Diet Soda and Dental Health: What You Need to Know
In today’s calorie-obsessed culture, it can be hard to find the truth among all of the health-conscious noise. Often times, Copperas Cove residents are misinformed and misled about the health benefits of trends like as cleanses, sugar alternatives, diets, organic vs. nonorganic, and a myriad of other common topics. Today Dr. Grantham would like to clear up any misconceptions about dental health and diet soda. If you have any questions please call us at Cove Family Dental.
Are Diet Sodas Healthy?
The short answer is no. Originally conceived as low-calorie alternatives to one of America’s first commercial legacies, diet sodas have become extremely popular amidst our country’s battle to lose weight. There’s only one little problem – diet sodas are only marginally better than regular soda. Compared to water, diet soda has zero nutritional value and contains many ingredients that are harmful outside of moderation. (more…)
How to Clean Teeth Like a Dentist
Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your Copperas Cove smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Dr. Grantham and the expert hygienists at Cove Family Dental. If you have any questions or would like to test your skills in person, feel free to give us a call!
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss, and Mouthwash
Before we get to talking technique, we need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss. Pick whatever floss is most comfortable for you and any toothpaste that you like, provided it has fluoride. Mouthwash is not required, but some Copperas Cove folks really like the extra oral health boost you get from a good swish and gargle.
How do you pick a good toothbrush? Here are the basics:
- Always go with soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles can damage enamel.
- Choose a brush that fits your mouth. The head of the brush should be small enough to reach all the way behind your back teeth and fit comfortably in your mouth and hand.
- Electric toothbrushes are fine, but you can achieve the same results with a regular toothbrush if you know how to brush like a pro.
- Remember to get a new toothbrush every 3-4 months, every time you get over a cold, or whenever the bristles start to look mangled
Floss Like a Boss
Dr. Grantham reminds us to floss before brushing. That way you can ensure that the particles and bacteria unearthed during flossing will be removed during the expert brushing session that follows. Make sure to floss at least once a day. (more…)
HPV and Oral Cancer: What you need to know
We love to talk about the fun and interesting sides of oral health, but today, there is something much more serious on our minds. We care about the health of everyone in Copperas Cove, and as dental care professionals, we feel it is our duty to educate you on how to be as safe and healthy as you can be. While you have probably heard of the human papilloma virus and oral cancer, most people don’t know that they are linked. Here is some information from Dr. Grantham about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to give Cove Family Dental a call.
What is HPV?
Human papilloma virus refers to a family of nearly 200 strains that infect the epithelial cells of skin and mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis (through the urethral opening), and the anus. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact (oral and genital) and it is one of the most common viruses in the country. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 Americans will have an HPV infection at some point. However, 99% of HPV infections are cleared up by your immune system without any symptoms or any indication that you were ever infected. (more…)
Chocolate is Good for Oral Health – True or False?
Most of us were taught when we were kids that sweets like chocolate will rot your teeth. While this may remain true for some types of our favorite sweet snack, that doesn’t mean we have to take it off the menu altogether. In fact, recent studies have found that dark chocolate, containing high percentages of cocoa, may actually be beneficial to your dental health. Dr. Grantham at Cove Family Dental wants Copperas Cove residents to know the facts so they can satisfy their sweet-tooth safely.
How does it work?
Dark chocolate is known to contain high levels of antioxidants, which work with our bodies to fight bacteria and disease. Dark chocolate can contain up to four times the amount of antioxidants found in green tea! High levels of antioxidants found in saliva have been proven to help fight periodontal, or gum disease, and slow tooth decay. (more…)
Updating your Health History May Help Save Your Teeth
Although you might think of your general health and your dental health as two separate categories, they are much more connected than the average Copperas Cove resident would suspect. Just like the information you provide to your doctor helps him/her keep your health in good shape, Dr. Grantham depends on your input for optimum dental health. We at Cove Family Dental like to go above and beyond for our Copperas Cove patients, but we need your help to make sure you get the quality dental care you deserve. Here are a few reasons why:
The average Copperas Cove resident might not think to mention to their dentist what’s going on with their physical health, but you’d be surprised how much that information can make a difference in your oral care. Dr. Grantham needs to be able to see the whole picture so that we can keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.
