark pigmented or acidic foods, just know that there are a variety of options to help you achieve a pearly white smile. One option that can help prevent stains on your teeth would be to brush and floss twice-a-day. To brush more effectively, be sure to ask your Dentist Vienna about electric tooth brushes. The electric toothbrush gives you the ability to clean your teeth and to help remove any stains or residue more thoroughly. Also be sure to ask your Dentist Vienna VA about teeth whitening treatments that can be provided in office or at home.