Aging & Your Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about aging and your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

The Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

Lots of people ask their dental professional if there’s a difference between plaque and tartar-and it’s a great question. Both plaque and tartar buildup are common dental problems. Significant plaque buildup can result in tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar is calcified plaque. Arming yourself with the facts can help you be smarter about how you care for your teeth. 

The Facts About Plaque
Plaque is sticky, colorless film containing bacteria that builds up naturally on tooth surfaces and especially along the gum line within four to 12 hours after brushing. Sugars in food and drinks can combine with plaque bacteria to release acids. These acids attack tooth enamel and break it down, which can then create cavities. Plaque bacteria can also contribute to gum disease, like gingivitis. Regular brushing and flossing are your most effective tools in the fight against plaque. If it’s not removed daily, plaque eventually accumulates and hardens into tartar.  

To read the entire article visit OralB.com.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

Parts of the Tooth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about what makes up the tooth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#5: Watch out for starchy foods 
These are sneaky because they often get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in chips and cakes, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up. 

#6: You can still have fun 
So, what can you eat? Lots of stuff! Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish and vary your diet. Eat whole grains and choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods. The holidays are a great time of year to start thinking about healthier habits. If you do snack, make it a nutritious choice-such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables-for your overall health and the health of your teeth.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#3: Limit your alcohol intake 
’Tis the season for egg nog, Brandy Alexanders and glog! If you choose to imbibe, try to drink water alongside your drinks. And remember: Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth. 

#4: Take it easy on the hard candies 
Some candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!) 


To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

Lifestyle & Your Oral Health

Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

Dry Mouth (xerostomin)

Dry mouth, or xerostomin is the result of decreased saliva production, which affects up to 60% of older adults. Saliva lubricates the mouth helping to prevent decay and protect tooth enamel. But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to manage this condition.

Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of reasons, including medications you may be taking, radiation or cancer treatments, smoking, immune deficiency, systemic diseases (such as Diabetes, Parkinsonís, Sjogren syndrome) or salivary gland aplasia.

To read the entire article , please visit plus.HealthyTeeth.org

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-467-4999
MarengiDental.com

The Importance of a Good Diet

In a perfect world, there would be no cavities - but unfortunately that would mean there would have to be no sugar, and let’s be honest, that’s never going to happen.

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet isn’t just important to your overall health, its important to your oral health as well. Frequent or prolonged intake of sugary foods enables bacteria to maintain an acidic environment on the surface of your teeth. Soft and sticky foods cling to the biting surfaces of the teeth and stay there until itís brushed off. Saliva will spread the sugar between the teeth, and to the front and back.

So how do cavities occur and that ugly dental decay?
Every time you eat, plaque and bacteria in your mouth mix with the sugar and starch from the food you ingest, creating an acidic environment in your mouth. This acid softens the enamel of your teeth, and without proper oral hygiene, can expose your teeth to troublesome cavities.

How to reduce the risk of decay:

• Brush daily with fluoridated toothpaste.
• Follow your country’s food guide necessary for a healthy diet.
• When eating starchy foods such as bread, cereal and pasta, minimize the time teeth are exposed by eating them with meals rather than snacking on them throughout the day.
• Substitute sugary snacks with sugar-free gum and mints. Xylitol found in some chewing gums has been found to reduce risk of cavities. This can help reduce cavities and increase saliva flow.
• Drink high-sugar beverages through a straw, then rinse mouth with water and brush within 30 minutes. But be careful, brushing to quickly following a meal can damage your teeth’s enamel.
• Rinsing with water after eating can help cleanse the teeth before brushing.

To read the entire article please visit Plus.HealthyTeeth.org

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Oral Health & Other Medications

Knowledge is power. Your dentist will tell you, the more information they know about your overall health and current medications as possible, the easier to better understand your oral health needs. Because we know good overall health requires great oral health, and the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, it should come as little surprise that many serious health issues are linked to problems that first started in the mouth. And the same goes with any medications you may be taking.

Before your dentists starts their examination or any other procedure, make sure to disclose any and all mediations you may currently be taking. Some procedures or prescribed medications can have adverse effects when taken in combination. In addition, alert your dentist to any allergies, so prescribed medication can be as effective as possible. The same goes for pregnancy, or other health care treatments you may currently be experiencing, which may cause changes to your body. This can help avoid tooth loss, gum disease or other oral health issues as side effects of treatment you may currently be experiencing.

It’s always a good idea not only discuss these things with a physician, but also a dentist as well to ensure your oral health is monitored as well.

To read the entire article please visit Plus.HealthyTeeth.org

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Ten Human Tongue Facts for Well-Rounded Oral Care

Think back to the days when your tongue served two main functions: licking soft-serve ice cream cones and taunting a sibling when you stuck it out in his direction. But the tongue actually goes beyond melting desserts and young attitude. Here are ten human tongue facts, including some of its functions.

The Average Tongue Is Four Inches Long
The tongue consists of two parts: anterior and posterior. The anterior tongue is mostly visible and about two thirds of the tongue's total length. The posterior tongue sits near the back of the throat and measures the other one third in length.

To read the entire article by Steve Auger, please visit Colgate.com

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

6 Habits That Harm Your Teeth (And How to Break Them): Using Your Teeth As Tools

The habit: Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t.

The solution: Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth will thank you.

To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Why X-Rays?

Learn what the American Dental Association's answer is to the question: "Why X-Ray?".

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Sensitive Teeth

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about sensitive teeth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

Halloween is just around the corner, and although candy consumption is almost unavoidable this time of year, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) wants parents and children to know that there are both good and bad candy options, both of which may find their way into children's trick-or-treat bags this fall. 
  
"Of course, dentists do not advocate that children eat large amounts of sugary treats, but it is that time of year, so we want to clarify for parents which treats are better for their kids' teeth and which ones may increase the risk of developing cavities," says AGD spokesperson Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD. 

To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Dental Microscope

High-Level Magnification and Illumination

In any medical exam, early detection and proper diagnosis are very important for successful treatment. We use surgical microscopes that give very direct, focused LED lighting. This allows us to identify problems at their earliest stages and to treat them for the best results.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Aging & Your Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about aging and your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Comfortable Dental Care

Imagine No Needles or Drills in Dental Care

Let us introduce to you perhaps the most amazing advancement in dentistry. Air abrasion is a miraculous alternative to drilling and the need for shots. This device streams tiny particulate matter and air at the site of the decay. All the decay is misted away so gently, you probably won't even need anesthesia! What could possibly be easier to repair a tooth?

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Quick Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.

Limit Soda, Coffee and Alcohol
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Drink Tap Water When Possible
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.

Monitor Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
Despite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.

Increase Your Calcium Intake
After age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and D
These vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.

Put Out the Cigarette
Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Dental X-rays

Digital Technology Means Less Radiation

With digital X-rays, there is no waiting time for the image of the interior of your mouth to develop. After placing a sensor in your mouth, the image is available immediately on our computer screen. With panoramic digital imaging, we can view your upper and lower jaws in one shot. There are no chemicals used in the process that might pollute, and there is 75% less radiation with this technological advancement.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com

Dental Intra-Oral Camera

Working Together with the Intra-Oral Camera

We mean what we say about working together with every patient. With this high-tech camera, a very accurate picture of the interior of your mouth is available to analyze what work needs to be done to what teeth. It lets you see for yourself and participate fully in the decisions that need to be made. You will simply love how this works.

Marengi Dental  
15 Concord Road 
Sudbury, MA 01776
 (978) 424-4038 
MarengiDental.com