If you’ve got gum disease, you know your oral health needs to be restored — but you may not realize that the condition can have a real effect on your overall health, too. And we’re talking about more than just a little bad breath: more and more, research is showing a real link between gum disease, or periodontitis, and serious heart problems. Fortunately, gum disease is easily treated by your dentist in Cleburne at Long Family Dental. Keep reading to learn more about the condition, its effects and how you can reverse it today!
Gum health closely linked to heart health, says Dr. Long
January 25, 2016
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Dental VS Medical Insurance the Facts from Your Dentist in Midlothian
December 15, 2015
Many patients in the US report fearing the dentist because of drills or shots or sensitive gag reflexes, but the number one reason people gave for fearing the dentist was financial strain. This may come as a surprise, but a significant portion of people fear they will be unable to finance dental treatment. Rather than visit the dentist, they avoid treatment until their oral health is in an advanced state of decline. However, research shows that patients who maintain dental checkups and teeth cleanings every six months, actually spend significantly less on dental care than those who only visit when oral health concerns arise. Your dental insurance company knows this too. That’s why they structure coverage to encourage preventive care over reactive care.
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Your Cleburne and Midlothian Children’s Dentist Knows Healthy Baby Teeth are Vital
September 17, 2015
There are a lot of myths in my profession. For example, a lot of people think that whiter teeth are necessarily healthier teeth — but that’s just not true. And one that really kills me is the myth that flossing just isn’t that important. But if you’re reading this blog post, you probably know that’s a big (dangerous) myth. Here’s a list of some more common dental myths. There is something that’s not on that list, though, and it’s a big misconception we hear all the time — so I’ll add it on here.
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Long Family Dental: The Dentist Midlothian Depends on for Oral Health
July 21, 2015
Your mouth is the main portal to the rest of your body. Therefore, the condition of your oral health affects your overall health. In other words, what happens in your mouth doesn’t necessarily stay in your mouth. Researchers have gathered evidence of the oral-systemic connection and proven that several illnesses and diseases can result from poor oral hygiene. Therefore, the need to take care of your teeth and gums cannot be overstated. With offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, the dentists at Long Family Dental and their staff of dental hygienists and dental assistants can help you maintain your oral and general health.
Periodontal disease—or gum disease—along with the bacteria that cause it are the main culprits in systemic diseases that may be linked to oral health. These include, but are not limited to:
Diabetes. That people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have gum disease has been well-known for many years. Now, however, research shows that patients with gum disease have an increased risk of developing diabetes as compared to people with little or no gum disease.
Heart disease. Periodontal bacteria are sometimes the cause of trouble here. The “bad” bacteria that is associated with gum disease can enter your bloodstream, lodge inside blood vessels and lead to blockages, heart attack or even heart failure.
Pneumonia. Germs from periodontal infection can migrate into the neck and chest, and end up in the lungs. People with gum disease can aspirate the bacteria and pathogens associated with this disease into their airways.
Good Oral for Good Overall Health
To avoid these and other health concerns, Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long recommend that an effective oral hygiene routine be followed at home, as well as regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings. At least twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush. (Hard bristles can scratch your teeth’s enamel.) Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line and brush in small circular motions. Be sure to brush the outside, inside and biting surface of each tooth, using a short back-and-forth motion. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too, to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath. A good brushing should take at least two to three minutes.
Finally, floss between your teeth at least once a day. Use about 18 inches of floss and gently move the floss up and down between teeth, guiding the string with your thumbs and index fingers. Advance the string of floss and move from one tooth to the next.
Call Our Office Today
In addition to your at-home oral hygiene practice, Long Family Dental would like to see you twice each year for checkups when we’ll clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, check the health of your gums, examine for tooth decay and complete an oral cancer screening. The dentist Cleburne, TX, trusts also conveniently serves patients from Waxahachie, Burleson, Joshua, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.
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