Health Issues Linked To Oral Health

Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

At Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins, we are not just passionate about your oral health, but we care deeply about your overall health as well. Your mouth is considered the gateway to the body. This means that bacteria of all kinds are constantly entering your mouth and, therefore, your body. Bacteria can be on the food you eat, if you bite your nails, and if you breathe in harmful fumes, such as cigarette smoke. One of the best ways you can keep harmful bacteria at bay is to maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine. Unfortunately, the longer harmful bacteria remains in your mouth, it can negatively affect your overall health. We want to share three health issues that can be impacted by the way you care for your oral health.

The Importance Of Caring For Your Oral Health When You Aren’t Feeling Your Best

Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

Now that we are well into the fall season, we know that many of our patients are enjoying activities and outings with their families. It is also the time of year when people start coming down with seasonal illnesses. The past few years have taught us a lot about taking precautions when we aren’t feeling our best, but you might not be aware that there are certain precautions you need to take with your oral health as well. While we hope all of our patients remain healthy during this time, occasional illnesses are always possible. If you should happen to fall ill, you should make some changes to help your oral health.

Are These Habits Harming Your Teeth?

Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

For years, we have been sharing tips and tricks to help you care for your oral health. We have explained that an overabundance of sugar is harmful to your teeth and gums. We also hope you know about the importance of thoroughly brushing your teeth twice daily as well as using dental floss every day. You may be surprised to learn that certain things you may do without realizing it are causing harm to your oral health and may eventually lead to discomfort or a dental emergency. Continue reading to see if you need to change one of these habits:

Medications And Oral Health

Dental Health, Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

At Smiles By Holsinger & Higgins, we not only care about our patients’ oral health but their overall health as well. You may be surprised to learn that your overall health can impact your oral health and the way we need to treat your mouth during your appointments. This is one of the reasons we ask about any changes to your medical history during each visit. Different medical conditions and medications can change the way we have to treat your mouth and may change what we are looking for during your examination. In addition, certain medications can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums.

Dental Crowns Demystified

Patient Education, Restorative Dentistry, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

Have we recommended a dental crown treatment and you have postponed scheduling it due to nerves? Even if we haven’t recommended a dental crown treatment at this time, there is a chance that you or a loved one might need the treatment in the future. An unfamiliar treatment makes some of our patients feel uneasy, so we want to take a few moments and explain more about this common treatment that can be used to restore and improve your oral health. Continue reading to learn more.

Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

Dental Health, Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

Do you notice your gums appear to be bleeding after you brush and floss your teeth? It is more common than you probably realize. Most people likely experience this from time to time. Most of the time, it is nothing to be concerned about. It can happen if something becomes stuck between your teeth and makes the area sore, for example if a kernel becomes lodged after eating popcorn. The problem arises when the gums continue to bleed daily, indicating there is an underlying issue that needs to be corrected. Some possible causes of bleeding gums can include:

The Facts About Tooth Sensitivity

Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

We are so excited the summer season is a few short weeks away! After a long winter, we have been enjoying the spring weather and are looking forward to the hot summer days full of fun and relaxation. On a hot summer day, there is nothing quite like eating some ice cream to cool off. Would you love to enjoy ice cream but find yourself cringing due to discomfort in your teeth? You are most likely suffering from tooth sensitivity. While it is common to experience tooth sensitivity on occasion, repeated occurrences are a warning that there may be a problem with your oral health. Continue reading to learn what your mouth may be trying to tell you.

Dental Trends To Avoid

Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

With the popularity of social media, it seems that trends are continuously popping up, and people are eager to try them all. Beauty, cooking and home decor trends are always fun to try because, for the most part, if it doesn’t work out, there is no harm caused. The problem with viral trends is when they can negatively impact a person’s health. There have been some trends over the years that offer a promise to improve the appearance of teeth or overall wellness but can cause lasting damage. If you are unhappy with the state of your oral health, we know there can be some intrigue in trying one of the trends you may see. While it might be tempting to give these ideas a try, we are here to tell you that pretty much every trend you see on social media related to dental health is not a good idea. Here are some dental trends to avoid:

Are You Sure You’re Brushing Your Teeth The Right Way?

Dental Health, Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

Are you due for a visit to our office? We know that life is busy and it can be easy for time to get away from you. As we get older, it seems like time moves faster than ever. We encourage our patients to visit us at least twice per year for a routine hygiene examination and cleaning. During these visits, we inspect the state of your oral health and make treatment recommendations as needed. One of the best ways to avoid additional treatments is with your oral hygiene routine. We only see our patients for a short amount of time each year, so the bulk of our patients’ oral care lands on their shoulders. Are you using proper oral care routines to ensure your oral health is where it should be? Read on to see.

What Are the Culprits of Bad Breath?

Dental Health, Patient Education, Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins

Are you self-conscious about the smell of your breath? We all experience bad breath from time to time, especially after eating certain foods such as garlic. However, after a thorough brushing and the use of dental floss, the problem is usually remedied. If you find that you are experiencing frequent bad breath, your mouth could be warning you that you may have an issue with your oral health.