What Is pH & Why Does It Matter?

Drinking lemon juice (usually diluted in a glass of water or added to a cup of tea) is a beloved health tonic among fans of natural medicine. Potential benefits include lower cholesterol, lower inflammation in the body, and increased metabolism and energy. Lemon also contains high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C that boost your immune system.

On a scale of 0-14, a pH of 7 is neutral (pure water) while numbers below 7 are acidic (unhealthy), while numbers above 7 are basic or alkaline (healthy). Believers in holistic health blame many ailments on the body’s pH being too low or too acidic. Increasing your body’s pH is called “alkalizing.”

Lemon juice in its natural state is acidic with a pH of about 2, but once metabolized it actually becomes alkaline with a pH well above 7. So, outside the body, anyone can see that lemon juice is very acidic. However, once fully digested, its effect is proven to be alkalizing with many health benefits. So how does lemon juice or a daily glass of lemon water affect the health of your mouth and teeth?

Acidity & Oral Health

The bottom line here is that any time you encounter lemon juice, it’s likely to be in its acidic state. Lemons contain citric acid, which is corrosive and damaging to tooth enamel. It’s not until lemon juice has been fully digested and metabolized that it becomes alkaline. So, it’s important to ingest lemon juice sparingly, assuming the acid can and will eventually affect your tooth enamel.

Signs Tooth Enamel is Damaged:

Discoloration – The white enamel may wear out and look yellow because of exposed dentin.

Transparency – Clearness in enamel means it’s not as strong.

Sensitivity – Enamel protects the dentin and deeper layers. When enamel is damaged, your teeth will be more sensitive to hot and cold.

When it comes to deciding between lemon water and plain water, use your best judgment. A glass of lemon juice diluted in water is certainly not as damaging as sucking juice straight from a lemon wedge. (Now, if you added a load of sugar to that lemon water to make lemonade, you have a new and different problem for dental health!)

If you’d like to make a refreshing glass of lemon water part of your daily routine, give it a try! You may notice some of the many health benefits and alkalizing effects on your overall health. We do suggest you wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth so as not to agitate your enamel even more with both the brushing motion and acid present in your mouth. Ingesting lemon juice is not recommended if you have acid indigestion or mouth ulcers.

Always consult with your Lebanon dentist for more personalized support for all things health and wellness. For more information, or to get a checkup on the current state of your enamel, contact Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith at Advanced Dental to make an appointment.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Lemon Juice – The Good, The Bad, & The Sour appeared first on Advanced Dental.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and almost 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Managing your blood sugar is very important if you have diabetes and will help keep symptoms at bay. Taking good care of your oral wellness is actually one key to managing blood sugar.

Diabetes & Your Mouth

Diabetes can show itself in your mouth by causing:

• Gum disease: This condition is surprisingly common among most adults and has an even stronger correlation with diabetes, but it can and should be treated.
• Dry mouth: Diabetes tends to cause a decrease in saliva, which can be uncomfortable and cause bad breath.
• Decreased ability to taste: Diabetes can make it difficult to fully taste and enjoy your food. Try new spices to improve your meals, but be careful not to use too much sugar.
• Oral infections: Yeast (thrush) is especially common because diabetes affects your immune system. People with dentures and diabetes are at an increased risk of developing oral infections.
• Slow healing: Diabetes can affect your ability to recover from injury and illness. Cold sores or cuts in your mouth may stick around longer if you have diabetes.

Gum Disease & Diabetes

You’d be absolutely shocked at the high number of bacteria that live in your mouth every day. Most of them are totally normal and fine. But, certain types of bacteria can be bad for your oral health and overall health.

Since bacteria live off the sugars in your mouth, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing gum disease from the bad bacteria. In fact, 22% of people diagnosed with diabetes will also get gum disease. In turn, gum disease infections can cause your blood sugar to elevate, which is the exact opposite of what you want. Thankfully, treating gum disease has been shown to also treat high blood sugar.

