How Is Oral Health Defined?

Everyone wants to have a healthy mouth and beautiful smile, but what exactly does it mean to have good oral health? Some individuals may think that a beautiful smile can be attributed to healthy teeth, but in some cases teeth whitening products can make a smile appear healthy even when it is not. If you are not certain what it means to have good oral health or what steps you should take to improve the health of your mouth, here is a brief definition of what oral health entails.

What does “Oral” mean in Oral Health?

The word “oral” has Latin roots that refer to the entire mouth; not just the teeth. This means that a person who wants to improve their oral health should focus on all of the tissues in the mouth, including the tongue, chewing muscles, teeth, gums, lips, and connective tissues. Based on this definition, oral health is achieved when all of the various structures in the mouth are taken care of and are free from painful conditions.

In addition to gingivitis and tooth decay, other conditions that affect oral health include:

  • Soft tissue lesions in the oral area
  • Pharyngeal and oral cancers
  • Cleft palate
  • Cleft lip
  • Other painful oral diseases or conditions

Why is Oral Health So Important?

The health and scientific communities are continuously discovering links between oral health and other dangerous physical conditions, such as:

  • Premature births
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease

If you are concerned about the health of your body in general, you should also be concerned about improving your oral health. In addition to being linked to various physical ailments, poor oral health can also make it difficult for individuals to eat, drink, and converse with others.

How can I Improve my Oral Health?

You can take matters into your own hands and improve your oral health by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, eating a healthy diet, and receiving regular dental checkups.

Dental 360° – Utah April Issue

Dental 360° – Utah April Issue

It’s a new month and Spring has finally arrived. The time has come where we can start enjoying the warmer weather, the beautiful flowers beginning to bloom, and the great outdoors. April is a month to be appreciative of the world around us, but it is also a time to bring awareness to Parkinson’s Disease and Oral Cancer. April is Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Awareness Month. PD is a nervous system disorder that affects movement. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year and over 10 million people worldwide are living with it. Join Roseman Dental and the Parkinson’s Foundation this month to #KnowMorePD. This month is also Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral Cancer is cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Every hour, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Yet, with early detection and treatment, Oral Cancer has high rates of survival. Make sure to get screened for Oral Cancer at your next dentist appointment.

During this month’s issue of Dental 360°, you’ll gain insight into how Parkinson’s Disease impacts dental health (link to article), a 360° look at Oral Cancer and gain a better understanding of tooth sensitivity and why you may have it (link to article).

Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, dental residents and students, and dental assistants and hygienists all focused on you and your family’s oral health. We offer comprehensive care, are a one stop shop for all your dental needs and offer dental care at a cost typically lower than what you would find at a traditional dental office. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2011 and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.

We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you monthly.

 

Dental 360° April Articles

Parkinson’s Disease & Dental Health
Oral Cancer Awareness
Tooth Sensitivity & Why I Have It

Dental 360° – Nevada April Issue

Dental 360° – Nevada April Issue

It’s a new month and Spring has finally arrived. The time has come where we can start enjoying the warmer weather, the beautiful flowers beginning to bloom, and the great outdoors. April is a month to be appreciative of the world around us, but it is also a time to bring awareness to Parkinson’s Disease and Oral Cancer. April is Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Awareness Month. PD is a nervous system disorder that affects movement. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year and over 10 million people worldwide are living with it. Join Roseman Dental & Orthodontics and the Parkinson’s Foundation this month to #KnowMorePD. This month is also Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral Cancer is cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Every hour, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Yet, with early detection and treatment, Oral Cancer has high rates of survival. Make sure to get screened for Oral Cancer at your next dentist appointment.

During this month’s issue of Dental 360°, you’ll gain insight into how Parkinson’s Disease impacts dental health, a 360° look at Oral Cancer and the spring discounts Roseman Dental is offering for orthodontic treatment.

