Endre Selmeczy DMD

How smoking affects your teeth While the general effects of smoking on your health are well-known, it can also have significant effects on your oral health. Here are some of the ways smoking can harm your oral health and hygiene:... Oral Cancer Periodontal (gum) disease Delayed healing after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery Bad breath Stained teeth and tongue Diminished sense of taste and smell Research suggests that smoking may be responsible for almost 75% of adult gum disease. Tobacco products damage your gum tissue by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. One effect is receding gums which expose the tooth roots and increase your risk of tooth decay or to sensitivity to hot and cold in these unprotected areas. Cigar smoking is equally a major risk and even smokeless tobacco products contain a variety of toxins associated with cancer. Smokeless tobacco can also irritate your gum tissue. Giving up smoking will provide a significant boost to your oral health as well as giving you the chance to live longer. #DentistLivermoreCA #GeneralDentistLivermoreCA #DentalCareLivermoreCA

How a healthy diet can help you have healthy teeth Eating the right food plays an important role in developing healthy teeth and gums. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to fight infection and this can contribute to gum disease.... Although poor nutrition does not cause gum disease directly, the disease may progress faster and could be more severe in people with diets which are low in nutrients. #DentistLivermoreCA #GeneralDentistLivermoreCA #DentalCareLivermoreCA

The risks of oral piercing Young people today choose to make a variety of fashion statements affecting not just the clothes they wear but also their bodies through tattoos and piercing, for example. Oral piercing may be something they feel looks good but it can lead to problems where they end up needing medical or dental treatment.... Oral piercing can often lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, infection, increased saliva flow and injuries to the gum tissue. There can be severe bleeding if a blood vessel is in the path of the needle during the piercing. Swelling of the tongue is also a common side effect and, in extreme cases, this can block the airway and lead to breathing difficulties. Other possible problems include chipped or cracked teeth, blood poisoning or even blood clots. Infection is a very common complication of oral piercing because of the millions of bacteria in your mouth. Of course, the jewelry itself also causes risk. It can be swallowed or cause damage to your teeth. So, while young people may feel piercings in the mouth look cool, a great smile will look a lot better in the years to come. #DentistLivermoreCA #GeneralDentistLivermoreCA #DentalCareLivermoreCA

What is plaque and how does it affect your teeth? Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that covers our teeth and, when we eat something, these bacteria release acids that attack the tooth enamel. When these attacks are repeated over time, the enamel will break down and this will eventually lead to cavities.... When plaque is not removed through daily brushing and cleaning it hardens into calculus or tartar. When tartar collects above the gum line, brushing and cleaning between the teeth becomes more difficult. The gum tissue can become swollen or may bleed. This is called gingivitis and it is the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself against this happening: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner Eat a balanced diet and limit the number of snacks between meals Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams Ask your dentist about sealants these are protective coatings that can be applied to the back teeth where decay often starts. If you take steps to remove the plaque each day, you have a greater chance of avoiding tooth and gum problems. #DentistLivermoreCA #GeneralDentistLivermoreCA #DentalCareLivermoreCA