Gum disease is common and treatable and can vary in severity from a minor inflammation with sore and bleeding gums, to a major issue of receding gums, pus surrounding the teeth, and eventual tooth loss. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep an eye on your oral health and practice good hygiene to prevent gum disease from starting or getting worse. Gum disease is linked to a number of other health problems, so you really don’t want to ignore any signs that it might be developing.

Prevention & Protection

The ADA recommends controlling your blood sugar, brushing and flossing your teeth, and seeing the dentist to protect your mouth from symptoms of diabetes. Controlling gum disease and practicing great oral hygiene is known to help manage diabetes.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Lebanon, make an appointment at Advanced Dental today! Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith are professional dentists who know how to keep you and your mouth healthy.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Can Poor Oral Health Cause Diabetes? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

CAD/CAM Software

Short for computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing, this software brings you better fitting crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, and bridges. CAD/CAM technology comes out of industrial engineering and manufacturing and into the dental office to provide faster, superior products and services in oral health. Using computers to design oral appliances increases accuracy, efficiency, appearance, and function.

CAD/CAM dental services start with 3D images. The computer takes the images and creates a model of whatever restorative appliance you need. Research shows that dental restorations made with CAD/CAM technology are stronger and less likely to break. This is great news if you’re already dealing with oral health issues and you just want everything to look natural and work well.

Same-Day Milling

Thanks to CAD/CAM technology, you can now get many dental restorations placed in just one visit to the dental office. This is good news for busy people! All crowns, veneers, and onlays need to actually be created and shaped out of porcelain or composite. After using digital images to get a picture of your mouth, the information will be sent to a machine that can automatically create a natural-looking restoration on the spot.

The machine can usually make these in about 20 minutes. The milling machine may also glaze or stain the porcelain to best match your natural teeth. Like clay pottery, the porcelain or composite then needs to be fired. All of this should take anywhere from one to two hours. You can walk into the dentist toothless and walk out with a full, vibrant smile the same day.

Guided Surgery

Surgical guides are 3D computer images that your dentist may use to improve the accuracy and safety of having dental implants placed. Not everyone is a good candidate for implants, but if your dentist believes you are, they may also use a surgical guide during your procedure.

A surgical guide uses digital images to give us a realistic picture of your jawbones, gums, nerves, and more. A computer will help your Lebanon dentist plan the whole procedure so that each step and measurement is more accurate. With all of this important information, dentists can work faster so you’re in the chair less (as much as we love to see you).

Cone Beam Imaging

When your doctor or dentist needs to see beyond the naked eye, they can use one of many different x-ray and imaging technologies. Cone-beam images are 3D scans that use cone-shaped laser beams to get a complete scan of your entire mouth. Cone-beams use more radiation than a standard dental x-ray, but far less than a standard medical CT scan. Cone-beam images especially help with placement and installation of dental implants.

Electronic Booking & Billing

Gone are the days of endless stacks of paper you need to keep track of and store. Gone are the days of being on hold with a receptionist. Many dental offices now make use of email and online programs to communicate with patients both for billing and making new appointments.

Now, everything you need to know about your oral care can be kept in one place to easily see and understand. Nothing can replace the friendly and professional environment of a good dental office, but digital communication helps ensure that you, your dentist, and the insurance providers are all on the same page. So when you walk in for your appointment, things should flow seamlessly and with no surprises.

Finding a Digital Dentist

An everyday visit to the dentist looks a lot different today than it has in decades past. The services you need may require any or all of the above technology to provide quality care and healthy outcomes.

At Advanced Dental, we are always learning more about how to use technology to better serve you. If you’re looking for a professional oral care provider, Lebanon dentists, Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith are taking new patients. Make an appointment today to learn more about what we can do for you and your smile!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Dentistry in the Digital Age appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Diet is Everything

The word “diet” has earned a bad reputation over the years as a verb that means eating less to lose weight, but diet is also a noun and a powerful way you can give yourself the best life possible. Your diet is simply the food you eat, and most of us are trying our best to eat wholesome food with just a few sweet treats here and there.

