Say No to Tobacco!

Say No to Tobacco!

Do you smoke? If you don't, you probably know some friends or see other students at school who do. Too many young people today are getting addicted to tobacco, and the results are showing up in their mouths.
Smoking or using smokeless "chewing" tobacco can make you four times more likely of developing oral cancer (especially on the rise in women as more younger girls take up smoking) - and it's not just something that older adults get anymore.

On top of cancer, tobacco causes:

bad breath
stained teeth
bone loss
shrinking gums
mouth sores
leukoplakia(an irritation frequently caused by tobacco, it can eventually become cancer)   

Young people who think that smokeless "chewing" tobacco is somehow safer than lighting up are putting themselves at terrible risk of illness. Chewing tobacco releases a variety of chemicals into the body and often causes mouth sores, cracked and bleeding lips and gums, and can lead to cancer of the throat, mouth and gums.

How does Tobacco
affect oral health?

Tobacco contains many substances known to be cytotoxic (destructive to your body's cells and tissues). Smokers have more calculus (hardened dental plaque) than nonsmokers, and heavy smokers have more calculus than light smokers. The Nicotine in tobacco causes something called vasoconstriction (narrowing the blood vessels). Blood circulation - certainly an important thing! - has been shown to decrease by as much as 70% in your mouth during the smoking of a cigarette. Tobacco smoking, furthermore, also affects your body's immune responses (defense system).
New studies are even showing the possibility that second-hand tobacco smoke (the smoke from someone else's cigarette) causes periodontal disease (gum disease).

Sugar? In tobacco?

We all know that sugar is a major cause of tooth decay. More than one-fifth of the content of some brands of smokeless "chewing" tobacco is sugar, and causes a much greater risk of developing cavities.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Isidoros  Mereos enjoys bettering the lives of his patients through the practice of cosmetic dentistry at Precious Smiles in the Miami Beach area. Our team looks forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

What Foods are Good for Children's Teeth?

Happy Healthy Smiles

You probably know that sweets and soda are bad for your children's teeth, but have you stopped to think about what foods are good for their teeth?

Some foods support tooth and gum health. Keep these foods in mind the next time you pack your children's lunches:

* Look for vegetables high in vitamin A. Veggies like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, broccoli and carrots are high in vitamin A, which is important in the formation of tooth enamel. Try packing baby carrots in children's lunchboxes or making homemade, baked sweet potato fries.

 

Say "cheese." Cheese helps balance the pH in the mouth, making it less friendly for destructive bacteria. It also contains calcium. Just be sure to watch portion sizes, as cheese is high in fat and salt. An appropriate serving of natural cheese, like cheddar, is the size of two domino pieces.

* Snack on fruit. You may know that vitamin C is good for your skin, but did you know that it's also good for your gums? Healthy gums help support teeth, so make sure your children get enough vitamin C. For their size, kiwis have more vitamin C than any other fruit. If green things are a tough sell, try apple slices, strawberries or orange wedges.

Don't Forget Good Oral Hygiene

 

Remember that there is no substitute for good oral hygiene. Make sure your children brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss at least once a day. Teach them to drink water after eating, as it will help flush food from their mouth.

Of course, children aren't always the most diligent brushers and flossers. Some parents give their children an oral care probiotic to help pick up any slack in kids' oral care habits. Oral care probiotics work by flooding the mouth with good bacteria, which adhere to tooth surfaces, including crevices, pits and fissures in the chewing surfaces, leaving less room for bad bacteria to grow. The probiotics effectively compete with certain harmful bacteria for both nutrients and space on teeth surfaces, reaching where brushing and flossing can't.

 

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Isidoros  Mereos enjoys bettering the lives of his patients through the practice of cosmetic dentistry at Precious Smiles in the Miami Beach area. Our team looks forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.