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Chronic periodontal disease has been linked to a number of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. Perhaps the most terrifying disease periodontal disease is linked to, is Alzheimer’s. Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's and 1 in 3 seniors will die with some form of Alzheimer’s.

Direct Link between Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s

In 2010, researchers from New York University (NYU) used 20 years of data following a group of people from age 50-70 and found a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer's disease. At the age of 70, people with inflamed gums were nine times more likely to score low on the cognitive test.

How Gum Disease Can ...

Going to the dentist for regular cleanings will help prevent periodontal disease (aka gum disease), remove plaque buildup and help avoid cavities. However, the most important tool in fighting oral disease is the humble toothbrush. Brushing your teeth can help save you thousands of dollars in expensive restorative dental care. However, if you use the wrong toothbrush, you can do more harm than good. Read on to learn more about the toothbrush and the best way to make sure you are keeping your teeth clean.

History of the Toothbrush

Around 3500 hundred BC, ancient Babylonians and Egyptians used “toothbrushes” that were nothing more than frayed twigs to help clean their teeth and ...

At Associates of Dental Arts in Joplin, we care about our patient’s health. That is why we encourage all of our patients that smoke to quit if at all possible. We know it is hard but we also know you can do it. This coming Thursday is the Great American Smokeout Day and on this day smokers everywhere are supposed to quit smoking for at least 24 hours. But why not go all the way and make it the first day you kick the habit for good. Let’s look at some of the benefits of quitting smoking relating to your oral health to help get you motivated.

It’s All About the ...

Infections in the mouth can put yourself and those around you at risk of secondary infections. When you have a healthy immune system it is easy to ignore the effects gum disease has on your body as a whole but more and more research points to the fact that abscessed teeth and gum infections have a systemic effect on the body. A study published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) again highlights the systemic effect of oral infection by looking at patients in ICU.

Infections in other parts of the body can start from infections in ...

According to an article in the Daily Mail, white teeth can be obtained by eating certain foods. You probably have heard about avoiding things that stain your teeth such as red wine and coffee. But the article also highlights foods that can help clean your teeth as well.

So what is the key to a white teeth diet? The article highlights three important factors, “chewing, saliva and staining.” So what foods should you be eating?

Chewing:

Crunchy foods such as apples, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and celery are highlighted in the article as good food choices because chewing them will help clean teeth like a toothbrush. Hard cheeses are also a good ...

So you went to the dentist and were told you needed a scaling and root planing. Your dentist probably brought up things like swollen gums, deep pockets, bleeding gums, and gingivitis. But what is the difference between a cleaning and scaling and root planing and why can’t you just get a regular cleanings? These are totally normal questions but the bottom line is that gum disease (a.k.a. periodontal disease) can be a major issue for your mouth and your overall health. Besides the bleeding gums, bad breath and sensitivity, untreated gum disease can cause you to lose your teeth. Even though periodontal disease is an infection in your mouth and ...

Can dental appointments give a clue to the health of the economy? According to an article in Business Weekly they may. Follow-up appointments kept, hygiene appointments, planned treatments vs actual treatment and accounts receivable all can help gauge consumer confidence and predict the direction of the economy. So where are we going? The numbers do not look good.

Patients are not coming back for their regular follow-up as regularly. According to the article, this is an indicator of a lack of consumer confidence and the numbers have fallen to match the down years of 2007-2009. The difference between what patients schedule to do at their regular hygiene appointments and what is ...