Preserving our pearly whites typically becomes increasingly important the older we get. If you
’re a senior, you may be more vulnerable to issues like root decay, dry mouth, and tooth loss. For this reason, you’ll want to practice certain preventive measures to protect your oral health. Read on to learn four dental hygiene tips to help you maintain your pearly whites during your golden years!
Salvaggio Dentistry Blog
4 Essential Dental Hygiene Tips For Seniors
August 22, 2022
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What You Should Know About Cold Sores
August 2, 2022
You have probably heard of cold sores, if not experienced them occasionally yourself. A cold sore is a viral infection that appears as a small fluid-filled blister or group of blisters which lasts for a couple of weeks before going away. Once the blister opens, a scab is left that heals and usually doesn’t leave a scar.
Cause of Cold Sores
This virus is called herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), and once a person is infected, the virus remains inside the body for life. This virus is contagious and can be passed from person to person. Typically, people will are infected at an early age with the cold sore virus. Once infected, cold sores may occasionally appear throughout life. Various reasons may cause a cold sore to appear in a person with the HSV-1 virus, including stress, fatigue, fever, hormonal changes, exposure to sunlight or wind and injury to the skin.
Symptoms of Cold Sores
A person may experience tingling or itching in the area a day or two before. Then, a small and painful lump appears on the lip or surrounding area. This lump will turn into a fluid-filled blister. Less commonly, these blisters can form around the nose or even inside the cheeks. There may be one or several blisters. The blisters will open after a week or two, leaving scabs in their place that eventually heal. Reoccurrence tends to happen in the same spot. Outbreak symptoms may be fever, sore gums and throat, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. (more…)
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5 Cosmetic Benefits of Dental Implants
July 8, 2022
If you’re missing teeth, you know just how difficult it can be to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence. Tooth loss can take away from your appearance and therefore your self-esteem. Fortunately, there are a variety of tooth replacement options out there that can help, like dental implants. Continue reading to learn about some of the different cosmetic benefits of dental implants.
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What is Dry Mouth and How to Treat It?
July 7, 2022
What is Dry Mouth and How to Treat It?
Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. A dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands are not functioning properly, leading to less saliva in the mouth. A dry mouth can be temporary or long-term, depending on the cause. While short-term dry mouth symptoms are usually not a cause for concern, long-term dry mouth symptoms can be disruptive to everyday life and may lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser for the teeth and gums. Without adequate saliva, dental issues may occur.
Causes of Dry Mouth
- Ageing (there is a higher risk of dry mouth with age)
- Certain medications (such as for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, antihistamines, decongestants and pain medication)
- Certain autoimmune medical conditions (such as Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, Eaton-Lambert syndrome and HIV)
- Bone marrow transplant patients
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Radiation treatment near the head and neck can permanently or temporarily damage the salivary glands.
- Lifestyle choices (such as smoking, drinking alcohol and recreational drug use)
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Learn How To Manage A Cracked Or Broken Tooth
June 22, 2022
Hopefully, you’re not reading this article because you or your loved one just cracked or broke a tooth after crunching into a piece of leftover Halloween candy. But if that’s the case, you can do a few things before you get to your dentist, because you should see your dentist as soon as reasonably possible.
Failing to address a broken, fractured, or chipped tooth could lead to further damage and infection, resulting in the loss of the tooth.
What Should You Do Before Seeing Your Dentist?
Don’t panic. You’ll be amazed to see how you can mitigate the damage and what your dentist will eventually be able to do to fix your smile.
Rinse your mouth with warm or salt water. If you are in pain, consider taking acetaminophen or the pain relief medication that typically works for you or as prescribed by your doctor.
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Will Keeping a Sleep Diary Help Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
June 4, 2022
Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea—and even worse, many more cases go undiagnosed! However, sleep apnea can do more than cause you to miss out on rest; it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated! That said, if you believe that you’re suffering from sleep apnea, receiving a diagnosis and seeking treatment should be your top priority; and keeping a sleep diary can assist you with this! Continue reading to learn more about how your dentist thinks this practice might be the first step towards getting a good night’s rest.
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3 Reasons Why Summer Is the Best Time for Teeth Whitening
May 29, 2022
For many people, summer marks the end of a long year of work and tests and the beginning of a much-needed vacation. Whether you have the entire season off or just a few weeks to bathe in the sun or take refuge in a cooler climate, you’ll likely want to take photos to document your summer adventures. When you look back on all the fun you had, don’t you want to have a gorgeous, healthy-looking grin? Read on to learn about three reasons why summer is the perfect time to undergo a teeth whitening treatment.
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Why Is Cleaning Your Tongue Important?
May 20, 2022
Bacteria can accumulate on pretty much any surface of your mouth. They prefer to attach themselves to rough surfaces, so the teeth and gum line are particularly prone to plaque accumulation. Did you know that the surface of your tongue is rough, containing thousands of papilla, also known as taste buds, that cause the top surface of your tongue to contain many crevices, a perfect spot for bacteria to hide? If you don’t brush or clean your tongue, you may not even realize how much plaque accumulation it can be prone to. Once you start cleaning your tongue, you may never go back!
Signs and symptoms of plaque accumulation on the tongue
- White/beige or yellow coating on the top surface of the tongue
- Altered or reduced sense of taste
- Bad breath, called halitosis
- Bad taste in the mouth
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Dental Implants – The Best Tooth Replacement Option!
May 15, 2022
A missing tooth in the mouth does not just lead to an uneven smile. While most people readily replace a missing tooth to improve their smile or appearance, there are other important reasons to replace a lost tooth. If a tooth is missing due to injury or if it is naturally missing, it requires replacing. Even though many tooth replacement options exist, dental implants should be your first choice.
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The Top 5 Benefits of a Smile Makeover
April 20, 2022
Are you unhappy with your teeth? Many people wish they had a Hollywood smile they can be proud to show off. Fortunately, you can achieve this with the help of your dentist and their various cosmetic dental treatments. Read on to learn how a smile makeover can benefit you more than simply creating brighter pearly whites!
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