No Direct Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Attacks
After a literature review of over 500 studies and journal articles, a committee appointed by the American Heart Association has concluded that there is no direct link between gum disease and heart attacks. Though several studies have linked gum problems with strokes and heart attacks, The AHA committee states that an extensive review of the studies do not support this assertion.
Unproven Facts Linked to Gum Disease
AHA physicians and infectious disease researchers find that dental treatment will not prevent heart attacks or strokes. A professor of oral medicine says that health care professionals are sending out the wrong message to their patients. For a number of years, dental care professionals have informed their patients that strokes and heart attacks are linked to gum disease. These distorted facts create an alarm for patients and shift prevention measures away for these particular diseases.
Common Risk Factors
Gum disease and heart disease share common risks, including tobacco smoking, diabetes and age. These common factors provide an explanation of why gum disease and heart disease may manifest in many Americans. However, studies have failed to show a direct correlation between heart attacks and gum disease. Individuals who ignore the risk factors of smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes may also choose to ignore their oral hygiene and care, contributing to gum disease. In fact, one study asserted that invasive dental treatments for gum disease may increase risk factors of stroke and heart attack.
Future Studies of Gum Disease
The aforementioned professor also indicated that a long-term study would need to be conducted to determine whether dental disease is at all correlated with stroke and heart disease. He posits that it is important for dental patients to consider what is known by the Continue reading
7 Unique Ways to Get your Kids to Brush Their Teeth
Whenever we talk about maintaining and promoting good health, eventually the conversation turns to establishing and keeping good habits, and this is probably never more critical than with brushing our teeth.
Parents need to work hard and consistently with their children to establish a good teeth brushing routine and habits. But, it’s not always easy is it? Don’t worry moms and dads, help is on the way. I’m going to give you 7 unique ways to get your kids to brush their teeth.
1. Sing Silly Songs
It’s extremely important to train your children not to rush their teeth brushing routine. Sometimes two minutes can seem like an eternity. Come up with a fun song to sing to your children as you’re supervising their brushing. You might build it around their favorite cartoon characters or animals. Or you might include the names of different types of teeth to help make sure they aren’t missing any spots.
2. Set a Fun Example
When you brush your teeth, dramatize the experience a little. Make your youngsters know that you’re having fun. Be enthusiastic about brushing. Kids love to emulate their parents; give them good habits to emulate. Start out when they’re really young—this technique doesn’t work so well with teenagers. Sorry.
3. Give your Kids Some Control
Let your children select their own toothbrushes and toothpastes. They’re likely to find some cartoon characters they know and love. Also, let your children find a place of honor to store their new toothbrushes. Provide them with a clean cup and show them how to properly rinse their toothbrushes before storage. Make the proper storing of their toothbrushes a big deal, over which they have Continue reading
Important Health Reasons to Maintain Good Gums
Maintaining healthy gums is good for your teeth but gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis can affect other areas of your health too. Read on to discover the five reasons to maintain good gums and learn how to maintain a daily cleaning routine that will help prevent gum disease.
Important Health Reasons For Good Gums
1. Some studies have shown that gum disease is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease, so maintaining healthy gums could 
help prevent these conditions.
2. People with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontitis so if you have diabetes or are at risk from developing it you should pay even more attention to how you look after your teeth.
3. Gum disease is very painful and once it has set in it’s very difficult to reverse so if you don’t want to end up in lots of pain or even lose your teeth then maintain a good cleaning routine.
4. Pregnant women may be more susceptible to gingivitis and periodontitis and some experts believe that women who suffer from
gum 
disease during pregnancy are more likely to have babies born early or babies that have a low birth weight.
5. Some medications can increase the risk of gum disease so if you are taking medication find out from your doctor Continue reading
6 Natural Tips for Teeth Whitening
As I approached my fortieth birthday my husband pointed out a horrible fact. My smile was looking dull. Years of coffee and tea, as well as several years spent smoking in the 1990s, were catching up to my teeth. A close look in the mirror confirmed that my once dazzling choppers looked downright dingy, so I began researching teeth whitening procedures.
Several hours of online research led me to some disturbing facts. Cosmetic bleaching treatments, purchased over the counter or applied in a dentist’s office, often contain harsh chemicals that can seep into the gums and tongue causing oral damage. At the advice of a friend I instead began looking into natural teeth whitening treatments that I could do on my own. Some of the things I found were obvious and seemed like common sense. However, I was surprised at some of the other things in the list – like avoid drinking water with fluoride.
Tips on Undergoing your Own Natural Teeth Whitening Treatments
provided he can remember my birthday and our anniversary without prompting!)