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All Posts Tagged: Oral Health

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what does it mean if my tongue is color

What Does it Mean When Your Tongue is…

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If you’re like me, you probably take your tongue’s color for granted. We have an image of what a tongue should look like, but what happens when your tongue’s color or texture is no longer in-line with what you THINK it should be? There are actually many health conditions that can affect the look and feel of your tongue. So if you tongue is not a healthy-looking pink, say “ahhhh” in the mirror and take some notes. You may be able to spot an illness or medical condition based on what you see in the mirror! At 3V Dental we take dental and oral health care very serious. If you have any questions about your oral or tongue health, contact our local Port Washington dentist office today to schedule a consultation.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is White?

If you can’t remove the white coating from your tongue with frequent brushing of your teeth or by rinsing your mouth, then the papillae on the tongue are likely contaminated with bacteria. This bacterial overgrowth is a buildup that occurs between the papillae of your tongue, and it is often difficult to remove. To remove this debris, you should use an antibacterial mouthwash and a tongue scraper several times a day.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Black?

When you notice a black hairy growth on your tongue, it is likely caused by yeast or bacteria on your tongue. The papillae on your tongue can become contaminated and irritated, causing the taste buds to lengthen and grow rather than shedding from the tongue’s surface. It is important to take medication for this condition so that the bacteria and yeast don’t infect your mouth’s gum tissue or alveolar bones. If you notice that your tongue is black, contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Red?

You can develop a red tongue from eating or drinking certain types of foods or beverages, but this condition can also occur from chronic inflammation inside your mouth or throat. The antibiotic treatment to cure strep throat can also make your tongue’s surface turn red. If you have white patches on top of an inflamed tongue, then you probably have oral thrush. To eliminate a yeast infection, you will need specialized medication to destroy the fungus.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Bumpy?

If you have a bumpy tongue, then something is irritating your mouth, causing an allergic reaction. Alternatively, you may have burned your tongue with a hot beverage or a spicy food, and the papillae on the tongue’s surface can swell and become tender. In most cases, the bumps will disappear within a few days, but occasionally, bumps on the tongue can indicate that you have cancer inside your mouth. However, before thinking the worst, contact our Port Washington dental office today to speak with an oral care consultant.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Coated?

A coated tongue will have a pale surface from an overgrowth of bacteria or because the papillae on the surface of your tongue are inflamed. You might have a coating on your tongue when you have a severe sore throat that is frequently caused by streptococcal bacteria. This coating on your tongue causes a foul and distinctive odor that is repellent. You will probably have a bad taste in your mouth when you have a coated tongue.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Fuzzy?

When your tongue feels fuzzy, you may want to visit a dentist for a professional teeth-cleaning procedure. The debris that collects on your tongue is made from dead skin cells, bacteria and food particles, and if your tongue has fuzziness, then it indicates that you aren’t brushing and flossing enough. Not only should you have your teeth cleaned to remove the bacteria, but also, you need to buy a plastic tongue scraper to keep your tongue cleaner.

What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Wrinkled?

During your examination for gum disease or cavities, a dentist can determine if you have a scrotal-type of tongue condition that causes deep fissures that makes it look wrinkly. Seeing a wrinkled tongue is one of the signs of having a serious infection in the mouth or body. It is also a symptom of having severe malnutrition that can affect the health of your alveolar bones, gum tissue or teeth. In most cases, this tongue condition is painless in the beginning, but it indicates that you must improve your daily diet to boost your immune system.

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signs of gum disease dentist port washington ny

The Importance of Gum Health

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Maintaining healthy gums is not only paramount to exhibiting aesthetically-pleasing personal qualities such as a nice smile but also may have far reaching consequences in determining an individual’s overall health and well-being in both the near and distant future. This short article will highlight several ways in which the gums can impact general bodily health. Remember, our Port Washington dentist office specializes in oral care and gum health. Be sure to schedule your annual checkup with one of our dentists today for a full screening on gum health!

