The Dangers of Bulimia

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Bulimia is a form of eating disorder. Bulimic people have a strong fear of gaining weight, and operate under the theory that they can avoid doing so if they regurgitate their food shortly after eating it. This practice is not only preventing them from benefiting from the necessary nutrients in their food, but it is also highly unhealthy for your teeth and gums.

Indeed, any situation where you find yourself vomiting a lot is going to have implications for your oral health. Every time you vomit, you are subjecting your throat and mouth to the brutal digestive acids of your stomach. If you’re doing this on a daily basis, you are quickly eroding your tooth enamel and breaking down your delicate tissues, inviting serious decay and gum disease. This is why bulimics are known to frequently lose their teeth.

Our Lynnwood dentistry clinic encourages patients to foster lifestyles that are healthy and sustainable. If you require further assistance in maintaining good dental hygiene, contact Song Dental during normal business hours.

Magnet Therapy: What is the Attraction?

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

People have been interested in the potential curative properties of magnets since ancient times. To this day, some people still wear strong magnetic bracelets in an effort to remedy many conditions, including general pains, dental pains, migraines, fatigue, insomnia, and more. But is this for real?

It is unclear just how much magnets help to relieve pain or other conditions. Some people claim that the magnetism helps circulate your blood, since red blood cells contain iron; this claim is meritless, though, since the iron in your blood is not in a magnetic state. However, it is true that magnetic fields exist in your body, particularly in your heart.

The final word is that, while there has been some evidence in favor of magnet therapy, there is nothing substantial enough to go off of. If you need help with your dental pain, talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic for ways to help manage it.

What is Tartar Control Toothpaste?

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

There are many options available when it comes to toothpaste. Something that you probably see a lot when shopping for a new brand is “tartar control”. What does such toothpaste entail, and is it a good choice for you and your family? Our Lynnwood dentistry clinic has the answers you need.

The aim of tartar control toothpaste is to offer greater preventive measures against the development of tartar. It accomplishes this with chemical compounds like pyrophosphates and zinc citrate, which have been shown to be effective against tartar. On top of this, some toothpastes also contain antibiotics to control the bacteria in your mouth.

Tartar control toothpaste can be a good choice for many people. However, it is important to remember that such toothpaste is good only for preventing the formation of tartar, and not for the removal of existing tartar. The only effective way to get rid of tartar after it has formed is to have it scaled away by a dental professional, so get your regular cleanings with Song Dental every six months.

Black Hairy Tongue

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Is your tongue taking on the appearance of being covered in black or similarly-colored hair? This is a condition known simply as black hairy tongue, a painless yet detrimental development that our Lynnwood dentistry clinic can help you with.

Black hairy tongue happens when the papillae on your tongue lengthen. This not only creates a hair-like appearance, but also captures bacteria and detritus within your mouth. The pigments from your food and bacteria will gradually turn the papillae black, or occasionally brown, yellow, green, or another color.

The causes of black hairy tongue are many, and include the following:

  • Bad oral hygiene
  • Smoking
  • Drinking a lot of tea or coffee
  • Antibiotics or medication
  • Dehydration
  • Mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol
  • Radiation therapy in the head or neck

Getting rid of black hairy tongue is probably just a matter of improving your oral hygiene. In particular, start scraping your tongue if you do not already. Other than this, you might consider quitting smoking, drinking more water, or consulting your dentist for other options.

The Dental Dangers of Chlorinated Pools

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Do you like to swim? Swimming is one of the best ways to get your exercise, and a great way to keep cool in the hot summer months. However, our Lynnwood dentistry clinic advises that your chlorinated pool water may not always be good for your oral health.

In a study, 15% of people who identified as frequent swimmers showed signs of erosion on their tooth enamel. This is significantly higher than the 3% of people with enamel erosion who said that they do not frequently swim. The problem here appears to be in the chlorine, which can become too acidic if it isn’t properly balanced in your pool water. In order to avoid unnecessary erosion as a swimmer, check with your pool to see if the water’s pH is properly monitored, and try your best to keep the pool water out of your mouth.

What is a Mucocele?

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Some patients will come to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic with concerns about unusual bumps or discolorations in their mouths. One of these is known as a mucocele. These typically manifest as a small, round bump, between two and ten millimeters in diameter, either pearly white or light bluish in color. They may appear anywhere on the inside of your bottom lip, on your gums, or on the roof or floor of your mouth.

Mucoceles are the result of a salivary duct getting blocked or damaged. Maybe you experienced some trauma on your face, or maybe you have a habit of biting or sucking on your lip or cheek too much. The good news is that they’re generally painless and harmless, and will likely go away without treatment, but your dentist can help you if they start to grow or become bothersome.

Protect Your Child from Thrush!

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Thrush is a fungal condition caused by the candida fungus. It can afflict people of any age, though it is most common as an infection of the mouth in infants and toddlers. You can help to protect yourself and your little one from this painful condition by taking the following advice from your Lynnwood dental clinic:

What you need to understand about the candida fungus is that it is generally going to be present in your mouth at any time, though it is largely kept under control by your saliva. This is why stress, smoking, medication, and other forces that cause dry mouth can allow the fungus to flourish. If you can keep such factors managed in your own life, you are less likely to spread an infection to your vulnerable infant.

Aside from this, it’s mostly a matter of general dental care; observe proper oral hygiene with your child, limit his or her intake of sugary or yeast-heavy food, and take him or her in for regular dentist appointments. Should all else fail and your child end up with thrush, please contact Song Dental Center.

Is Baking Soda a Good Substitute for Toothpaste?

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

Some people like to use baking soda as an alternative to toothpaste. Indeed, some toothpastes even advertise that they contain baking soda, so what could the harm be? If you’re wondering whether or not baking soda actually can serve as a viable substitute for your regular toothpaste, our Lynnwood dental clinic has the answer.

In truth, you can get a lot out of a baking soda that you need from a toothpaste. It’s good at neutralizing acids, killing microbes, and scrubbing harmful plaque off of your teeth. The big problem with straight baking soda is that it is fairly abrasive, compared to a proper toothpaste. So, while it may serve well in a pinch, you would do well to not make habitual use of baking soda.

Meanwhile, baking soda toothpastes give you the benefits of baking soda without all of the same abrasiveness. These products represent a good option for your teeth, and one that many shoppers appreciate for their thorough cleaning, their low price, and the fresh feeling they leave behind in your mouth.