Diabetes and Dental Health
750,000 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. However, few diabetes sufferers know the full extent of the disorder’s effect on your teeth. If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to develop: (more…)
To Be or Not To Be Sugar-Free: The Facts About Common Sweeteners
Originally created for people that can’t consume regular sugars, alternative and artificial sweeteners have become extremely popular in Copperas Cove in all kinds of different products. From chewing gum to diet soda, Dr. Grantham wants you to know which of these options are best for your dental and general health, so here are the facts about a few of the most common sweeteners. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Cove Family Dental.
The Big Five Sugar Substitutes
The benefits of natural and artificial sugar-free sweeteners were first recognized as a safe option for diabetics, but have since exploded in popularity because food, beverage, candy, and snack companies have discovered that it is easier to sell fewer calories. In addition, Copperas Cove residents with a sweet tooth know that artificial sweeteners are notorious for their ability to ruin your portion control. All of the following substances are considered sugar-free and inhibit tooth decay because bacteria cannot ferment them into enamel-destroying acids. Despite ongoing controversy about health concerns of sugar substitutes, the FDA considers all of the following substances to be safe for regular consumption. (more…)
The Best Way to Replace Missing Teeth
We all remember losing our teeth as children and being delighted to find money from the tooth fairy under our pillow, but it’s just not as fun as an adult. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of 25 permanent teeth remaining, which is three shy of a full set (minus wisdom teeth). Dr. Grantham wants everyone in Copperas Cove to know that replacing a missing tooth is important to your dental health. Read on for more information and please give Cove Family Dental a call with any questions or concerns.
Missing Teeth and Dental Health
When people lose teeth in movies it’s usually from something high-impact and exciting, like getting kicked in the face. However, the leading cause of tooth loss is actually gum disease. If you are a Copperas Cove adult who has lost a tooth in the back of your mouth, you might be inclined to ignore it if it doesn’t affect your smile. Unfortunately, missing teeth are a big problem beyond cosmetic concern. Tooth loss can affect your ability to eat and speak properly, the alignment of your teeth, the health of your surrounding teeth, and cause bone loss. (more…)
Fluoride: Good or Bad?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fluoridation of drinking water is ranked among the ten greatest public health achievements of 20th century America. However, a quick search of the internet tells us that fluoride is actually toxic if ingested in large enough quantities. So which is it? Do the health benefits outweigh the negatives of fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water? We at Cove Family Dental know that Copperas Cove folks care a great deal about their health, so we’ve put this article together to examine the facts and help you come to your own decision. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to give us a call! (more…)
A Guide to Cavity Prevention
Imagine this- you have come to see Dr. Grantham for a cleaning and routine check-up. The cleaning goes well, but then Dr. Grantham tells you that you have a cavity. You’ve been dreading the possibility of this news and now you fear that something must be wrong, since you have been brushing and flossing regularly.
We at Cove Family Dental see this happen every day and we want to put your mind at ease. Cavities are very common and usually a simple fix for Dr. Grantham. Use this guide to learn about what cavities are and how you can prevent them.
Cavities: The Basics
Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which is a byproduct of too much plaque. (more…)
Are You Singing the Toothache Blues?
Are you or a loved one suffering from the toothache blues? Don’t wait around in pain for the problem to resolve itself. Although, at Cove Family Dental, we do enjoy spending quality time with our patients, we don’t want any Copperas Cove residents to have to undergo dental procedures that could have been avoided. A toothache can be a sign of a much more serious problem that should be addressed immediately, but there are a few things you can do at home, in the meantime, to get temporary relief from toothache pain. (more…)