As a child, you may have feared losing your teeth when you aged, and having to wear dentures like your grandparents. That’s because people believed that tooth loss was part of aging. This is a common misconception. Tooth loss is actually the result of periodontal disease. Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and… Read more »
Category: Gum Disease
Could Wine Be Fine For Your Teeth?
Research has shown that wine is good for your oral health. Research has shown that wine can be bad for your teeth. Research has shown… Do you often wonder which is true? Or can wine be both good and bad for your teeth? Read on as your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord clarifies… Read more »
Smoking And Dental Health
In 2012, over 42 million adults smoked in the US alone. The US spends nearly $133 billion in medical costs for adult smokers. Smoking causes a host of ailments including bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction, diabetes, emphysema, stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Smoking affects oral health, too. People who smoke or “chew” smokeless tobacco, commonly known… Read more »
Why Gingivitis Lingers in the Body
Did you know that gingivitis will prevent the body’s immune system from fighting against it? This unfortunate effect of gingivitis occurs because the disease triggers the body to produce IL-10, an anti-inflammatory molecule. Since gingivitis inflames the gums, it would seem that an anti-inflammatory molecule would be a good thing to produce. However, these molecules… Read more »
Ankeny Dentist Answers Your Gum Disease FAQs
When thinking about oral care, the gums sometimes get overlooked. We have toothbrushes, dental floss, and we attend dentists (Dent means tooth in Latin). But just as important as our teeth are our gums, and the major threat to our gums is gum disease. Knowing the consequences of unhealthy gums is very important to a… Read more »
Ankeny Dentist Discusses the Oral-Heart Health Connection
Did you know that recent research is connecting your oral health with your heart health? February is National Heart Month, so we’re highlighting this connection between the heart and the mouth. If you want to improve your heart health or if you want to ward off heart disease, keeping your teeth and gums healthy could… Read more »
Stop Bleeding Gums with Your Ankeny Dentist
For most people, maintaining good oral health means taking care of teeth. Servicing your gums is just as important as keeping your teeth clean. When your gums bleed, it could be a sign of gum disease, though bleeding gums may not always signal unhealthy oral habits. Pregnant women may experience swollen, bleeding gums, as can… Read more »