Tag: Oral Hygiene

Smile On!

According to a Journal of Psychological Science study people smile big and smile often live longer! Go to your dentist today to get your best smile on.

How did they prove it? Researchers from Wayne State University looked though images of 230 baseball athletes. By comparing images of smiles of the players at the peak of their career to frequency of smiles throughout their lifespan.

So what did they find?

Researchers found a correlation between the amount players smiled in photos and their average lifespan.  Players prone to bigger mugs, in more photos, lived up to seven years than those who didn’t turn their frown upside own.

The study isn’t all just for laughs; it was controlled for other factors that affect health and longevity, including obesity and socioeconomic status.

What you can do is embrace a positive attitude everyday. Walk out the door and smile. Before you walk out the door, brush you teeth and floss! You’ll be even more confident about those pearly whites. You’ll be excited to smile to show off that grin. Call your dentists for an additional teeth cleaning too.

The results are consistent with recent studies that point to a positive association between smiling and things such as personality stability, and social skills.

A big toothy smile matters! It can extend your life YEARS.

Are you anxious about your smile? Reach out to Dr. Mark Reichman today.

 

Does Salt affect your Oral Health?

Does salty food cause oral health problems?

Sodium consumption is generally understood to be damaging for overall health. Intake of too much dietary sodium is associated with high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. Today, Dr. Mark Reichman analyzes salt’s affect on your oral health. Or rather, sodium’s affect on your oral health.

Sodium is not exactly the salt you shake onto bland foods. Salt alone does not damage tooth enamel. It’s the sodium component of unhealthy foods, and usually high-carb foods and high in sodium. Even more so, these foods are usually highly processed.  The American Heart Association warns against using salt liberally in your diet. If products are already sugary and rich in carbs,  like pizza, pasta, breads, and snacks like pretzels and chips, they should be enjoyed infrequently in moderation. These treats are among the top carriers of sodium in the American diet. They may be relatively low in sugar but their starches metabolize into simple sugars. Processed foods like the ones mentioned above often contribute to higher potential for decay and disease.

The bacteria in your mouth that grows into plaque and tartar multiplies through exposure to simple sugars.  The longer the unhealthy elements remain in your mouth, the higher the risk on your tooth enamel.

So, damage can be prevented by avoiding sodium-rich foods.

However, applying sodium it to your teeth through certain tools is actually beneficial. The American Dental Association approves sodium lauryl sulfate and other sodium-based compounds because they act as foaming detergents. Mild salt rinses are often recommended to soothe tooth sores and cleanse bacterial infections.

Senior citizens are told to hold a <2300 mg/d level of daily sodium consumption. Even though the statistics don’t require you to limit their salt intake, it is usually advised that the elderly watch their sodium intake especially to protect their teeth. But a study by the Institute of Medicine shows was no significant evidence showing correlation between sodium consumption and mortality rate.