Good food sets the stage for a healthy life. Nutrition is vital for growing healthy muscles and bones. And guess what—your teeth are bones, too! Good nutrition helps your body fight infections that cause decay and disease in your mouth and the rest of your body. Not only will a healthy diet help you have more energy, a better attention span, and the strength to enjoy your life, but it also promotes good oral health, too. Dairy, meat, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables can all support healthy teeth and gums. But what should you avoid?

Foods that Promote Decay

Some of the foods and beverages that cause the most tooth decay:

• Sugary sodas and juice
• Sugary cocktails and coffees
• Sugary sweets like candy and baked goods
• Processed food lacking important nutrients (protein, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, and D)

Foods that Damage Tooth Enamel

The hard, white surface of your teeth is your enamel. Enamel protects the nerves at the core of your tooth and helps your teeth stay strong and healthy. Some foods really hurt the surfaces of your teeth by causing dangerous buildup, or by putting too much force on the enamel and damaging it. Some foods that can damage your enamel include:

• Popcorn kernels
• Ice
• Coffee and tea with added sugar
• Citrus (lemon juice)
• Alcohol (which causes dry mouth)
• Sugary juice, soda, sports drinks, and cocktails
• Sticky, chewy or hard candy
• Dried fruit

It’s probably not surprising that sugar makes the “bad list” in both categories. You don’t have to avoid sugar completely, but it’s probably best to pick your favorite treat and just stick with that in moderation.

Love Your Mouth

If you eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, your teeth will love and serve you forever. By brushing and flossing every day and visiting the dentist for a checkup and cleaning twice a year, you can best avoid tooth decay and damage.

Make an appointment with Lebanon dentists, Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith at Advanced Dental to give your smile a fighting chance with a healthy diet and regular dental care.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Don’t Eat That: A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Mouth appeared first on Advanced Dental.

How old is too old for braces? It’s an interesting question—and the answer may surprise you! Advanced Dental in Lebanon would like to share some information with readers today regarding patient age as it relates to orthodontic treatment.

Spoiler Alert!

Patient age alone is not a deal breaker when it comes to successful orthodontic treatment outcomes, so what’s the determining factor? Simply put— the health of gums and bone. For example, if a patient has uncontrolled periodontal (gum) disease, the moving of teeth within the bone caused by orthodontic appliances can aggravate gum disease symptoms. Other medical conditions or medications can also interfere with orthodontic treatment. Some of these include:

• Severe heart valve disease
• Bleeding disorders
• Severe and uncontrolled diabetes
• Leukemia

Some medications used to treat arthritis and osteoporosis make moving teeth more difficult, so your dentist or orthodontist needs full disclosure of all medications you take before you begin any treatment. Smoking cigarettes and certain other medications can dry out the mouth, increase your risk of tooth decay and make orthodontic treatment less comfortable. Be sure to give Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith all your medical information—including medications you are taking—up front before starting treatment.

What are the Benefits of Adult Braces?

Malocclusion—which doesn’t only apply to crooked teeth, but a bad bite—affects approximately 75% of adults.  About 1 in 5 orthodontic patients are adults over the age of 21. That’s a lot of grown-up braces!

• Orthodontia can correct the bite. A bad bite can be genetic, result from overcrowded teeth, or develop when lost teeth leave gaps in the gums behind. The remaining teeth slip into these empty spaces simply because they remain empty. Adult braces can correct the bite and move teeth where they should be for a healthy bite.
• Straight teeth are easier to clean. Brushing and flossing are much easier to do effectively when teeth are evenly aligned in the mouth, so your risk for tooth decay and gum disease decreases significantly.
• Enjoying food by chewing and swallowing comfortably is one of life’s simpler pleasures. A person whose bite isn’t functional is likely to become discouraged when faced with this problem—multiple times per day, every day.
• Orthodontia—or more accurately, the results of orthodontia—can cause a big spike in self-assurance. People who like their smiles may find it difficult to stop smiling! Personal appearance, self-esteem, and confidence can skyrocket once teeth are straighter. Straightening your smile can actually be life changing!

