Whoever said wisdom teeth removal is never fun? A recent video of Olympic gold-winning gymnast Simone Biles shows a light-hearted side – or more accurately, side-effect – of extraction.

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Oral health and hygiene are often associated with being tedious at best and painful in the extreme. Flossing, brushing, rinsing and check-ups can be less than exciting, true, but these measures are necessary because those who avoid the tedious tasks are more likely to suffer the painful results. Dental care should not be put off for numerous reasons, the least of which are an attractive smile and inoffensive breath. More importantly, staying on top of oral health helps to prevent infections and keep the rest of the body healthy. A good family dentist in Greenville, SC helps to do just that.

The Importance of Saliva

Saliva in the mouth makes a strong fight against disease-causing bacteria and insidious infections. Antibodies in saliva counter air-borne viruses and its proteins suppress the growth of fungi like Candida Albicans. In addition, enzymes found in saliva effectively erode bacterial membranes. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched an animal lick its wounds. In fact, some scientists believe that the compounds found in saliva can be harnessed, re-produced and sold to diabetics and others whose cuts and abrasions are slow to heal. In short, good oral health begins with saliva.

The Threat from Plaque

As hard as it works, unfortunately, saliva is not an oral cure-all. A snapshot from inside the mouth will show nearly 500 different varieties of bacteria taking residence. As they bond with one another, the bacteria form an invisible but clinging film called plaque. As any dentist in Greenville SC can tell you, plaque is not just a threat to teeth. It actually places the whole body into peril. Without consistent brushing and flossing, plaque situates itself along the gum line and in between the teeth. It is here that progressive infections will develop: gingivitis, periodontitis and trench mouth. As they progress, the gums recede, the teeth are loosened and pain from inflammation increases.

It Gets Worse

Your family dentist in Greenville SC is there to mitigate these painful conditions. Left untreated, infections do not remain confined to the mouth. Depending on the state of the immune system, oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc on other parts of the anatomy. If an illness or injury has compromised your immunity, that bacteria can attach to weakened organs elsewhere in the body. An example of this phenomenon is endocarditis, when bacteria adheres to damaged heart valves, a life-threatening condition. Greenville SC dentists help patients from reaching such a dangerous and disturbing predicament before antibiotics or even surgery are required.

Take Action Now

Beyond cardiovascular disease, gum infections can complicate diabetes management, induce pre-term labor in pregnant women and cause a host of other health problems. Self-care—brushing, flossing and the use of oral antiseptics—is a necessary component in preventing such problems. Just as essential are regular check-ups and cleanings with a family dentist in Greenville SC. With the expertise and tools that are central to fighting oral infection, Greenville SC dentists team with their patients to preserve their oral, and overall, health. If you have put it off, don’t wait any longer. Contact a dentist in Greenville SC today

Miley Cyrus recently had her wisdom tooth pulled…and turned it into a necklace. She posted a picture of her tooth (one of five wisdom teeth extracted) dangling from her colorful necklace following her dental surgery. (more…)

A child’s baby teeth typically begin to loosen and fall out at around 6 years of age. According to an article on WPTZ, “The first baby teeth to fall out are typically the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) and the two top front teeth (upper central incisors), followed by the lateral incisors, molars and canines.” The molars usually fall out around 9 to 12 years of age before permanent teeth starts setting in at about 13.
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Developing a child’s dental habits at an early age and having regular trips to experienced dentists in Greenville, SC ensures a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. It is suggested that children should know how to take care of their teeth from a young age to prevent dental problems later on. In terms of brushing, it should be introduced as soon as the first tooth appears and should be done with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
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Good oral health practices are as important for children as they are for adults. It is a general recommendation to have a child see a dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months from the time the first tooth comes out, so remember to take your child to dentists in Greenville, SC around those periods. (more…)

Nothing can be more excruciating than suffering from a severe toothache. The throbbing pain can gnaw at the individual, disrupting the quality of his or her life. If not treated immediately, toothaches can prevent people from even enjoying sleep or food. While toothaches are frustrating and uncomfortable to deal with, they are but symptoms to even more harmful dental disorders. Those suffering a toothache should see their local dentist at once to effectively treat the pain and its cause. (more…)

Planning to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas? Remember to brush.

Microbiologist Remco Kort and his team at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research found out that a ten-second French kiss can transfer as much as 80 million bacteria. Swabs and spit samples collected from 21 couples in the study reported a drastic increase in the number of common bacteria, namely Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. (more…)

Certain vices carry dangerous consequences and you will need adequate screening to act on it before it’s too late. For that, a dentist can certainly help. In his Philadelphia Inquirer article dated October 8, 2014, writer Steven Reinberg said:
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People will always want to prove themselves by shaping their body through strenuous outdoor activity – but not when your teeth have to suffer for it. An article in the equestrian sports website HorseTalk notes:
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