Tag oral health

Receding Gums

Everyone is aware that brushing is important for the overall health of teeth, but often people forget about the health of their gums. However, caring for you gums is just as important as caring for your teeth. A common problem, and one that can be an indicator of more severe problems on the horizon, is receding gums.

Gum recession is when the edge of the tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back from the teeth and wears away, exposing more of the tooth, or, eventually, the tooth’s root. This is a sign of gum disease. Gum recession is hard on the teeth as well. Gaps form between the teeth and gum line, which act as havens for bacteria. This can cause severe damage to the teeth and even jaw if not treated quickly and correctly.

Receding gums are common, but sometimes hard to catch. The first sign of gum recession is usually sensitive teeth, or  it may be that one of your teeth looks a bit longer than usual. It’s important to look for these signs and be aware of the causes of gum recession. Bacteria can eat away at gums, so infrequent brushing and flossing can cause receding gums. On the other hand, brushing your teeth too hard can also cause gums to wear away. Bruxism, or tooth grinding, and jaw clenching put pressure on teeth and gums, causing recession. Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can also cause undue stress on the teeth and gums. Oral piercings can sometimes wear gum tissue away by constantly rubbing or irritating oral tissue. Using tobacco products also increases plaque that is damaging to gums. Even things like hormone fluctuations, especially in women, can make gums susceptible to recession, and some people are genetically more likely to develop gum disease. No matter how well you care for your teeth, you should visit the dentist regularly.

Mild gum recession may be treated by your dentist by deep cleaning the affected area. Sometimes antibiotics can be prescribed to get rid of any remaining harmful bacteria. If the condition is severe, gum surgery may be required to repair the damage. An oral surgeon may do a pocket depth reduction, which eradicates bacteria from the gum tissue, or a soft tissue graft if your teeth and gums have been very damaged. In order to avoid these complications, pay attention to your gums and visit your dentist regularly.

The Effects of Smiling

Did you know that smiling is beneficial to your overall health. Smiling makes the body produce T-cells (white blood cells) and antibodies in  larger quantities. This means your immune system’s efficiency increases. High blood pressure can also be reduced by cracking a smile more often. Research has suggested that those who smile more often have a longer life expectancy of nearly an entire decade. If you go beyond a smile and start to laugh, you can burn calories, tighten your abs, and condition your heart as well.

Even when you don’t feel like smiling, faking it can turn your mood around by releasing endorphins, which are the hormones that make you feel happy. Smiling also reduces stress by releasing serotonin. If you’re having a bad day, try making yourself smile! It will often turn from a forced smile into a real one.

Infants are born with the natural phenomenon of being able to smile! They may not smile in a reaction to outside stimulus until they’re between four and six weeks of age, but they can smile as soon as two hours after being born. Humans are hardwired to smile as a way of showing pleasure and love. Babies will smile in their sleep from birth.

Smiling can also increase your success. When you smile consistently, studies have shown that people will assume you are doing well. Research indicates that people who smile appear to be extra confident, capable, and they may be more likely to receive a promotion. When you smile, you will appear more approachable and self-assured as well, which is a great help in the workplace. This is why those in customer service are directed to smile. Interestingly, those who do smile, often show better results in their sales.

In some studies, subjects were more likely to select a person who was smiling as being attractive over a person who did not smile. In one study, most people surveyed said that women look younger and more beautiful when they are smiling. A confident smile will attract people to you.

Many people say they are less likely to smile when they don’t feel confident in their oral health. Remember to keep good care of your teeth and visit the dentist often—it does more than just help your teeth. It helps you to smile more, and with all these benefits, it’s something everyone should strive for.