What Are the Drawbacks of Adult Orthodontia?

Because adult bones are no longer growing, some structural changes in the jaw and mouth cannot be accomplished without surgery. Treatment times may take longer in older patients due to fighting gum disease or bone loss.

Hey, Get Off My Lawn!

Braces are not just for children and teens anymore. Regardless of your age, if your teeth bother you enough to want to correct your malocclusion—you should do it! Crooked and misaligned teeth can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, premature and excessive tooth wear, headaches, and jaw joint issues like TMJ. These are dental problems no one of any age wants!

Technology has grown by leaps and bounds since most of us were kids. Today’s braces are not necessarily the metal and wire contraptions catching every camera flash or trapping food at the worst possible times. While certain dental situations call for more traditional braces, they are smaller and less invasive than ever. Different orthodontic options have evolved over time that look more discreet, often require shorter treatment times, and can be easier to care for.

Different Types of Braces

Clear Aligners

Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® are two popular orthodontic treatments that use clear, custom-fitted aligners to straighten teeth. The aligners are removable, easy to clean, and do not require additional dietary restrictions. They are also nearly invisible due to their clear construction of medical-grade plastic. Millions of people have successfully used these systems to achieve more beautiful smiles—and treatment times average only about a year!

Colorless or Tooth-Colored Braces

Six Month Smiles® is one example of a system using tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires for a short-term orthodontic treatment that improves the alignment of visible teeth. Because the focus is on only the front teeth that show when you smile, the treatment time is much shorter (average treatment times of six months, hence the name) and they’re much less noticeable than traditional braces.

If you are an adult considering straightening your teeth, contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment today!

Sources

http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/22,HD57

https://sherwoodparkdental.ca/dental-myths-101-too-old-for-braces-not/

The post Am I Too Old for Braces? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

A missing tooth or teeth can also cause jaw pain and bite misalignment. Without a full set of teeth, your other teeth tend to move into the empty space, causing unnatural alignment in your bite and jaw—which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to bigger headaches and TMJ/TMD problems.

Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith share how each tooth plays an important role in your health and everyday life, and how dental bridges can restore your smile and the function of your teeth.

Types of Bridges

Depending on your needs, there are three common kinds of bridges that your dentist may recommend. The difference between each type of bridge is how they are installed and secured.

The core of every bridge is the false tooth or teeth that replace those missing. Today these are usually made of quality porcelain and perform daily functions just as well as your natural teeth would-whether you are eating, speaking, or flashing a smile!

Bridges use the teeth on either side to secure your artificial tooth or teeth in place. Sometimes they involve a crown or two over these neighboring teeth and sometimes not. These neighboring teeth – called abutment teeth – are very important. The type of bridge you get will depend on how many abutment teeth are used in your bridge.

• A traditional bridge is supported by two neighboring teeth, each covered in a crown. Your false tooth is suspended in place between the two crowns. Traditional bridges are the most common type.
• Cantilever bridges are not as common but can be used when your missing tooth only has one abutment tooth nearby. Like a traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge uses a crown on the abutment tooth, bonded to the false tooth to keep it in place.
• A Maryland bridge has no crowns on the neighboring teeth. This bridge uses metal wings on the side of the false tooth and bonds those wings directly to neighboring teeth for support.

Bridges vs. Dentures vs. Implants

When looking into tooth replacement options, you may wonder what the differences are between bridges, dentures, and implants. Bridges and implants are “fixed” dental restorations, which means they cannot be removed. Dentures are generally removable.

Dental bridges are also usually cheaper than implants and they can look completely natural. Bridges are a good option if the teeth next to your gap would need a crown regardless, or if the gap has been there for quite some time.  Not every patient is a good candidate for implants, which require a very healthy jawbone and gums to install false tooth roots.

