Hanging By a Thread: How Flossing Can Save Your Life

People don't normally pay much mind to flossing, but the health of one's gums is closely related to the health of the rest of one's body. Being that the mouth is the entry point for everything from food to air and water, entering anything into the mouth always runs the risk of introducing new bacteria into the system. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent bacteria from entering the system, but as it collects on the base of the teeth and the gums, plaque forms from the bacteria and can lead to gum infections and disease. The blood that runs through the gums is the same blood that runs all over the body, so an infection introduced into the bloodstream can cause much more serious problems down the line than a little pink in the sink. Gum disease can also be an indicator of other problems that are present in the body, so it is important to meet with dentists at least twice a year to stay on top of your oral health. To prevent gum disease, brush thoroughly twice a day, floss once a day, limit smoking, and the occasional swish with mouthwash doesn't hurt either. Also, making sure children's teeth are clean and gums are healthy is an important means of monitoring a child's overall health over the long term. For more information, log on to check out this segment from CBS News. For a reliable local dentist to check out your teeth and gums to help prevent gum disease, head over to the website of Dr. Larry James D.S.S. and schedule an appoint today!

Never Too Young For Cavities

According to a recent New York Times article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported an increase in the number of preschool-aged children requiring extensive dental work due to neglect. The article centers around a 2 1/2 year old boy with cavities in 55% of his baby teeth with some of the teeth requiring extraction because of the extent of the tooth decay. The very young boy required a root canal for one of the morals and fillings and crowns for the other damages teeth. The increase in these numbers has been mostly tied to the number of parents who underestimate the need for proper oral hygiene in their very young children. The cases reported show that socioeconomic factors do not play as much of a role. To read more on this lapse in dental hygiene and a reminder to parents to care for their children's teeth from the earliest age, click here to read the New York Times article. From the very youngest of patients to the very oldest, Dr. Larry James DDS reminds everyone to brush and floss regularly and schedule regular visits for cleanings and dental check-ups. For more, visit Dr. Larry James' website.

Why Does It Hurt: Identifying the Causes of Tooth Aches

Tooth aches are not only some of the worst pains anyone can feel, but also some of the most annoying. If someone had a sore knee or ankle, they can simply take some time off said area and let it heal while a tooth ache involves an area that we use in order to survive! But where there's smoke, there's fire and with every ache and pain, there is a reason for it. From a cavity to non-dental sources, there are many different causes for that tooth ache that might wake you up at night or just be a dull pain throughout your day. To discover what is causing this pain, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your dentist so that they might not only alleviate the pain, but diagnose the cause and prevent any further damage from taking place. Take a look at About.com's "Why Does My Tooth Hurt?" article to read up on the possible reasons for your tooth ache and be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Larry James, D.D.S., for a comfortable dental experience with speedy results.

Who Needs a Sink?

Who needs a sink? Certainly not these people. In a creatively-quirky new website, the act of brushing one's teeth is taken far from the sink and even further away from the bathroom. From brushing in irish pubs to being caught brushing in a law school class room, dental hygiene seems to have no geographical restrictions! To check out the most interesting places people have been caught brushing their teeth, check out the folks at People Brushing Their Teeth and feel to criticize not only their location, but their brushing form! For the finest in dental hygiene in more typical locations, check out the page of Dr. Larry James D.D.S. for all you dental needs.

Advantages of Electric Tooth Brushes

Time to replace your tooth brush? Well, even if it isn't, you might want to make the move over to an electric toothbrush. Whether you're having issues with gum irritation, not being able to brush properly in different corners of your mouth, or you're just looking for that just-came-from-the-dentist slick feeling, there are a wide variety of toothbrushes on the market to serve your needs. In addition to making brushing easier, electric toothbrushes also help your tooth-brushing technique. Many times, people can actually cause their gums to recede due to improper brushing direction or brushing too hard around the gum line. Electric toothbrushes remedy many of these problems at the push of a button. In addition to the immediate results, electric toothbrushes also have special features, such as timers for brushing, that other the standard tooth brush doesn't have. If you're weary about the initial price of an electric toothbrush, also keep in mind that the replacement toothbrush heads tend to last longer than a standard toothbrush with even less environment impact when discarded. As well as being more green, an investment in an electric toothbrush is an investment towards your own oral health. For more information the benefits of an electric toothbrush, check out this article from the people at Dicovery Fit & Health. For the finest dental care in the Tulsa area, visit the the experts at Dr. Larry James D.S.S. for service with a smile for your smile.