Comfort Family Dental - July 2022

Comfort Family Dental - July 2022

2036 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

JULY 2022

ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE WITH GREAT ORAL HEALTH STRONG TEETH MEAN MORE GRACEFUL AGING

Happy Fourth of July, friends. It’s a great time of year to celebrate our independence as Americans, but as we age, our health can be a big factor in our ability to maintain an independent lifestyle. Thankfully, proper oral hygiene can do a lot more than freshen your breath and keep up your teeth’s appearance. The state of your oral health may have a much bigger impact on aging than you think.

the incident occurred. Currently, it’s well-known that gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. This may be because poor dental health increases the risk of bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which affects your heart valves — and makes it particularly important to have good oral health if you have artificial heart valves.

In terms of maintaining good oral health, older adults may have to work a little harder at it than in their earlier years. For example, many medications commonly used by older adults may cause dry mouth. With less saliva in your mouth, you’re much more prone to tooth decay as well as impaired swallowing, speech, and taste. However, you can combat these effects with routine preventive dental visits and daily oral hygiene practices.

“Historically, tooth loss, gum disease, and other dental problems have always

Experts (and readers of our previous newsletters) know a healthy mouth is crucial for good systemic health, nutrition, and social and psychological well- being. That’s why your oral health can make such a strong impact on aging. Historically, tooth loss, gum disease, and other dental problems have always been considered inevitable consequences of aging, but almost all of these outcomes can be prevented. In fact, it’s crucial those dental problems are prevented. Older adults with poor oral health are more likely to experience aspiration pneumonia, poorly controlled diabetes, endocarditis, and inadequate nutrition, along with many other dangerous health problems that can limit day-to-day function.

been considered inevitable consequences of aging, but almost all of these outcomes can be prevented.”

You can also help maintain good oral health with great nutrition! As you know, a major function of the mouth is the intake and initial

digestion of food. That links your oral health to your nutrition. Unfortunately, older adults with poor oral health are often unable to consume a normal diet — and a nutrition-deficient diet can affect your body’s ability to keep your gum tissues and teeth healthy. In other words, poor oral health can lead to a terrible cycle of poor nutrition and worsening oral health. If you want your body and mind to feel active and happy as you age, your oral health will be an important step toward maintaining your overall health and lifelong independence. No matter what age you are, don’t give up on your teeth. Your mouth can help keep you healthy for years to come!

A major example of this is heart disease. Many Americans worry about their heart health and risk of stroke while aging. After a heart attack or cardiac event, it can be difficult to return to your lifestyle before

– Dr. Corie Rowe

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Everything Is Connected How Your Oral and Mental Health Link Together

Our bodies are made up of many systems working together to keep us functional and healthy. It’s so complex that even scientists don’t understand how all of it works. But we do know that our health is a whole-body experience, and ignoring one aspect of our wellness will often lead to other problems down the line. Oral health is no exception. For example, poor dental health can contribute to cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can lead to gum disease. Still, most people don’t know that their oral and mental health are linked. Researchers have found that people who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to develop oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, experts have identified several reasons for the apparent connection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people across the globe are affected by depression. That’s about 5% of the adult population. Depression is more than just sadness, and it impacts people’s ability to think clearly and engage in regular activities. Oral care routines often fall by the wayside as a result, along with dental visits. This neglect of regular mouth maintenance can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Meanwhile, anxiety can make social interactions terrifying, and sufferers may have difficulty scheduling and attending dental appointments. Additionally, many people have a phobia of dentists that causes them to postpone care. Due to this anxiety or fear, oral health issues can go untreated and significantly worsen.

There are still more connections. People with eating disorders may experience dental erosion or low calcium levels that affect their teeth. Pain is a risk factor for depression, so existing oral pain can spark or worsen mental health problems. And while more research is needed, a 2019 study found a possible genetic link between depression and oral health conditions. If you’re struggling, you need to protect your mental and physical health. Talk to your doctor about what you’ve been experiencing, and be open to their recommendations. Treating your mind well will lead to better health and perhaps a happier and longer life. In addition to this, don’t forget to include your dentist in your plans for full-body health. They’re not trained mental health professionals, but they can provide helpful strategies to help you maintain your dental health while seeking treatment for your mental health as well. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medication you’re taking. Side effects from antidepressants can include dry mouth or teeth grinding, and your dentist can help you minimize the damage. Whatever you’re going through, it’s crucial to keep your entire health team engaged. Physicians, dentists, and therapists all have specialized roles, but outcomes are better when each specialty has the complete picture and can work together. Keep the lines of communication open — and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