Getting A Bridge

To prepare your mouth for a bridge, the doctor will clean and shape any abutment tooth or teeth in the area your bridge will be placed. The abutment teeth are essential to the permanent fit and function of the bridge. Once you have a bridge, it needs to be cleaned and cared for just like your other teeth: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and come to see us twice a year.  If you’re ready to restore and improve your smile, contact us at Advanced Dental to make an appointment today!

Sources

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/article/dental-bridges-and-oral-health?thumbparam=bridges-and-crowns/468776761

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-bridges

The post Dental Bridges 101 appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Dental Caries, Tooth Decay & Cavities

What do dental caries and tooth decay have in common? A lot – actually, they are the exact same thing. When bacteria interact with carbohydrates as they are broken down in the mouth, they ferment and produce lactic acid, which eats away at the structures of the teeth.

Considered the most prevalent chronic disease among adults and children, this condition is called dental caries, or tooth decay. Without proper care and regular dental appointments, the acid from bacteria will eat away the surface layer of the tooth, creating a hole, or cavity. In other words, dental caries (tooth decay) is the cause of cavities.

Caries Prevention

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection that results from sugars breaking down in the mouth. In order for a caries formation to take place, there must be bacteria and sugar present on a tooth surface. For most Lebanon residents with a normal diet, the components of tooth decay are already in place.

However, Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith remind us that it takes time, sometimes even several years, for the acidic demineralization (acids eating away at the tooth) process to result in a cavity. The simplest ways to limit your risk of getting a cavity are to eat less sugar, brush and floss regularly, and visit Advanced Dental for your twice-yearly cleanings.

Want to know more about dental caries? Here are some facts to beef up your oral health knowledge:

Saliva helps protect your mouth against tooth decay and cavities. Every time the process of caries formation begins, saliva works to stop it. In addition to adding minerals back to teeth (remineralization), saliva also kills harmful bacteria and neutralizes the acidic effects of bacteria. Once you’ve eaten, this neutralization process takes about half an hour.

The bacteria that cause cavities can be passed to another person. Any activity that includes trading saliva, such as kissing or sharing food and drinks, can send cavity-causing bacteria into a friend or loved one’s mouth. Lebanon parents with young children should be especially aware of this because kids are not as good at taking care of their teeth and may be more susceptible to cavity formation.

While having a cavity filled will repair a tooth, it does not stop tooth decay.

Get Rid of Cavities for Good!

Eating a healthy diet low in sugar and making sure to brush and floss twice a day with fluoride toothpaste are your best lines of defense against cavities. However, it is still possible for dental caries to cause cavities, especially if you have dry mouth, heartburn, or love to sip sugary drinks. Don’t be worried! That’s where Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith come in.

Each time you visit Advanced Dental for a cleaning, our expertly trained hygienists will inspect every nook and cranny of your mouth for tooth decay at work, and stop cavities in their tracks. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and keep your smile happy and healthy!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_caries

The post The Story of Caries Prevention appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it’s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don’t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it’s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common—if not more common—as any other.

Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventative dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues.

Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you’re just at a loss. Lebanon dentists, Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith, explain more below about the current trends in dental insurance and what it means for you.

Forgoing Dental Insurance

Of all the reasons adults avoid the dentist, 40% say it’s because of cost. Followed closely is the 33% of adults who don’t think they need dental care. You can see where this is going—there’s almost no reason someone would pay for a service they think is expensive and unnecessary.

A lot of people seek dental treatments without dental insurance to help cover it. In 2013, the numbers ranged from 12% of children to 61% of senior citizens. Insurance may seem like a luxury but when you need it, it becomes essential. If you can make any changes to your monthly budget to allow room for dental insurance, it might be one of the best ways you take care of yourself and your family. No one wants to be stuck with a cracked tooth, gum infection, or jaw pain while also wondering how you’re going to pay for treatment.

