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While many people are likely aware of the most common risk factors associated with complications from COVID-19, including diabetes or high blood pressure, a surprising connection has emerged with dental health. In fact, a recent study found people with gum disease who become infected with COVID-19 are at increased risk of poor outcomes, including a greater chance of admission to the intensive care unit.
Gum disease – also known as periodontal disease – is generally preventable through proper brushing, flossing and routine dental cleanings. Unfortunately, nearly 50% of Americans 30 or older have some form of gum disease, with the prevalence of this condition increasing by age. More broadly, good oral health is a first line of defense to help the body protect itself from infections, systemic inflammation and various types of diseases.
While nearly everyone knows to brush during the morning and at night and to floss daily, there are numerous other ways to help maintain or improve your oral health amid COVID-19 and for years to come. Here are some strategies to consider:
• Upgrade Your Toothbrush and Technique. If you are still using a manual toothbrush, now’s the time to think about an upgrade. Electric toothbrushes offer several advantages over manual brushes, with some synching to an app to help people develop better oral health habits by providing personalized feedback, such as brushing duration, intensity and tooth/gum coverage. Most importantly, people should brush for a full two minutes, use short, gentle strokes, and keep the head at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Once brush bristles begin to fray, it’s time for a new one. To help make electric toothbrushes more affordable, some dental plans are starting to offer discounts on certain smart brushes and enabling members to earn incentives for using them.
• Focus on Gum Health. While people often think about good dental health as preventing cavities and creating a white smile, maintaining or improving gum health is of equal importance. That’s because healthy gums can prevent gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease, which may cause tooth loss and contribute to an array of other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and dementia. In addition to daily flossing, people can also use a water flosser, which shoots a stream of water between the teeth and can help reduce bacteria below the gum line. Another practice that research is showing may support gum health as a supplement to – but not a replacement for – brushing and flossing is oil pulling, which involves swishing around sunflower, sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for 20 minutes, spitting out and then rinsing with water.
• Tap into Virtual Dental Care. Virtual care has become an important option for accessing health care amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including for dentistry. Some dentists and dental plans are making available telephone and video consultations, which offer people a starting point for advice and guidance to help select, if needed, an appropriate setting for in-person care. Dental care ranks among the most frequently avoidable emergency room visits, with teledentistry providing a resource that may help people make more informed decisions about where to go for in-person care, such as their own dentist, another available local dentist or a primary care physician. Not all dental services are eligible for virtual dental care.
By considering these tips, you may help maintain or improve your oral health, as well as contribute to your overall well-being, too.
Tips for better oral health in the age of COVID-19 – Albuquerque Journal www.abqjournal.com/2501304/tips-for-better-oral-health-in-the-age-of-covid19-2.html

Healthy gums are vital for excellent oral health, just as good teeth are. Therefore, it is crucial to take great care of your gums and maintain their health.
How To Identify A Receding Gum
Periodontal disease is a progressive form of gingivitis. Gingivitis is a result of tartar which stems from plaque build-up on the teeth. While they are forming, and if left unaddressed, plaque and tartar damage the gums, causing them to recede. As the gums ‘pull back’, they leave pockets behind that form the ideal place for bacterial build-ups to form. As a result, most adults suffer from some form of periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Receding Gums Some of the primary symptoms of a receding gum line include:
Bleeding following brushing and flossing Red and swollen gums Oral odor Shrinking gums Exposed tooth roots Loose teeth Numerous reasons may underline the onset of receding gums, and it is best to remain aware of them in order to avoid their effects. Some of the main causes of a receding gum line include:
Aggressive brushing over the long term Poor oral hygiene Build-ups of tartar and plaque Hormonal changes in females Smoking Hereditary gum disease Diabetes HIV
In addition to the above causes, some cases of receding gums may have their origins in a condition called ‘dry mouth’. Dry mouth is a side effect of various illnesses and medications and interrupts the body’s saliva production. Therefore, with less saliva comes the mouth’s decreased ability to self-clean, thus allowing the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which erode the teeth and cause receding gums.
Treating Receding Gums If you notice receding gums, it is crucial to seek treatment for the problem as soon as possible. Consulting your dentist will avail you of appropriate treatment options to help you address and reverse the ailment.
In addition to in-office treatment, there are some medications available to aid in treating receding gums, including:
Topical antibiotic gel Enzyme suppressants Antimicrobial mouthwash Antiseptic chips
Without timely intervention, receding gums may require surgery to correct. The two most common surgery types employed in this instance are grafting and flap surgery. Flap surgery involves eliminating bacteria and plaque by deep cleaning the gums. This procedure may cause the teeth to appear longer for a while afterwards, although the phenomenon will correct itself once the gums adjust and fit more snugly around the teeth.
Grafting entails placing a bone or tissue particle in the gums to encourage gum and tissue regrowth around the teeth. However, the success of a grafting procedure relies on a patient’s strict adherence to proper oral hygiene afterwards.
If your dentist discovers there is insufficient gum tissue left to cover your teeth adequately, they may choose to take more drastic measures to correct the issue.
If you notice that your gums are receding, it is best to seek a dentist’s advice as soon as you can. If left untreated, receding gum lines can lead to further complications, including tooth loss in adults. Therefore, it is essential to seek any available treatment options in a timely manner.
Finally, remember that prevention is better than cure. So, you have to create and maintain good oral hygiene routines to keep your teeth healthy and eliminate gum-eroding bacteria. You can also make regular dentist appointments for deep cleaning and to detect and correct any early symptoms.
hvtimes.com/how-to-identify-and-treat-your-receding-gums/

