Save your Child from the Most Common Chronic Childhood Disease
Parents try their hardest to keep their kids from experiencing harm and pain. It can be heartbreaking to see your child or loved one suffer from tooth aches and tooth decay. No matter the age, babies, kids, teens, adults, and elders can unfortunately develop dental cavities. It is commonly known that tooth decay develops as bacteria feed off of the left-over food particles on our teeth by producing acids that wear down tooth enamel. But, you may be wondering, “how is tooth decay possible for babies who aren’t even consuming solid foods?” You may have heard of the term, baby bottle tooth decay, which is a leading factor for a…
Your Pet’s Smile Matters, Too!
Pets, otherwise known as the cute protectors and furry additions to the family, face some of the same dental problems that we do as humans. In fact, oral disease is the most common major health problem of cats and dogs. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 70% of cats and 80% of dogs exhibit signs of oral disease by the age of 3. Although tooth decay remains the top oral problem that humans experience, pets primarily develop periodontal disease and fractures of teeth. The same rules of dental disease that apply to us also apply to our furry companions. It may be easy to forget that your pet’s teeth…
The Fight Against the Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis is a major public health emergency that has sadly resulted in the loss of many lives. According to the (NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse, the deaths from opioid use increased from 18,515 in 2007 to 47,600 deaths in 2017. It has been found that for every day that passes, about 130 people in America die from an opioid overdose. Opioids, including Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine, Codeine, and Oxycodone, to name a few, are categoriezed as narcotics, and can be an effective pain management option prescribed by medical professionals after a procedure like wisdom teeth extractions. However, abuse of opioids has become a dangerous issue, with almost 29% of patients…
Have Teeth that are Too Big or Too Small?
Although not frequently common, you may know someone or yourself experience having a tooth or teeth that are smaller or larger than normal in size. When adult permanent teeth appear to be smaller, or similar to the size of baby teeth, this condition is known as Microdontia. Microdontia commonly affects the upper lateral incisors, and are often referred to as peg laterals. On the other hand, if the teeth are larger than usual, this is known as Macrodontia. When every tooth is affected by Macrodontia, this is typically due to the rare condition pituitary gigantism, which is seen in children and affects other parts of the body such as the feet…
Bacteria’s Pathway from Mouth to Brain
It’s very reasonable to think that gum disease will only impact your gums, and therefore only cause issues within your mouth. But, surprisingly, the bacteria associated with chronic gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), has been found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Love your Heart: American Heart Month
The heart is an amazing muscle, beating up to about 100,000 times a day and keeping us alive to spread love to those we encounter! That’s why it’s extremely important to keep your heart healthy and to be informed about heart disease. Each February, awareness about heart health is spread nationally in celebration of American Heart Month. What many may not know is that heart disease isn’t just a disease that affects older adults. It can happen at any age, and there are many factors that can put you at risk. Here’s what you need to know:
What’s the Scoop on Floss & Toxicity?
Did you hear the news? It seems like floss was all the talk when news broke out about Oral-B Glide floss potentially containing toxic chemicals. A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology claimed that flossing was not safe due to the Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in certain floss brands. So what’s PFAS? These chemicals have been linked to some health problems, but are used in a variety of products sold in the market, ranging from cooking appliances, electronics, clothing, and food wrappers for the purpose of adding water resistance and non-stick properties. But, don’t be so quick to quit flossing! Here’s why:
Are Your Gums Affected by your Blood Sugar Levels?
Diabetes, which impacts about 30 million people in the United States, surprisingly doesn’t just affect your blood sugar. Research has consistently showed that gum disease, including both gingivitis and periodontitis, is linked with diabetes. The relationship between gum disease and diabetes works both ways: individuals with diabetes have a higher chance of developing gum disease, and people with severe gum disease are more prone to have issues controlling their blood glucose levels. Early stages of gum problems begin as gingivitis, also described as inflammation of the gums. As bacteria invade the gum pockets and inflammation remains, gum recession and bone loss begin to occur in the more severe stages of…
Save the Date/Save a Life! WDG Blood Drive 2019
Your caring team at WDG is excited and looking forward to co-hosting a community blood donation drive with the American Red Cross and the Wellesley Community Center again this year! The WDG Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 from 12:30pm-5:30pm. The blood drive will be located at the Wellesley Community Center (219 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482). Why should you join us in donating blood? Sadly, every 2 seconds that passes by someone in the United States is in need of blood, which can save their life, according to the American Red Cross. On the bright side, just a single donation can save up to 3 individual’s lives. At our upcoming blood…
Experiencing Toothaches from Winter Weather?
As you’re walking outside this winter, do you ever feel a cringing pain in your teeth from the cold air? Not only can the cold cause dry skin, it can also cause some tooth sensitivity, especially if you already struggle with sensitive teeth. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, approximately 40 million Americans have sensitive teeth. This causes many people to avoid foods that are either very cold or very hot, such as ice-cream or soup. So, why does tooth sensitivity occur?