Children’s Dental Insurance

Government-mandated insurance through the Affordable Care Act does not include dental coverage, except in the case of children. This is for good reason—children are vulnerable and they’re growing at such a fast rate. Catching a health problem and treating it promptly is essential for a lifetime of health and wellness.

It’s also important that children develop good oral health habits early that they’ll stick to the rest of their life. Search HealthCare.Gov, or talk with a caseworker if you have one, to learn about your options for enrolling children in free or discounted dental insurance.

Increased PPOs & Decreasing Payments

PPO plans (Preferred Provider Organization), which are more expensive, are becoming far and away more popular, making up 80% of all dental plans. But dental insurance plans are actually paying dentists slightly less per patient than they have in the past.

Consumerism

With or without dental insurance, more people are shopping around for the best rate before making a dental appointment. Following the recession, people care more than ever about understanding what they are paying for when they buy any goods or service.

Dental Plans Need to Stay Current

Research shows that, over time, dental insurance is actually the best “bang for your buck.” To help patients get even more out of their dental coverage, some plans are offering a rollover of funds if you don’t use all of your yearly benefits. Some plans allow for important preventative and diagnostic services without it going against yearly maximums.

Flexible Payment Plans

Your dentist wants you to be healthy and will do whatever we can to increase your access to good oral health care. If you’re avoiding dental treatment because you don’t have insurance and/or you’re afraid of the cost, talk honestly with your Lebanon dentist. Dentists are humans, too, and we understand life circumstances especially in regards to health and finances.

Some flexible payment options we can discuss together are:

• Discounted services for paying up front, before the treatment
• Interest-free payment plans
• Splitting up the treatment over time (when appropriate) so you don’t have to pay for it all at once
• Cheaper alternatives: many dental procedures have cheaper (though sometimes less desirable) ways of treating a problem. Your doctor can tell you what the most affordable route of treatment is.

If you need dental care, whether you have insurance or not, come see us at Advanced Dental. We’re a contemporary practice that can meet you where you are and offer caring, professional services. Make an appointment today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

https://www.healthcare.gov/

The post Dental Insurance Trends appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Like water, a healthy diet, and breathing, sleep is essential to support every part of your health. Sleep is when our bodies rest, repair, and run a lot of self-maintenance. Studies show that not getting enough sleep can harm your memory, your heart health, your immune system, and make you gain excess weight.

Sometimes sleep loss is a real medical issue that needs to be treated by a doctor (your Lebanon dentists can help with sleep apnea). But if you’re just dealing with the common troubles of settling down and enjoying your sleep, we’ve got sleep tips that are all natural and easy to incorporate into your life…starting tonight!

Set the Tone

Think of everything you do to set the right tone for a dinner party or even a study session. Every event needs some preparation. You can do a lot of little things to immediately make your environment more conducive for sleeping:

• Turn your phone off
• Dim the lights
• Clean up if it will make you feel better
• Light a candle
• Use blackout shades to keep out any remaining sun or street light
• Lower the air conditioning to 65-68 degrees
• Write a to-do list for the morning so you can stop thinking about ongoing tasks and let your mind rest

Make the Time

When it comes to sleep, timing is everything. Yes, you need to find about 8 hours each night when you can actually close your eyes. But just as important is the hour you spend before going to bed, as well as the time you wake up. If you want to sleep better:

• Start winding down at the same time each night.
• Try to be in bed with lights out at the same time each night.
• Wake up at the same time every day, including weekends.

Doing this naturally guides your circadian rhythm—the important hormones that direct your body clock for sleeping and waking over 24 hours. This will teach your body to expect sleep at a certain time and to actually be ready for it.

Establish a Routine

Harness the power of psychology and classical conditioning. Remember Pavlov’s dogs? Use the same stimulus to trigger your mind and body that it’s bedtime each night. For many children, even the first line of their bedtime song will trigger a yawn. You can trigger sleepiness for yourself by lighting the same candle, playing the same song, brushing and flossing your teeth and putting your pajamas on in the same order each night.

