Comfort Family Dental - May 2022

Comfort Family Dental - May 2022

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

MAY 2022

Your kids might not understand how high blood pressure affects human health, but as adults, we see consequences of high blood pressure everywhere. Heart disease, strokes, cardiac arrest, and high blood pressure (also commonly called hypertension) can significantly increase a person’s risk of experiencing life-changing health conditions and events. The Silent Killer Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America — not second or third, but first! As discussed in previous newsletters, both hypertension and heart disease can be correlated to poor oral health. This is especially the case if you have periodontitis, a condition marked by gum infection, gum inflammation, and tooth damage. Why? When you have a cavity, plaque, or gum infection, bacteria isn’t just building up in your mouth. Often, bacteria is finding ways to enter your body through your bloodstream. Thus, all of your mouth’s bad bacteria is able to circulate throughout your entire body, including your heart. Even with a healthy diet and exercise, poor oral care can ruin your health in many aspects. For example, a study published by the American Heart Association found that patients with periodontitis were 20% less likely to have a healthy blood pressure reading, compared to patients with good oral health. It even finds that medication was less effective on patients with periodontitis, suggesting that the gum disease could be interfering with the effectiveness of blood pressure therapy. This is very consistent with previous studies in the field, including a study published in the Journal of Periodontology that involved over 20,000 American participants. It found that people with poor oral hygiene habits, such as infrequent brushing, were more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. But You Can Fix It Plaque Is Raising Your Blood Pressure

“Even with a healthy diet

and exercise, poor oral care can ruin your health in many aspects.”

Okay, but it’s not that common, right? Wrong. Both gum disease and hypertension are pretty common in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of adults (45%) with uncontrolled hypertension have a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher. That’s about 37 million U.S. adults who do not treat their hypertension. Similarly, the CDC also estimates that nearly half of Americans (46%) over the age of 30 show signs of gum disease. It’s statistically possible that you and your family have high blood pressure or will experience it in the future. In fact, 1 in 3 U.S. adults don’t even know they have high blood pressure. Remember that hypertension is usually completely treatable and preventable. Teaching your family proper oral hygiene habits will improve their ability to carry on the habit into adulthood. And all the experts agree: Brushing and flossing truly make a difference to your overall health. With the right diet, exercise, and oral hygiene practices, you minimize major health risks and can look forward to a much healthier, happier future.

– Dr. Corie Rowe

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THE ART OF QUIETING YOUR MIND BEFORE BED

Write it down. Instead of letting thoughts fill your mind right before bed (such as the next day’s tasks or any worries you have), set aside time before bed to write it out. Whether you are a fan of journaling, writing letters, or simply just listing out your problems, goals, and thoughts, grab a pen and paper and make it a nightly routine. This way, your thoughts will be freed before your head hits the pillow. Try a light snack. When you can’t sleep, the last thing that you want to do is eat something heavy. In fact, when you eat a large meal right before bed, your digestive system can become overwhelmed. But, studies have shown that eating a light carbohydrate snack such as crackers or popcorn when you can’t sleep may be helpful. Turn your room into a sleep haven. Keeping your bedroom neat, relaxing, and calm can help improve your sleep! Keep all televisions, computers, and screens out of the bedroom and furnish it with soft colors and textures that are tranquil and soothing to you. Pumping the brakes on worrisome thoughts racing through your mind can be tough, but trying these tips and tricks may earn you some relief and much needed sleep.

All day long, thoughts run through your mind, and by the end of the day, your head is probably ready to explode. After all, it’s estimated that in 24 hours you can have between 60,000– 80,000 thoughts. At some point, your brain needs a break, and that’s especially true before you try to go to bed. Here are some ways to quiet your mind, so you can get a full night’s sleep!

Keep your bed for sleeping. If you aren’t sleeping, get out of bed! Getting in the habit of scrolling through your phone, watching TV, reading, working, or even eating in bed teaches your brain that your bed is for things other than sleeping! If you find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity such as reading, journaling, listening to music, or meditating. When you get tired, try getting back in bed. Breathe deeply. Breathing exercises can not only help calm your mind and spirit, but they can lower your heart rate, which is especially beneficial in relieving stress or anxiety when things are upsetting you.

Can a Healthy Diet Help Clean My Teeth?

