Keep Diabetes in Check with Regular Dental Visits

Posted on Apr 01, 2021

Diabetics are prone to developing gum problems. This is because rises in blood sugar reduce the body’s ability to fight bacteria invading the gums. 

Untreated diabetes can cause dry mouth, cavities, inflamed and bleeding gums, an inability to taste foods, delayed wound healing, and infections inside the mouth. 

Research suggests that good oral hygiene and regular professional deep dental cleanings can actually decrease the progression of diabetes.

Other actions that those with or without diabetes can take for the benefit of their oral health are to avoid smoking, clean dentures daily, brush and floss daily, and visit a dentist for regular checkups.

To book your next appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000

Chewing Gum & the American Dental Association Seal of Approval

Posted on Mar 01, 2021

Studies show that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent tooth decay.

Chewing gum increases saliva which helps wash away food particles and neutralizes bacteria-causing acids. The added saliva produced by chewing gum carries additional calcium and phosphate which helps strengthen tooth enamel.

When shopping for chewing gum, be sure to look for the “ADA Accepted” Seal. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners. Companies that use the ADA Seal must verify all of the chewing gum ingredient information with the ADA.

So, get chewing and smacking, but remember that chewing gum is not a substitute for brushing and flossing!

To book your next appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000

6 Ways to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Posted on Feb 01, 2021

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. A common cause is frequent and prolonged exposure of sugary drinks to the child’s teeth. Here are a few ways you can ward off Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: 

• Fill bottles with only formula or milk. Avoid juice, soft drinks, and other sugary liquids.
• Babies should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
• Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth after each feeding.
• When your child’s teeth come in, gently brush them with a child-size toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• As your child grows, supervise brushing until he or she can be counted on to spit out the toothpaste.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his or her first birthday.

Book a dental appointment at Discovery Smiles today. Call 520-721-2000.

Community Water Fluoridation Program Turns 75

Posted on Jan 01, 2021

We would like to recognize and celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20^th century!

More than 70 years of scientific research shows that tap water fluoridation continues to be an effective way to reduce dental decay by at least 25 percent in adults and children. This is true even though many toothpastes and mouthwashes now include fluoride.

According to the American Dental Association, 57.8% of Arizona’s population are on public water systems receiving fluoridated water.

So, now you have one more good reason to drink more water!

To book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

All I Want for Christmas

Posted on Dec 01, 2020

One day in 1944, Donald Yetter Gardner was teaching music to a class of second graders at a public school in Smithtown, New York. When he asked the children what they wanted for Christmas, many of them answered in a lisp. It was then that he noticed that most of the students were missing at least one front tooth. This inspired Gardner to write the song, “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.”

The first time the song was performed was on Perry Como’s radio show in 1948. It has since been recorded by Nat King Cole, George Strait, Ray Stevens, The Platters, The Andrews Sisters, The Chipmunks, and The Three Stooges!

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us at Discovery Smiles.

For an appt at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

Neglected Oral Health in the Elderly

Posted on Nov 01, 2020

A new article indicates oral health is a critical component to overall health for all ages, but it’s especially important for the elderly. The incidence of cavities is nearly twice as high in older adults as in young adults, and it’s estimated that more than half of older adults in the United States have gum disease. Gum disease is associated with heart disease and diabetes.

The author of the article says simple tooth brushing can cause bacteria to be released into the blood stream, which can lead to infections in parts of the body far away from the mouth. Bacteria can cause joint and heart valve infections.

Tooth loss can make it difficult for an elderly person to chew, which can lead to malnutrition.

Patients with dementia and those in nursing homes may be at increased risk for oral health neglect.

Make sure your elderly loved ones have at least a biannual oral health assessment by a dentist, regular follow-up visits, and good daily oral hygiene.

For an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

What Parents Should Know About Tooth Gems

Posted on Oct 01, 2020

The latest craze in the genre of body piercings and tattoos is tooth gems. For a price, beauty boutiques are offering to attach tiny, temporary jewels to people’s teeth – often young people. There are also inexpensive DIY kits available. Ariana Grande, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber are a few of today’s popular celebrities who are popularizing the trend.

Whether tooth gems enhance a smile or just makes it look like you have a piece of spinach stuck to your teeth, we’ll leave to your judgement, but we do have an opinion about the advisability of tooth gems from a dental viewpoint. While these tooth gems are small, they can lead to big problems. The most obvious one is that if it comes loose, one could actually swallow it. A less obvious problem is that the adhesive used to bond the gem to the tooth can damage tooth enamel. Gems can also trap food, germs, and bacteria, resulting in an increased risk of infection. They can also cause discoloration of the tooth!

For those who want to dazzle with their smile, we suggest a whitening treatment as a safer alternative. For an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

Posted on Sep 01, 2020

According to the American Dental Association, 22% of Americans avoid seeing a dentist because of fear. We want to change that, because we know the real things to fear are the medical problems that can ensue when you DON’T visit a dentist regularly – little things like having no teeth, gum disease, heart disease, and diabetes. These conditions have all been linked to poor oral hygiene.

We think you will be very pleasantly surprised at how little there is to fear when you’re in our care. It’s okay to tell us you’re nervous. Our sympathetic and soothing staff will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and put you at ease. You can read more about our Total Comfort Commitment here.

So, what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment at Discovery Smiles now. Call us at 520-721-2000. 

Professional Athletes and Tooth Decay

Posted on Aug 01, 2020

A recent survey of more than 352 Olympic and professional cycling, football, hockey, swimming, and other athletes revealed that they have a higher incidence of tooth decay and gum disease than the general population. Yet the athletes brush their teeth more frequently than most poeple. So what accounts for the problem?

Researchers discovered that a majority of the athletes frequently consume sports drinks, energy bars, and energy gels. The sugar in these products increases the risk of tooth decay, and the acidity in them increases the risk of tooth enamel erosion.

To overcome the problem, doctors recommend that athletes increase fluoride use with mouthwash, make more frequent visits to their dentist, and reduce their intake of sports drinks.

Is it time for your next cleaning? Call Discovery Smiles at 520-721-2000 to schedule an appointment today.

7 Symptoms of Gum Disease

Posted on Jul 01, 2020

1) Bad breath that won’t go away
2) Tender or bleeding gums
3) Red or swollen gums
4) Receding gums
5) Painful chewing
6) Sensitive teeth
7) Loose teeth.

At Discovery Smiles, we use a tiny ruler to measure any pockets around your teeth. In a healthy mouth, these pockets are no greater than 3 mm. If you have deeper pockets, we may recommend taking some extra measures in your daily oral hygiene regimen, or we may recommend other  treatments to get any infection in check before it leads to tooth loss and other serious problems.

Keep your gums healthy with regular, professional cleanings. To make an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.