Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Smoking and Your Oral Health

Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” It’s not easy, but if you’re a smoker, you’ve seen the warning on cigarette packages that advise against quitting because it reduces serious risks to your health. Sure enough, studies have found that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in the development of periodontal disease. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we can’t force you to put the pack down, but we can tell you how smoking affects your oral health.


Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections and seems to impair blood flow to the gums which can affect wound healing. Tobacco’s greatest threat to your oral health in addition to periodontal disease is its association with oral cancer. Quitting is the only way to decrease your risk of tobacco-related health problems.


For more information about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Taking Care of Baby Teeth

Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. However, to help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sweet things, like formula, are in contact with the teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your child to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink.


Many parents think baby teeth aren’t important because they’re eventually replaced with permanent ones. However, these first teeth preserve the spacing for the permanent ones and help your baby chew and talk. If not cared for properly they can decay, leading to a gum infection called gingivitis, which can affect the spacing of permanent teeth. As soon as teeth erupt, you can start using a bit of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is three-years-old. Brush gently all around your child’s baby teeth using a soft brush. You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the toothbrush themselves.


If your child is old enough for a dental exam, please give us a call. For more information about pediatric services in addition to other services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Dangers of Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why it’s important to schedule regular dental checkups twice a year with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry, to keep your teeth and gums healthy.


When left untreated, plaque buildup leads to gum disease. The first sign of gum disease is gingivitis and you’ll know you have it when you spot blood in the sink after brushing your teeth. Gum disease has been linked to conditions such as diabetes, dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease. We want you to stay as healthy as possible, so to keep plaque under control, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. In addition, use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.


If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.