If you like eggs, you are in luck when it comes to taking care of your gums and teeth. Eggs are both nutritional and soft to eat, which make them especially beneficial for anyone who has difficulties chewing.

How Eggs Can Improve Your Oral Health

Eggs have received a bad reputation for containing cholesterol. However, if you eat them in moderation, they can actually benefit you, particularly when it comes to your dental health. For example, eggs contain vitamin D. For the body to absorb calcium, vitamin D must also be present in the body. While you can get vitamin D from sunlight, eggs are safer as they don’t overexpose you to UV light. In addition, eggs contain selenium, which heals oral lesions and cures oral ulcers. The protein in eggs are also beneficial to the teeth. Protein is required, as well for mucosal tissue development. Protein significantly contributes to the health of the teeth. Another nutritional element that eggs contain is vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Without this nutritional component, you can develop mouth sores.

How Can I Include Eggs In My Diet

Besides scrambling eggs, serving them sunnyside up, or boiling them, you can eat eggs in souffles, or add them to protein drinks. You can also include them in potato salads. Adding them to your diet will strengthen your teeth and improve your overall health. One low-calorie and healthy way to make eggs is to prepare a on-pan brunch made of eggs, mushrooms, and kale. Doing so just takes minutes, and gives you all you need with respect to taste and nutrition.

Besides eating the right foods, you also need to schedule dental visits every 6 months to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for an exam and professional cleaning if you have not seen us within the last 6 months.

Do you dislike how toothpaste tastes when you brush your teeth? There are a few different flavors of toothpaste that have been available for a while, but you may not find any of them to your liking. Some taste very minty, while others may not have much of a taste to them at all. Fortunately, there are a number of new toothpaste flavors out there that could help make brushing more fun. Here’s how.

You’ll Enjoy Brushing

Does anyone really like brushing their teeth? Unless you have something stuck between two of them or you have a weird taste in your mouth, brushing is likely something you neither enjoy nor dislike. Because of this, though, you may not necessarily care if you miss brushing your teeth one morning or skipping one night because you’re already in bed and almost asleep. If you actually liked brushing your teeth, though, it might be different. Having a flavor you actually enjoy can help with that. Going to bed with a nice taste in your mouth or having a good flavor to carry you through the morning commute can actually be more motivational than you might think. With one of these new flavors, you may start looking forward to brushing.

New Flavors Encourage Children To Develop Good Brushing Habits

New flavors of toothpaste can also help children develop good brushing habits. If you’re a parent, you may know how difficult it can be to get your children to brush their teeth in the morning or before bed. It’s a task they don’t like. If they had toothpaste in a flavor they enjoyed, though, brushing may become more fun. You might not have to encourage them quite as much. Of course, you do want to make certain the toothpaste you’re using is the right option for you. With multiple brands saying they’re the best, it can be hard to know which one you should use. We can help with that. Give us a call and we’ll answer all of your toothpaste questions.

Diabetes is a common yet serious problem that affects more than just your diet. It can also affect all parts of your mouth. Sometimes, even if the condition itself isn’t doing anything, its medication can adversely affect your teeth and gums as well.

Here’s how diabetes affects your teeth and what you need to do about it.

How Diabetes Affects The Teeth

When a person has diabetes, it means that their body isn’t able to efficiently process the sugar in the body. This leads to high blood sugar levels which can affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and much more.

For the mouth specifically, high blood sugar levels can be quite dangerous as it can lead to various dental problems. The excess sugar or glucose in the body can get mixed in with the saliva in the mouth.

As a result, the sugary saliva encourages the growth of harmful bacteria which causes gum diseases and tooth decay. Moreover, it also contributes to the buildup of plaque on the teeth, which can be further harmful and unsightly as well.

Besides that, what makes diabetes so dangerous for oral health is that it creates a vicious cycle. The high blood sugar can cause serious gum diseases, which in turn can cause poor sugar control in the body. Over time, if not treated properly, it can lead to diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, dry mouth, and much more.

What Diabetics Need To Do

Since diabetics are more at risk of tooth decay, gum diseases, and other dental problems, good dental habits are of the utmost importance. They need to brush their teeth twice a day, floss, and rinse their mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash.

In addition to that, it is also super important to control blood sugar through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Most importantly, they need to schedule regular visits with their dentist and let them know of their condition. If you have diabetes and are suffering from some oral problems, contact and at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry to get your teeth checked right away.

Sometimes we see a patient with a fissured tongue or a tongue that displays single, multiple, shallow, or deep grooves or fissures. Frequently, a prominent fissure is seen in the middle of the tongue. While this anomaly can be somewhat pronounced, a fissured tongue is not medically serious.

How Does A Fissured Tongue Develop?

According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, most tongue fissures develop on the middle third of a person’s tongue and only occur in about 5% of the U.S population. The condition often affects older men, and the severity increases as people age. In some cases, a white coating may develop on the tongue if it is not thoroughly cleaned. Researchers do not know what causes a fissured tongue. However, a fissured tongue and geographic tongue may occur in combination. A geographic tongue is also called benign migratory glossitis, an inflammation that typically appears on the tongue’s sides and top.