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – About 47 percent of adults 30 and older have gum disease. That number jumps to 70 percent for those 65 and older.
Gum disease causes red, swollen and bleeding gums, and in late stages, may cause teeth to loosen and fall out.
Now, a new study shows that your gums may not be the only thing affected by this condition. Ivanhoe has details on how your mental health could be impacted,
www.wfmz.com/health/health-beat/health-beat-the-unexpected-danger-of-gum-disease/article_2da0424a-d884-11ec-bae5-0b5596750493.html

What does your oral health reveal about your mental health?
According to experts at Cleveland Clinic, your oral health can reveal more than you’d think about your mental health.
“Mental health impacts your overall health, including your oral health or the health of your teeth and your gums. Dentists are sometimes the first professionals to identify and diagnose a mental health issue and they make a lot of referrals to counselors and therapists,” explained Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.
www.abc4.com/news/what-does-your-oral-health-reveal-about-your-mental-health/

Here’s Why It Is Important To Regularly Change Your Toothbrush
www.news18.com/news/buzz/heres-why-it-is-important-to-regularly-change-your-toothbrush-5222047.html
Almost every person in the world checks the expiry date of any item before buying it and especially when it is a food item. Expiry date refers to the date after which the product becomes unusable. Consuming it after this date can be risky. Not only do we check the expiry date, but the manufacturing date as well and the conditions in which the product is being kept. But have you ever seen the expiry date of the toothbrush which we put inside our mouth every day to clean our teeth?
We often buy a toothbrush from the market and use it until its bristles are completely damaged. Or we buy one if we forget our toothbrush at home while traveling somewhere. According to experts, we should change the toothbrush regularly before it reaches its wear and tear limit.
According to dentists at Furumoto Dentistry, Dental Bar, California, a person should replace their toothbrush every three months. However, that doesn’t include the packaged duration of the toothbrush. Packaged toothbrushes do not have an expiry date. But as soon as you open it and start using it, the life cycle of your toothbrush is 3 to 4 months. After this, it is a waste to clean your teeth with that toothbrush.

Best Teeth Whitening Strips For A White Smile 2022: Do They Work And Where To Buy Them – Global Circulate
globalcirculate.com/best-teeth-whitening-strips-for-a-white-smile-2022-do-they-work-and-where-to-buy-them/
If you are in pursuit of whiter teeth and need an extra boost alongside a comprehensive oral health regime, teeth whitening strips can come in handy as a cost effective, at-home treatment. Think of it in the same was as your skin. If you’re applying a hardworking serum on top of a dirty face, it won’t be as effective. Likewise, if you keep your teeth squeaky clean, top-up tooth whiteners can make a big difference.
It’s worth the investment. It’s been shown that being self-conscious about your teeth can have a negative impact on your mental health, because it inhibits the impulse to smile, meaning you end up smiling less. Smiling has been shown to kickstart dopamine and serotonin production in the brain, both of which help promote feelings of overall happiness and reduced stress. The connection between our teeth and our mood goes the other way, too. If we’re stressed, we’re more likely to grind our teeth, causing the enamel to wear down and break, muscle tightness and even migraines.
The first step to a healthy smile is getting the fundamentals of your oral health routine in order. Brush your teeth twice a day (minimum – ideally you should brush after every meal), floss at the end of the day (and after heavy meals), drink through a straw if you’re having coffee, tea, wine and anything that might stain teeth, use mouthwash daily and visit the dentist once a year, and the oral hygienist every six months. Unless you’re brushing, flossing and mouth-washing regularly, chances are your teeth will be showing signs of oral ill health, including a build up of plaque, stains, receding gums and bad breath.

Does This Celebrity Floss Their Teeth www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/celebs-floss-or-not