Dentist, Dr. Douglas Callow, DDS, in Plymouth MI 48170 provides a full range of dental treatment services. Dr. Callow's dental care services include: children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, Invisalign aligners, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry. Visit our main website at www.CallowDDS.com to learn more about our dental treatment in Plymouth!
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Sher Warkentin Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead. Holiday Activity Fun Fill your child's countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar. A Puzzling Treat Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special message on a blank puzzle. Break the pieces apart and place one puzzle piece in each day of your advent calendar. Every day your child can add the pieces together until they have a completed puzzle revealing a special holiday message or fun activity to do together. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
Sugar-Free Trinkets
Story-A-Day
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below is one way that diabetes can affect your oral health. Slow Healing
Have you ever noticed a cold sore or a cut in your mouth that doesn’t quite seem to go away? This can be another way that diabetes may affect your mouth. Poor control of blood sugar can keep injuries from healing quickly and properly. If you have something in your mouth that you feel isn’t healing as it should, see your dentist. To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health. Change in Taste
Your favorite flavors might not taste as rich as your remember if you have diabetes. It can be disappointing, but take the opportunity to experiment with different tastes, textures and spices to your favorite foods. Just take care not to add too much sugar to your food in an effort to add flavor. Not only can this affect the quality of your diet, it can also lead to more cavities. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor. Infections
Diabetes affects your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. One common among people with diabetes is a yeast infection called oral thrush (candidiasis). The yeast thrive on the higher amount of sugar found in your saliva, and it looks like a white layer coating your tongue and the insides of your cheeks. Thrush is more common in people who wear dentures and can often leave a bad taste in your mouth. See your dentist if you think you have thrush or any other mouth infection. To read all '5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth' visit MouthHealthy.org.
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
With age comes wisdom. Specifically, wisdom teeth.
Your mouth goes through many changes in your lifetime. One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age.
When they come through correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew. Itís normal to feel a little discomfort when your wisdom teeth appear, but if you have pain, see your dentist immediately.
Room to Grow? Wisdom teeth can lead to problems if there isnít enough space for them to surface or they come through in the wrong position. If your dentist says your wisdom teeth are impacted, he or she means they are trapped in your jaw or under your gums.
As your wisdom teeth make their way through your gums, your dentist will be monitoring your mouth for signs of the following:
Wisdom teeth that aren't in the right position can allow food to become trapped. That gives cavity-causing bacteria a place to grow.
Wisdom teeth that haven't come in properly, which can make it difficult to floss between the wisdom teeth and the molars next to them.
Wisdom teeth that have partially come through can give bacteria a place to enter the gums and create a place for infection to occur. This may also lead to pain, swelling and stiffness in your jaw.
Wisdom teeth that don't have room to come through are thought by some to crowd or damage neighboring teeth.
A wisdom tooth that is impacted can form a cyst on or near the impacted tooth. This could damage the roots of nearby teeth or destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA Can food or drink choices help a person have healthier gums? Japanese researchers studied a group of nearly 950 adults to determine whether consuming dairy products with lactic acid like milk, yogurt and cheese, had a lower risk for gum disease. Participants' periodontal health was evaluated through two measurements - periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue. Researchers found that participants who consumed 55 grams or more each day of yogurt or lactic acid drinks had significantly lower instance of periodontal disease. They found that consuming milk or cheese was not as beneficial to periodontal health. Researchers theorize that the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus bacteria could be related to healthier gums. Another Japanese study showed that adults who drank green tea might also lead to healthier gums, because its antioxidants have anti - inflammatory properties. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
Lots of people ask their dental professional if there’s a difference between plaque and tartar-and it’s a great question. Both plaque and tartar buildup are common dental problems. Significant plaque buildup can result in tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar is calcified plaque. Arming yourself with the facts can help you be smarter about how you care for your teeth. The Facts About Plaque Plaque is sticky, colorless film containing bacteria that builds up naturally on tooth surfaces and especially along the gum line within four to 12 hours after brushing. Sugars in food and drinks can combine with plaque bacteria to release acids. These acids attack tooth enamel and break it down, which can then create cavities. Plaque bacteria can also contribute to gum disease, like gingivitis. Regular brushing and flossing are your most effective tools in the fight against plaque. If it’s not removed daily, plaque eventually accumulates and hardens into tartar. To read the entire article visit OralB.com.
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
#5: Watch out for starchy foods These are sneaky because they often get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in chips and cakes, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.