Herbal Supplements & Aromatherapy

There’s a lot to be learned about the power of herbs and aromatherapy when it comes to aiding a healthy lifestyle. Consider taking melatonin—a naturally occurring hormone that balances sleep; magnesium—a mineral that can calm your nerves and muscles; or valerian—an herb that helps you fall asleep faster and deeper. These are completely safe and natural supplements you can take regularly to help with sleep.

Similarly, using lavender, vetiver, or sandalwood oil can calm your body and induce better sleep. Try diffusing oil into the air or put drops on your pillow. Some supplements and methods will work better for you than others and they all do different things to the body. So talk with your doctor before taking any new herbs or supplements.

Meditate & Read

How you spend the hour before bed can do a lot to help you sleep better. According to the National Sleep Foundation, watching television or looking at any screen before bed can seriously hurt your chances of a good night’s rest. Instead, try reading something in actual paper and ink. It doesn’t have to be hard literature; even a magazine or light read is better than a screen and social media. Whatever you read is bound to make for a better conversation-starter throughout the week, too.

This might be especially difficult for people who feel they have to work on their computers late into the night. If that’s you, remember that you’re only human and you’ll be more productive the next day if you get the sleep you need.

You can also try meditating, praying, or remembering things for which you’re grateful before you fall asleep. Your brain needs time to cool down and relax before totally shutting off and sleeping. This can help end the cycle of thoughts and worries that prevent many folks from finding restful sleep.

Sleep Help from the Dentist

As professional healthcare providers, Advanced Dental wishes each of our patients full health and wellness, including quality sleep! In some cases, oral health issues such as TMJ, grinding and clenching (bruxism), or sleep apnea might be physical barriers keeping you from getting enough sleep. Your dentist can help you address and treat these issues.

If you are looking for a Lebanon dentist to help with these or any oral health needs, make an appointment with us today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/natural-sleeping-remedies#promoSlide

https://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSleep/

https://sleepfoundation.org/media-center/press-release/annual-sleep-america-poll-exploring-connections-communications-technology-use-

The post 5 Natural Ways to Sleep Better appeared first on Advanced Dental.

If you have a nasty toothache and remember biting down on something hard, it’s time to contact Dr. Jerry Cox and Dr. Jesse Smith. Don’t worry though, because the dental professionals at Advanced Dental are committed to giving you the best oral care that Lebanon has available. To find out more about cracked tooth syndrome, read on.

Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Although this condition can vary a little bit for everyone, here are some common signs you may have cracked tooth or cracked cusp syndrome:

• Biting down in a certain area causes sharp pain
• The pain goes away shortly after you have finished chewing or biting
• You have localized sensitivity to hot or cold, and sticky, sweet, or sour foods
• You find that you have begun favoring one side of your mouth for chewing denser food or all food
• You notice sharp, localized pain while biting and immediately afterward (indicating the opening and closing of the crack)

What Causes Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

There are a number of things that cause teeth to crack, but it is usually one of the following culprits:

• Facial/oral trauma
• Chewing hard foods (nuts, hard candy, ice, etc.)
• Teeth grinding
• A worn or damaged dental restoration
• Damage from an improperly performed or unsuccessful root canal
• A bite misalignment that causes uneven chewing pressure
• Eating or drinking very hot and very cold foods/beverages at the same time

Treating Cracked Tooth Syndrome

No one should have to deal with the pain and inconvenience of a cracked tooth. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable, CTS may allow nasty bacteria into the root and/or pulp chamber of the tooth. At that point, a root canal or even extraction will likely be necessary.

If you think you have cracked tooth syndrome, visit Advanced Dental before it becomes serious! If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracked_tooth_syndrome

http://www.aae.org/patients/symptoms/cracked-teeth.aspx?gclid=CKLTzunuqMUCFQqEfgodvioA0A

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