Did you know that fresh fruits and vegetables can help clean your teeth? Although not everyone likes the same fruits or vegetables, there are core, teeth- friendly practices you can implement into any healthy diet. If you’re worried about your oral hygiene, and you want to lighten the burden on your regular brushing (and flossing, right?), try implementing these great eating habits into your diet. No. 1: Crunch on raw foods at the end of the meal — or drink milk after dessert. It’s not just about what foods you eat, but the order you eat them in! Whether it’s a crisp apple or a crunchy salad, crisp or crunchy raw foods help clean your teeth and massage your gums, while generating more saliva to wash away extra food particles left after a meal. Why do those food particles matter? Remember, it’s all about minimizing

the presence of bacteria — and leftover food can be a major culprit in attracting bacteria.

to decrease your risk of cavities, especially after sugary treats or drinks. No. 3: Celery is the closest thing to ‘natural floss.’

If you do eat dessert at the end of your meal, consuming “acid neutralizing foods” (such as milk, unsweetened tea, or cheese) can also help “prevent prolonged acid attacks to your teeth and therefore help prevent cavities,” according to Dr. Christine D. Wu, a leading researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. No. 2: Tap water (or fluoridated water) is one of the healthiest drinks available. Your body is 60% water, which makes hydration crucial for distributing nutrients, getting rid of waste, giving your skin a healthy glow, and keeping your muscles going. It’s also crucial for your oral health, especially when it includes fluoride, nature’s cavity fighter. Drinking fluoridated water is one of the most beneficial things you can do

As mentioned before, crunchy foods are a great asset to your oral health, including carrots, raw sugar peas, jicama, and more. However, although nothing can floss your teeth as well as floss does, eating celery doesn’t hurt. In fact, if celery is a common mainstay in your diet, you might find that flossing is a lot easier and less painful. The truth is that the fibrous, crunchy stalks of celery often help “floss” your teeth. With plenty of water and crunchy raw foods, you’re sure to have a cleaner smile with fresher breath all day long! Don’t hesitate to call our team at Comfort Dental if you have questions.

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POOR ORAL HEALTH CAN CAUSE VISION LOSS And, Yes, Even Blindness As a child, you might not remember your dentist telling you about the ways oral health can be harmful for your overall health. That might be because it’s a newer topic of interest. Today, new studies are constantly discovering surprising things about the mouth-body connection and how bacteria that enters the bloodstream from the mouth influences your body’s overall health. Some of these shocking findings include the fact that gum disease affects your vision — and more than you might think. The Journey of Neurotoxic Bacteria According to recent studies, certain dental problems can carry over into the eyes due to linked neurotoxic bacteria that can develop. Tooth decay, gum disease, and old mercury fillings can all host these neurotoxic bacteria long enough to cause root problems — necessitating a root canal — and allowing the bacteria to circulate into your eyes through the lymphatic system. This can cause optic nerve damage, and then vision loss. For example, open-angle glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that results from increased fluid buildup in the eye, which places excessive (and damaging) pressure on your optic nerve. When it’s untreated, it can

lead to vision loss and even blindness. A study by Dr. Louis Pasquale of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School has determined that a correlation exists between tooth infections and development of this type of glaucoma. In another study, published by Journal of Glaucoma, researchers recorded the number of natural teeth a glaucoma patient has, or doesn’t have, to help indicate their level of gum disease or tooth decay. The study suggests it’s quite possible that oral health is a contributing factor for different types of vision-endangering glaucoma. If you or a family member have old mercury fillings, please contact our offices right away so they can be replaced with newer, safer materials. Take immediate care of your teeth, especially if you require root canal therapy on a badly diseased tooth or have existing gum disease that requires treatment. Unfortunately, if you don’t act, as health professionals are finding out, it may not only cost you your smile, but also your vision. Take a Break

“Your body hears everything your mind says.” –NAOMI JUDD

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Plaque Is Raising Your Blood Pressure

5 Solutions for Quality Sleep

Foods and Drinks That Clean Your Teeth

Yes, Gum Disease Affects Your Vision

Take a Break

Strengthen Your Entire Body!

BIG BENEFITS OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING Paddle Your Way to Better Health

Mental Benefits • While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus . • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability . This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep . Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. • Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D . This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system. Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits. Physical Benefits • Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower-body muscles . • While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength . Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance , enabling you to go longer distances faster.

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