Author Archives: Sixth Avenue Dentistry

Is Gum Disease Linked to Pancreatic Cancer?

Since your mouth serves as the gateway to the rest of your body, poor oral hygiene can manifest in ways that go far beyond tooth decay or gingivitis. Bad dental health can cause a long list of diseases elsewhere in your body, one of which may be pancreatic cancer.

This information is coming from a research team at the Harvard School of Public Health. According to their study, there is evidence that gum disease may be linked to pancreatic cancer. Specifically, there appears to be a relationship between the cancer and a form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This is the form of gum disease that afflicts the tissues supporting your teeth and leads to a loss of bone structure in your jaw. The group’s study indicated that men with a history of periodontitis were 64% more likely to develop malignant growths in the pancreas, compared to men who never had such gum disease. It remains whether this represents causation or correlation.

In either case, you can’t go wrong maintaining good oral health. Contact our South Seattle dentist to schedule your regular check up today.

Recovering from a Tooth Extraction

Following a tooth extraction, you will have to give yourself a little time to recover. In general, you can expect this recovery to take a few days. During this time, you will want to take measures to expedite your healing process and avoid unnecessary pain:

  • Bite down on a gauze pad every so often to check for bleeding. If you’re still bleeding after twenty-four hours following your extraction, contact your dentist.
  • Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for fifteen to twenty minutes in the first twenty-four hours. After that, switch to a warm washcloth for two or three days.
  • After the first twenty-four hours, rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce any pain or swelling.
  • Avoid any actions that requires you to suck through your mouth, like drinking through a straw or smoking. This can loosen a blood clot and invite bleeding.
  • Eat soft foods, then gradually introduce solid foods as you recover.
  • Prop your head up when you recline to avoid bleeding.
  • 31Avoid stress and strenuous activity that might encourage bleeding.

For more on what to expect following the extraction of a wisdom tooth or other tooth, consult our dentist in the International District.

Does Bad Oral Health Lead to Dementia?

Good oral health results in more than just freedom from tooth decay and gum disease. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and therefore has an important aspect on your health in general. This even applies to your mental health.

According to a study from the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry, bad oral health may contribute to the development of dementia. Researchers examined tissue samples from twenty different brains, ten taken from people with healthy brains and ten from people who suffered from dementia. Four of the brains with dementia showed signs of a certain bacteria known to thrive in gum disease.

More research is needed on the subject, but it remains clear that your mouth has a significant connection to your brain. So, for the sake of both your mouth and your mind, remember to maintain regular appointments with our International District dentist.

Tongue Scraping for Better Taste

Most of the patients at our International District dentist office are aware that tongue scraping is an important part of their daily oral hygiene. The plaque on your tongue is just as harmful as the plaque on your teeth, and invites decay and tongue-related diseases upon you. However, the benefits of tongue scraping do not end with your health.

Consider what it means to have your tongue coated with a layer of plaque; when you eat your food, this plaque is preventing you from receiving the full effect of its flavors. It’s much like trying to read Braille through a pair of gloves. In fact, it has been found that blocking off your taste buds in this way results in false cravings and a dulled ability to enjoy your food. Therefore, if the health benefits are not enough to get you to scrape your tongue every day, do it for the sake of your favorite dishes.

To learn more about tongue scraping, talk to your dentist at Sixth Avenue Dentistry.

Warning Signs of Fractured Teeth

A fractured tooth is a big dental problem. Just like a cavity, it represents a breach in your protective enamel that allows your oral bacteria to penetrate into your dentin and rot away your tooth structure. Also like a cavity, it is entirely possible to live with a fractured tooth without ever realizing that you have a problem. Your tooth may feel normal to the touch, and you may not experience any pain until your pulp becomes infected. Therefore, be on the lookout for the following warning signs that your tooth may be broken:

  • Erratic pain when you chew
  • Pain, swelling, or pocketing in the gums
  • Pain that results from cold temperatures
  • A rough or sharp feeling on the surface of your tooth

If you think that you might have a fractured tooth, it is important for you to bring it to our International District dentist before the damage can progress too far.