It’s well understood that smoking is bad for your oral health. The smoke irritates your gums, stains your teeth, dries out your mouth, and impedes your circulation so that your mouth cannot heal itself. However, this is not the end of the story. According to recent research on the effects of smoking on your oral bacteria, it would seem that this unfortunate habit has a strong effect on your microbiota.

After taking samples from over twelve hundred American adults, researchers found that people who either smoke or used to smoke have significantly higher levels of about 150 different types of oral bacteria, and lower levels of 70 other species. About ten percent more species of streptococcus, representing the bacteria known to be responsible for tooth decay, were found in smokers’ mouths. Meanwhile, proteobacteria, a type of microbe responsible for breaking down toxins in the mouth, make up only 4.6% of a smoker’s oral bacteria, as opposed to the 11.7% in a normal mouth.

If you’ve ever been a smoker, even if you’ve given it up, you are probably at a higher risk of tooth decay and oral cancer. Talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic to learn more about maintaining good oral health.

It’s well-understood that gum disease can have wide-reaching effects on your general bodily health. For people struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, gum disease may even speed up their cognitive decline. This is according to a number of scientific studies, which found that Alzheimer’s patients suffering from gum disease exhibit worse symptoms compared to those who have healthy gums. The conclusions of one study were that gum disease can make the decline of an Alzheimer’s patient as much as six times faster. Other studies have also indicated that gum disease may increase one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

It is thought that this happens because gum disease increases your body’s inflammatory response. When the blood vessels in your brain become inflamed, it is less able to combat the degenerative agents at work in your delicate neural tissues.

To make matters worse, those with Alzheimer’s disease are at an increased risk of developing gum disease. This is largely because the condition makes one less likely to practice proper oral hygiene. They can therefore get trapped in a vicious cycle, with their mental and dental degeneration both aggravating each other.

If you or someone you know is at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic. You just might be sparing yourself an unfortunate cognitive disease.

The human mouth is a surprisingly unrefined system. After so many years of evolution, it may seem odd that we haven’t yet overcome malocclusion and dental crowding. So, why is it that our teeth give us so many problems, while many species thrive without the benefit of professional dental care?

As it turns out, the human species may have been largely without such difficulties back in its early days. By looking at the jaws of 292 archaeological specimens from between 28,000 and 6,000 years ago, researchers observed that it wasn’t until the development of agrarian societies that human teeth began to crowd themselves. Hunter-gatherer populations fed largely on hard foods, like uncooked vegetables and meat, which required a strong and broad jaw. When agrarian societies began to cook their foods, their jaws began to shrink in size while their teeth remained the same size.

Today, about one in five people suffer from some sort of malocclusion or dental crowding. Talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic if you require any help.

It’s a common joke that the British people have terrible teeth. This is a stereotype that Americans have enjoyed for at least one hundred years, often driven by the crooked smiles of some prominent English figures. However, until now, there has been very little in the way of scientific studies comparing the oral health.

A recent study took a look at the number of teeth missing by Americans, versus their British counterparts. Their findings showed that more Americans were missing teeth than British people. Though this represents a limited look at dental health, it does indicate that American oral care may be falling short. One of the theories is that the reduced availability of dental care in America, compared to the more comprehensive welfare policies in England, may explain this discrepancy. Indeed, it was found that it was largely adults from a lower socioeconomic position in the United States who had the most problems.

The takeaway is that you should never deny yourself the professional dental care that you need and deserve. Contact our Lynnwood dentistry clinic to learn more.

It’s rare for a root canal to fail to entirely remove an infection. However, with over fifteen million root canals performed in the United States every year, it’s not unheard of for a patient to lose additional tooth structure after their treatment. That is why a recent development from a team at the UCLA School of Dentistry is presenting dental professionals with some exciting new possibilities.

The purpose of this research was to explore the dental potential of nanodiamonds, microscopic diamond particles produced as a byproduct of refining and mining diamonds. Such particles have already demonstrated a lot of medicinal uses, including cancer treatment and regenerative processes. The UCLA team created two forms of tooth filling reinforced with nanodiamonds, one of which was pre-loaded with antibiotics. They then used these fillings in the teeth of human patients to test their ability to resist infection. The findings of the study were promising, and the team plans to optimize their formula and begin clinical trials over the course of the next two years.

Whole grains have demonstrated many valuable benefits for your health, including reducing your cholesterol levels and preventing diabetes. On top of this, it would appear that whole grains also have a lot to offer to your teeth. Research has demonstrated that a diet rich in brown rice, dark bread, popcorn, and other forms of whole grains is conducive of good oral health. People who got a minimum of three servings of such foods every day are about 23% less likely to suffer from periodontitis than people who eat less than one serving.

This revelation comes to us from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The theory is that whole grains improve your ability to metabolize glucose, which results in a lower blood glucose level. Your blood therefore exposes your mouth to less of this sugary substance, discouraging decay.

To get the optimal effect for your teeth, three or four slices of whole wheat bread every day may be sufficient. Talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic for additional information on maintaining a mouth-friendly diet.

Popularized by hip-hop culture, dental “grills” are removable fixtures that fit over the front of your teeth. They are often made out of precious metals and adorned with diamond inlays, serving as an extravagant fashion statement. As these items are removable, many make the mistake of thinking that they are a harmless accessory for their mouths. However, such people are very much mistaken.

When you wear a grill, bacteria can thrive in the space between the metal and your teeth. This encourages decay. Meanwhile, the metal serves to irritate your gums, causing them to retreat from your tooth structure. In the case of the cheaper models that are not made from precious metals, nickel impurities can also cause allergic reactions in many people.

Should you experience any swelling, redness, or pain after wearing a grill, bring your grill to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic so that we can properly assess your problem. Further, try to limit the amount of time you wear your grill, as you problem will get worse with longer exposure.