Oral Health

Failure to regularly perform oral care maintenance actions like tooth brushing, utilizing floss to remove food and other particles that may collect between the teeth and receiving regular and thorough dental and periodontal checkups can precipitate two types of gum infections known respectively as gingivitis and periodontitis. Though considered a mild oral malady, gingivitis can elicit several bothersome symptoms such as gums that are swollen, red, sensitive and easily susceptible to bleeding. Should this disease not be adequately managed, it could be the harbinger of the more serious oral ailment periodontitis, which precipitates more painful manifestations of the symptoms associated with gingivitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Nutritional Intake and the Impact on Your Gums

Should gum disease progress, a stricken individual might notice pain while eating and drinking or may find performing actions like chewing difficult. In instances where he or she has experienced a significant degree of tooth loss, consuming certain foods altogether might be challenging. Prolonged eating challenges might precipitate problems that could one day manifest in a host of nutritional deficiencies and other diseases.

Prevent Infection with Improved Gum Health

People with gum disease often have an increased concentration of bacteria circulating throughout their mouths. In some cases, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, this bacteria can spread beyond the mouth, enter the bloodstream and potentially cause infection to a vital organ or bodily region.

Prevent Heart And Circulation Problems with Better Gum Care

Scientific studies conducted have shown the bacteria that enters the bloodstream via the oral route may also precipitate inflammation, or swelling in the areas of the body in which it collects. One region these microbial organisms are believed to collect is in and around the blood vessels in the heart. Eventually, this process could lead to atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries, which may contribute to heart attacks and interrupted circulation.

Diabetes May be Prevented

Other scientific research has concluded that uncontrolled blood sugar may lead to oral maladies. Diabetes typically causes a thickening of the blood vessels which can result in a decrease in the body’s ability to eliminate waste products such as the plaque and bacteria that builds up on teeth.

Other Conditions

Poor oral care is also believed to potentially contribute to other medical conditions such as premature birth, respiratory ailments, and low birth-weight in infants born to stricken mothers.

How Gum Disease Can Be Avoided

The best way to avoid oral maladies is to devote significant attention to maintaining oral care. Most dentists recommend brushing of the teeth at least several times per day and flossing after each meal. In addition, dentists and periodontists recommend that their patients receive routine oral and periodontal checkups. However, should any significant dental or periodontal malady develop, patients might need to prevent the spread of such ailments by undergoing more aggressive forms of non-surgical gum treatments such as gum laser treatments.

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foods that improve teeth and oral health

7 Foods that Might Improve Your Dental Health

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Proper nutrition means eating a well balanced diet so that your body gets the fuel it needs to run at peak performance. Because nutrition affects all aspects of our body, a less than stellar diet can have serious impacts on your oral health. Improved nutrition means that your mouth can better fight off infections, which can result in gum disease and tooth decay.

At 3V Dental Associates, we’re happy to say a healthy smile starts in the kitchen! So have a look at these healthy foods and try adding them to your diet for improved health, and teeth!

#1 Cheese or Milk

Both cheese and milk contain calcium, which boosts your smile just by adding to the vitamin and mineral levels in your body. Calcium helps to strengthen teeth and bones and can enhance your smile just by incorporating more into your daily diet. When your teeth are stronger and whiter, you’ll also be likely to feel naturally like smiling more.

#2 Apples

Like some other fruits and vegetables, apples help scrub teeth while you’re eating and have often been referred to as nature’s toothbrush. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to keep your mouth moisturized and your teeth looking fresh.

#3 Carrots

Carrots are not only beneficial for eyesight, they also help to remove plaque from your teeth and gums while you chew. A regular diet incorporating the raw vegetable can allow you to use their natural texture to keep your mouth healthy.

#4 Celery

While the diet benefits of celery have been widely known for a long time, people may not be aware that this vegetable also scrubs teeth with its natural texture. Next time you’re in need of a quick snack but don’t want to add plaque to your teeth and gums, reach for a stalk of this veggie that cleans plaque away naturally.

#5 Raw Onion

Raw onion is a natural antibacterial agent, so chewing on some can naturally help your mouth and breath to stay clean and to fight disease. While you may end up with onion breath afterward, it’s worth it every once in awhile to maintain a healthy mouth. Keeping your mouth’s bacteria in balance can help your breath, too.

#6 Cashews

Nuts like cashews are full of vitamins and minerals that can benefit your teeth. They’re high in iron, which is known to increase gum circulation, and they’re also natural antioxidants. Both can help keep your teeth in good shape while you chew.

#7 Wasabi

New research shows that wasabi may also benefit dental health. They’re also an antibacterial food, which is excellent for keeping your teeth clean and having the right balance of bacteria in your body.
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