#6: You can still have fun So, what can you eat? Lots of stuff! Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish and vary your diet. Eat whole grains and choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods. The holidays are a great time of year to start thinking about healthier habits. If you do snack, make it a nutritious choice-such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables-for your overall health and the health of your teeth. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
#3: Limit your alcohol intake ’Tis the season for egg nog, Brandy Alexanders and glog! If you choose to imbibe, try to drink water alongside your drinks. And remember: Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth. #4: Take it easy on the hard candies Some candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!) To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
Dry mouth, or xerostomin is the result of decreased saliva production, which affects up to 60% of older adults. Saliva lubricates the mouth helping to prevent decay and protect tooth enamel. But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to manage this condition. Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of reasons, including medications you may be taking, radiation or cancer treatments, smoking, immune deficiency, systemic diseases (such as Diabetes, Parkinsonís, Sjogren syndrome) or salivary gland aplasia. To read the entire article , please visit plus.HealthyTeeth.org
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
In a perfect world, there would be no cavities - but unfortunately that would mean there would have to be no sugar, and let’s be honest, that’s never going to happen. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet isn’t just important to your overall health, its important to your oral health as well. Frequent or prolonged intake of sugary foods enables bacteria to maintain an acidic environment on the surface of your teeth. Soft and sticky foods cling to the biting surfaces of the teeth and stay there until itís brushed off. Saliva will spread the sugar between the teeth, and to the front and back. So how do cavities occur and that ugly dental decay? Every time you eat, plaque and bacteria in your mouth mix with the sugar and starch from the food you ingest, creating an acidic environment in your mouth. This acid softens the enamel of your teeth, and without proper oral hygiene, can expose your teeth to troublesome cavities. How to reduce the risk of decay:
Brush daily with fluoridated toothpaste.
Follow your country’s food guide necessary for a healthy diet.
When eating starchy foods such as bread, cereal and pasta, minimize the time teeth are exposed by eating them with meals rather than snacking on them throughout the day.
Substitute sugary snacks with sugar-free gum and mints. Xylitol found in some chewing gums has been found to reduce risk of cavities. This can help reduce cavities and increase saliva flow.
Drink high-sugar beverages through a straw, then rinse mouth with water and brush within 30 minutes. But be careful, brushing to quickly following a meal can damage your teeth’s enamel.
Rinsing with water after eating can help cleanse the teeth before brushing.
Knowledge is power. Your dentist will tell you, the more information they know about your overall health and current medications as possible, the easier to better understand your oral health needs. Because we know good overall health requires great oral health, and the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, it should come as little surprise that many serious health issues are linked to problems that first started in the mouth. And the same goes with any medications you may be taking. Before your dentists starts their examination or any other procedure, make sure to disclose any and all mediations you may currently be taking. Some procedures or prescribed medications can have adverse effects when taken in combination. In addition, alert your dentist to any allergies, so prescribed medication can be as effective as possible. The same goes for pregnancy, or other health care treatments you may currently be experiencing, which may cause changes to your body. This can help avoid tooth loss, gum disease or other oral health issues as side effects of treatment you may currently be experiencing. It’s always a good idea not only discuss these things with a physician, but also a dentist as well to ensure your oral health is monitored as well. To read the entire article please visit Plus.HealthyTeeth.org
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
Think back to the days when your tongue served two main functions: licking soft-serve ice cream cones and taunting a sibling when you stuck it out in his direction. But the tongue actually goes beyond melting desserts and young attitude. Here are ten human tongue facts, including some of its functions. The Average Tongue Is Four Inches Long The tongue consists of two parts: anterior and posterior. The anterior tongue is mostly visible and about two thirds of the tongue's total length. The posterior tongue sits near the back of the throat and measures the other one third in length. To read the entire article by Steve Auger, please visit Colgate.com
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
The habit: Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t. The solution: Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth will thank you. To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
Halloween is just around the corner, and although candy consumption is almost unavoidable this time of year, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) wants parents and children to know that there are both good and bad candy options, both of which may find their way into children's trick-or-treat bags this fall. "Of course, dentists do not advocate that children eat large amounts of sugary treats, but it is that time of year, so we want to clarify for parents which treats are better for their kids' teeth and which ones may increase the risk of developing cavities," says AGD spokesperson Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD. To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com Dentist Plymouth MI Douglas A. Callow, DDS 9357 General Drive, Suite 112 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: (734) 455-2890 Website: www.CallowDDS.com
Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead.