Roseman Dental & Orthodontics’ Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, orthodontists, orthodontic residents – 30 to be exact, and dental residents all focused on you and your family’s oral health. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics has been serving its community since 2009 and is a comprehensive, one stop shop for all your dental needs including dental, orthodontic and craniofacial cleft lip & palate treatment.

We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you monthly.

 

Dental 360° April Articles

Parkinson’s Disease & Dental Health
Oral Cancer Awareness
Spring into a Fresh Smile – New Orthodontic Discounts

 

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4 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mouth

4 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mouth

If you’re like most people, the coming of a new year is a time to think about making new year’s resolutions for a healthier, happier you. If you’re tired of making—and breaking—the same resolutions to save money, get more organized, or lose weight, think about these four simple resolutions you can make for a healthier mouth, which can lead to better overall health.

Eat More Fruits and Veggies

If this sounds like a resolution for weight loss, consider that eating more fruits and vegetables, and a healthier diet all around, can help you lose weight at the same time that it improves your oral health. Nutrients in fruits and vegetables help to build your immune system, improving your ability to fight off infection like gum disease, inflammation, and bacteria in your mouth. Raw, crispy fruits also help reduce plaque buildup on the teeth, leading to fresher breath and fewer cavities. As a bonus, it will also help you work toward that other weight loss resolution.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the main causes of oral decay, including tooth discoloration, cavities, receding gums, infection, and lung and oral cancers. Both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco can double your risk of losing your teeth, but fortunately once you stop smoking, the risk of tooth loss and other diseases immediately decrease.

Start Flossing

If you think your mouth is healthy because you already brush twice a day, it could be a lot healthier if you add flossing to that routine. Flossing helps remove hard-to-reach plaque that builds up between teeth and near the gum line, where you toothbrush can’t reach, and where gum disease often begins. It only takes 2 minutes to floss your teeth, so if you add that to your 2 minutes of brushing in the morning and night, you’re still spending less than 10 minutes a day to get a healthier mouth.

Go See a Dentist

There is no substitute for seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, make a new year’s resolution to schedule an appointment. Your dentist can help you identify and prevent oral health problems before they become major issues, and may notice subtle signs of disease that you would otherwise not see on your own. There are affordable places you can go for dental care, including the Dental Clinic at Roseman University, if you don’t have a dentist or you can’t afford to go to the dentist because you don’t have insurance.

Dental Examinations & X-Rays

If you are interested in becoming a patient at The Dental Clinic at Roseman University, the first step is to schedule a no-cost screening exam. These appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm on all days when the University is open. It’s important to understand the difference between these initial screening exams and the more comprehensive exams you will undergo if you are accepted as a patient in our clinic. Here is a brief overview of the two types of exams.

Screening Exam

The screening exam is a brief (20 to 30 minute) exam that is performed by one of our student dentists, under the supervision of a faculty member who is a licensed dentist. The purpose of this exam is to identify your dental needs on a basic level so we can determine if your needs meet our students’ ability to provide treatment. No dental care is provided during the screening appointments, and not everyone will be eligible to be a patient. You can schedule a screening by calling 801-878-1200.

Comprehensive Exam

Following the screening exam, if our students and faculty determine that our student dentists can meet your dental needs, you will undergo a comprehensive exam. This is a very thorough examination of your mouth and the surrounding areas (extraoral and intraoral hard and soft tissues). Your provider will:

  • Take x-rays of your mouth and teeth
  • Evaluate and record your medical and dental history
  • Perform a general health assessment
  • Evaluate and record any existing dental caries (cavities)
  • Check for missing or unerupted teeth
  • Evaluate and record existing restorations or prostheses (dentures)
  • Check for occlusal relationships, periodontal conditions, and any hard or soft tissue anomalies
  • Evalute for oral cancer where appropriate

All patients who are accepted for treatment will receive a comprehensive exam that includes x-rays, and it may also be recommended for patients who have a significant change in their overall or oral health, or who have not received treatment recently (in the past three years).

[info_box title=”” image=”” animate=””]Call our clinic today to schedule your free initial screening and consultation at 801-878-1200.[/info_box]