Cleaning A Fissured Tongue

It is essential to clean a fissured tongue to reduce problems with bad breath or with infections. When a tongue shows a white coating, it results from a swelling and overgrowth of the tongue’s papillae – fingerlike projections on a tongue’s surface. The white coating results when dead cells, bacteria, and debris become lodged within the sometimes inflamed and enlarged papillae. To ensure that you do not have this problem, you should clean your tongue every day, whether it is fissured or not, either in the morning or evening, when you brush your teeth. We often suggest using baking soda on the tongue and a soft toothbrush to arrest the harmful bacteria in the mouth. Always brush your tongue after you brush your teeth.

If you have a fissured tongue, you still need to make sure you clean it well. While a cracked tongue is not a real cause for concern, you need to keep it clean to prevent infections or halitosis. Also, scheduling regular exams and professional cleanings should be on your to-do list. Give us a call today if you need to schedule a dental check-up and cleaning.

Many people think teeth grinding, or clenching isn’t causing harm because there’s no pain or symptoms. But what they don’t know is that if they do not opt for treatment and preventative care for Bruxism (teeth grinding), it can significantly impact your dental health and the well-being of your entire body.

Here are some of the many ways that Bruxism can damage your health:

Tooth Enamel Erosion

Teeth clenching and grinding can wear off and erode your tooth’s enamel – teeth protecting shield. Once it erodes, your teeth will face an increased risk of decay and higher sensitivity to hot and cold foods/drinks.

Tooth Loss &Fractured Teeth

Teeth grinding and clenching for a long time can lead to tooth fractures and even tooth loss. Constant, rutted stress on teeth can or even force your teeth to become dislodged. It can be excruciating and make simple tasks like eating, speaking, and chewing difficult.

Receded Gums

If you tend to grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, know that you exert a lot of force against your teeth and even your gums, eventually leading to gum recession. Gum recession is not only a painful condition, but it can even lead to the formation of ‘gum pockets’ that harbor bacteria and cause tooth decay or loss.

Short, Uneven Teeth

If you grind or clench your teeth, you will notice that your teeth are uneven and getting short in length. This is particularly detrimental to your bite. Moreover, it can lead to other problems such as headaches, toothache, an awkward smile, etc.

Though teeth grinding can be a damaging condition. Fortunately, it can be prevented and treated with proper care and treatment. The Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry experts can provide you with the best solutions for Bruxism. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us at (803) 310-4707

Gum disease is a dental condition where oral bacteria lead to inflammation. As plaque develops on the teeth and gum line, bacteria emerge and cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.

While gum disease is common, it should be treated immediately as neglect may lead to serious health issues, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Here are 4 common myths about gum disease:

Myth 1: Bleeding Gums Are Not A Big Deal

Red, swollen and bleeding gums are all tell-tale symptoms of gum disease. They can be easily noticed while brushing, flossing, or eating certain food items. It is crucial to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice these signs.

Myth 2: Poor Oral Hygiene Is The Sole Cause Of Gum Disease

Maintaining oral hygiene can decrease the risk of contracting gum disease. However, there are several other reasons your gums may still end up getting infected. Obesity, diabetes, smoking, stress, and some medicines are also risk factors for periodontal disease. Pregnant women may also be susceptible to gum issues due to fluctuations in hormone levels.

Myth 3: Flossing Is Not Important For Preventing Gum Disease

Flossing is often neglected because people do not consider it important for their mental health. The truth is that flossing can substantially affect the condition of your teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth helps eliminate food particles and plaque to a certain extent.

Flossing draws out food and bacteria lodged between your teeth and gums. Not cleaning these areas regularly may cause inflammation on the gum line, which may result in gum disease.

Myth 4: Gum Disease Affects The Mouth Only

Gum disease does not only affect your teeth and gums but can have more serious health consequences if left untreated. Infection and inflammation can enter your bloodstream and travel to your brain, heart, lungs, and other organs. This can result in health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory disease, and neurological disorders.

To maintain healthy gums, brush and floss your teeth regularly and steer clear of harmful habits like smoking. If you experience any signs of redness or inflammation in your gums, schedule a visit at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry by calling us at (803) 310-4707 today.

It is common for kids and adults to lose their teeth during sports. Most athletes have their teeth knocked out in numerous ways, but they know how to preserve them; that’s why they always have a lustrous smile. You might not know this, but your tooth can be completely restored. If it gets chipped, take it to a dentist, and it will be repaired. Moreover, there are other ways to save your knock-out tooth, but you must act fast.

What To Do When Your Tooth Is Knocked Out

If you knock out your tooth as an adult, hold it by the crown, not by its root. Rinse it with cold water for not more than 10 seconds and put it back in its place, but if it doesn’t, don’t fight it. Put in milk or your saliva. It helps the teeth stay in good health until you reach the dentist. If it’s a baby’s tooth, don’t try to put it back in because you might damage the tooth underneath.

What A Dentist Will Do In Case Of A Knocked-Out Tooth

If you have put your tooth back in place – bravo! The dentist will check if it’s in the right place and not in contact with other teeth. If you bring your tooth back in milk or saliva, the dentist can put it back in. However, if you lose your tooth, there is no going back. You can only opt for a false tooth procedure, where a dentist will implant an artificial tooth instead of the missing one.

No matter what time of the day, you should always make haste to the dentist in case of a knocked-out tooth. If you want an expert dentist on your case, you can visit [[[CLIENTEX:DOCNAME1]] by dialing (803) 310-4707.