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GET CAFFEINATED IN A ‘HEALTHY’ WAY

KEEP IT SIMPLE

From pain killers to carbonated drinks, you can find caffeine everywhere on the American market. However, high caffeine consumption can pose risks. The good news is that in moderation, caffeine may contain useful health benefits, but if you want to actually benefit from caffeine, consider these healthier options. But what is caffeine, exactly? Caffeine is a natural stimulant — in other words, it stimulates the brain and central nervous systems, which prevents weariness and helps you stay alert. Over 80% of the world’s population consumes a caffeinated product every day, including tea, coffee, soda, and energy drinks. In North America alone, this number rises to 90%. Research shows that caffeine may possibly elevate your brain function and metabolism, and during exercise, it may even increase your body’s use of fat as fuel — but that doesn’t

necessarily mean chugging an energy drink is ideal. Why? Its health benefits come mainly through tea or coffee. Walk into any grocery store, and you’ll notice that many highly caffeinated drinks are also high in sugar and additives. Sugar is

habit forming. After a period of not drinking coffee, you might be familiar with the “caffeine withdrawal” and its side effects: anxiety, tremors, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, and even trouble sleeping. Thankfully, these effects are temporary. Studies show that the people who benefit the most from caffeine are often those who drink anywhere from 1–4 cups of tea or coffee a day. You can also find zero-sugar seltzer waters with low doses of caffeine

extremely harmful to your long-term health — and no matter what benefits you read about caffeine, the harmful effects of sugar can overwhelm them by heightening your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and much more. The experts agree: Tossing a sugar cube or two into your cup of coffee isn’t the same as drinking a sugary Red Bull. Additionally, too much caffeine can cause some problems. In some individuals, caffeine can promote headaches, migraines, and high blood pressure. Caffeine is also a psychoactive substance, which means it’s

if you need a small kick. Keep it simple, and you’ll avoid excess sugar and reap the benefits of caffeine more fully. Take a Break

“WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO. EXCELLENCE, THEN,

IS NOT AN ACT, BUT A HABIT.” –WILL DURANT

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2036 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Strong Teeth Lead to Graceful Aging

2

Your Mental Health Can Affect Your Mouth

3

The Healthiest Way to Get Caffeinated

Take a Break

4

What Exactly Is the Rosetta Stone?

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE REAL ROSETTA STONE NOT JUST A LANGUAGE TOOL

by the common people. Experts estimate the stone’s creation was over 2,000 years ago.

and it was ultimately deciphered by French linguist Jean-Francois Champollion.

The slab was discovered in July 1799 by a group of French army engineers who were operating under Napoleon Bonaparte’s orders near the Egyptian town of Rosetta. The British Army would go on to defeat France in Egypt during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1801. Under the terms of the Treaty of Alexandria, the British claimed the Rosetta Stone, along with other Egyptian artifacts found by the French. The British relocated the stone to the British Museum in London, where it was stored in a temporary structure until they could strengthen the floors of the museum to support its incredible weight. Various scientists studied the artifact with no success,

Champollion discovered that hieroglyphics were a combination of phonetic and ideographic signs. Earlier scientists had falsely inferred that hieroglyphics were simply symbolic picture writing and nothing more. For his discovery, Champollion was named the founding father of Egyptology. If you’re interested in viewing the Rosetta Stone, it is still on display at the British Museum in London where it’s been displayed for 220 years, with the exception of a temporary relocation during World War I. While the Rosetta Stone has called London home for hundreds of years, there have been recent requests to return it to its homeland in Egypt.

Rosetta Stone is one of the world’s most popular and well-known language-learning softwares, but many users have wondered about where its name came from. The original Rosetta Stone was once the most enigmatic Egyptian artifact that confounded scholars for a number of years. When they finally cracked the code, one of the lost secrets of ancient Egypt was revealed. The Rosetta Stone is a slab of granite that has inscriptions of a decree issued in 196 B.C. by Egypt’s ruler at the time, Ptolemy V, and a group of Egyptian clergy members. The decree was written in hieroglyphics, ancient Greek, and Demotic, which was a script used

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