Put Your "Tax Refund" Money Where Your Mouth Is, Literally!

Your smile is the first things people notice about you, so why use your tax refund to protect that precious smile!    For Smile Confidence, inside and out: Always brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes Floss between your teeth daily Make twice yearly oral health visits with us to ensure a confident and healthy smile  Wear a mouth guard when you're active or playing sports   Avoid starchy & sugary snacks or beverages Don't smoke Don't pierce your lips or any part of your mouth

Concerns about your Smile Confidence    Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth get their name by being the last teeth to come in during young adulthood, the time of life when you gain maturity or "wisdom." The majority of people have most of their permanent teeth by age 13. Your wisdom teeth should come into your mouth between the ages of 17-21. Sometimes they do not have enough room to come in normally or are in the wrong position to come straight up. When that happens, Dr. Korinis may refer to them as impacted and they may have to be removed.   Not everyone's teeth develop on the same schedule. That's why it's important to see Dr. Korinis regularly so he can monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth. Every patient is unique but wisdom teeth may need to be removed when there is evidence of changes in the mouth such as: pain infection cysts tumors damage to adjacent teeth gum disease tooth decay Dr. Korinis may also recommend removing your wisdom teeth to prevent problems or for others reasons, such as when removal is part of getting braces, treating gums or other dental procedures.   Smoking  You know smoking is bad for you in general, so it should be no surprise that all forms of tobacco are also harmful to your oral health. For one, they can cause bad breath, but that's only the beginning. Other possible oral health impacts include: oral cancer gum disease and tooth loss   stained teeth and tongue dulled sense of taste and smell slow healing after a tooth extraction or oral surgery difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems   Quitting is the only way to decrease your risk of these and other tobacco-related health problems. The addictive quality of nicotine, which is found in cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, can make this especially difficult. Make a plan to quit, stick to it and start living a healthier life. A smoke-free environment is healthier for you and for those around you.

Mouth Jewelry  Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health. That's because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. You could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage. An infected oral piercing can also lead to more serious systemic infections, including hepatitis or endocarditis.   Eating Disorders   Eating disorders arise from a variety of complex physical, emotional and social issues.  These eating disorders can also affect a person's oral health. Without the proper nutrition, gums and other soft tissue inside the mouth may bleed easily. The glands that produce saliva may swell and individuals may experience chronic dry mouth. Throwing up frequently can affect teeth too. That's because when strong stomach acid repeatedly flows over teeth, the tooth's enamel can be lost to the point that the teeth change in color, shape and length. The edges of teeth become thin and break off easily.

Mouth Guards If you play a sport or are active in things like skateboarding or snowboarding, it's a good idea to wear a mouth guard. It may feel funny at first, but mouth guards are the best thing you can do to protect your teeth from getting broken or knocked out. They cushion blows that would otherwise cause injuries to the lips and face and sometimes even jaw fractures. There are many different kinds of mouth guards; ask Dr. Korinis which one is right for you.   For more information on keeping teeth healthy or any topic discussed in this newsletter, please contact us at 201-444-2383.

Please be sure to visit our website at www.bergensmileconfidence.com.