Tips for the Aging Smile
- Thursday, 15 February 2018 05:32
- Lerner and Lemongello
- 0 Comments
We talk a lot about aging these days. Often, our conversations related to this topic revolve around the innovative ways we can have more control over the issues that may arise as we grow older. The fact of the matter is, the body will always age; it’s a biological fact that we cannot change. Fortunately, we can manage our unique aging process. One way to do this is to get familiar with the needs we have as the body changes. Let’s look at the smile as an example.
Historically, aging has meant tooth discoloration. It has meant frequent dental problems and even tooth loss. In the past century, advances in awareness, hygiene, and dentistry have afforded us the ability to reduce these consequences. If age-related concerns do arise, we usually have more than one way to address them. Here, what we would like to discuss is how the older adult can handle oral care as needs and abilities change.
Oral Care Tips for Older Adults
By mid-life and beyond, most adults have established a routine that involves brushing their teeth every day. Ideally, teeth are also flossed every night before bed. These two habits are the cornerstone of good oral health and should not be skipped or rushed. According to research, adults aged 50 and older may find that plaque and tartar become especially problematic (and 50 isn’t even considered “senior). This means that daily care takes on new importance. To sustain teeth and gums, though, little extra help may be needed. We suggest:
- Using a sonic or electric toothbrush to reduce excessive hand movements. Many older adults complain of stiffness and pain in the hands that limits dexterity. A powered toothbrush can aid in the performance of oral care.
- Flossing tools are also beneficial for optimal performance. For example, a Water Pik or flossing tool eliminates the need to hold a string of floss between the fingers.
- Denture wearers are not in the clear when it comes to oral care. Daily cleaning is vital to the prevention of gum disease and bacterial imbalance in the mouth.
Your dentist in Palm Beach Gardens is an excellent resource for information and direct support. Call Lerner & Lemongello at (561) 627-9000 to schedule your visit with us.
5 Ways to Promote Good Oral Health Habits at Work
- Friday, 31 January 2014 06:03
- Dr Lemongello
- 0 Comments
It looks like a lot of people need to step up their oral health habits not just at home but also at work! Based on a survey released by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and Oral-B Laboratories, a huge number of Americans are actually neglecting the state of their teeth and mouth at work.
Specifically, the survey found out that although 75 percent of roughly one thousand respondents ate twice or more a day at work, only 14 percent of them are actually brushing their teeth. In addition, 40 percent of the respondents considered a person’s smile as the first thing they notice in a person at work while 32 percent responded that bad breath is a co-worker’s least attractive trait. Now, the early figures of 14 percent brushing their teeth may make you think about those who rated bad breath as a no-no. It seems like a lot would be complaining about Mr. Stinky Breath at work after all.
Most of us here at our Palm Beach Gardens dental practice are part of the 14 percent who brush our teeth even at work. And we would like to see more people doing the same thing in the office. So here’s a quick guide to promoting good oral health habits at work:
1. Have a toothbrush for office use. Having a toothbrush handy at work will certainly increase your chances of actually using it in the office.
2. Chew sugarless gums. Chewing gums could stimulate saliva production and saliva, in turn, neutralizes acids which could cause tooth decay and cavities. After having meals and snacks in the office, consider chewing sugarless gums!
3. No toothbrush available? How about some mouthwash? Rinsing your mouth with it for at least 30 seconds will surely make the difference and get rid of the garlicky breath after lunch!
4. You might want to have some floss handy, too.
5. Lastly, schedule dental visits regularly so we can help you figure out which part of your oral health needs improvement and give out recommendations.
Get in touch with us today if you’d like to have healthier teeth and gums for an awesome smile that your coworkers will surely notice! Contact Drs. Lerner and Lemongello for an appointment and information on all dental procedures at 561-627-9000 or you can fill out this contact form. We’d love to hear from you!
Sports Drinks vs. Your Teeth
- Wednesday, 16 December 2009 18:13
- e6updates
- 0 Comments
Sports Drinks vs. Your Teeth. Sports drinks and energy drinks might seem like healthy alternatives to soda, but they are not healthier for your teeth. In our office we often see damage to the teeth and smile due to sports drinks. A new study from New York University College of Dentistry shows that sports drinks contain high levels of acids that may be linked to a condition called erosive tooth wear. In just 90 minutes of exposure to sports drinks over the course of a day the enamel coating on the teeth can be damaged and the teeth weakened. This can lead to tooth decay or erosion and the need for restoration.
Straight teeth are healthier teeth
- Tuesday, 11 August 2009 17:15
- e6updates
- 1 Comment
Straight teeth are healthier teeth. It is common during a hygiene examination to overhear conversation about healthy teeth. It is surprising for most to find out that straight teeth are healthier than crooked teeth. How is that so? Well if we look closely at straight teeth we find all the teeth lined up evenly without any overlap between the teeth. This allows all surfaces of the teeth to be cleaned. When teeth are crooked, the teeth overlap each other making it hard to clean in between. Also, straight teeth wear evenly across the edges. Crooked teeth, all at different levels and position wear unevenly. Crooked teeth that overlap and are at different positions are more prone to decay, gum disease and wear. Straightening crooked teeth can be easily achieved with Invisalign. Our goal is to provide our patients with choices to maintain optimal dental health. Having straight teeth is one way to achieve optimal health.
Overcoming the Fear of Replacing old Dentistry
- Tuesday, 07 July 2009 22:34
- e6updates
- 0 Comments
It is not uncommon for us to recommend replacement of aging dentistry to improve the health and smiles of our patients. Dentistry, like anything else, eventually wears out. However, our patients often seem reluctant to have their aging dentistry replaced. Initially it was confusing to see such a response when it was apparent to the patient that the recommendation was understood and the need for replacement was apparent. What was more difficult to understand was why patients were reluctant to proceed with the necessary treatment. When asked “why would you not move forward with treatment”often the response was a reluctance due to a fear of the unknown. What would we find underneath that old dentistry? How will the old dentistry possibly be removed without creating further injury to the healthy tooth underneath? Once this fear was recognized it was easily addressed. With today’s technology, removal of existing failing dentistry is fast, effortless and will not cause additional harm to the underlying tooth. Think of it in terms of the old dentistry being a covering over the tooth, some form of “Laminate”. Using a Formica kitchen counter top as as example: once a small slice is made through the Formica surface the remaining Formica laminate covering is easily “peeled back” exposing the underlying wood without causing any damage. Old dentistry is no different. Once a slice is made through the old dentistry it is easily peeled off without damaging the underlying tooth. In a previous post we discussed the three main reasons why patients postpone needed dentistry. They are money, time and fear. Once all three of these are addressed needed dentistry can be accomplished. Hopefully now this common fear has been addressed. Communication is the key and our staff is here to ensure your questions are answered. Our goal is to provide state of the art dentistry in a comfortable atmosphere and any obstacles to optimal dental health are adressed.
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