Aging & Your Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about aging and your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

The Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

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.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Parts of the Tooth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about what makes up the tooth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#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.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#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.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Lifestyle & Your Oral Health

Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Dry Mouth (xerostomin)

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

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

The Importance of a Good Diet

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.

To read the entire article please visit Plus.HealthyTeeth.org

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Oral Health & Other Medications

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

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Ten Human Tongue Facts for Well-Rounded Oral Care

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

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

High Tech Dental Tools

Cleaner Than Clean

Your teeth will feel cleaner than they have ever been when they are cleaned with the Piezo Scaler™. This high-tech tool removes deposits faster and easier with high-frequency vibrations. Patients comment there is little or no discomfort when having their teeth cleaned with this advanced scaler.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

6 Habits That Harm Your Teeth (And How to Break Them): Using Your Teeth As Tools

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

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Bad Breath and Dental Problems

Don't Ruin Your Social Life with Bad Breath

Bad breath usually means a more serious, underlying problem. We have advanced diagnosis and treatment to identify the source of the problem and to make your breath fresh again. Don't wait another day to take care of an issue that can cause embarrassment and affect your overall good health.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Why X-Rays?

Learn what the American Dental Association's answer is to the question: "Why X-Ray?".

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Gum Infection Dental Treatments

Returning Gums to a Healthy State

We can make your gums infection free with a powerful tool called ARESTIN™. Tiny microspheres containing antibiotics are applied directly to the site of infection and work around the clock to kill the bacteria and keep it from spreading. It does its work painlessly so you won't feel a thing, but your gums will return to a healthy state.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Sensitive Teeth

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about sensitive teeth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Dental Intra-Oral Technology

Technology Lets You See for Yourself

We want you to participate in all dental decisions, and modern technology makes it possible. With the miniature intra-oral video camera, you can view the interior of your mouth to see for yourself which teeth need work. Patients love taking part in the process, and you will too!

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Preventative Dental Care

Good Dental Health is More Than Just a Nice Smile

Our dentists emphasize the importance of oral health to your well-being and now use a process that is more than just diagnosing and repairing dental problems. This process entails recording each visit with the condition of your teeth and gums. The information is maintained on a graph in our computer, so the dentist can access the details and track your dental health. It lets our doctors set health goals for you and provide the necessary information to achieve those goals. We want patients to recognize the importance of dental health in obtaining nutrition from your food and maintaining vitality and bodily well-being.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Dental Gum Disease Treatment

Easier Treatments for Gum Disease

Don't wait to come into our office to be treated for gum disease. At the very first signs, it is important to stop the spread of the bacteria. When the infection is in the milder stages, there are nonsurgical methods to take care of the problem. Waiting until the infection is advanced may mean surgery to return the gums to a healthy state. Both types of treatment are usually covered by most dental insurance plans.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com

Dental Alternative to Gum Surgery

Alternative to Gum Surgery

Perhaps you have been told you need gum surgery. But with laser technology, there may be an alternative way to take care of the problem. Today's lasers are nothing short of miraculous in the results they produce. It is a quick, less invasive approach that can be virtually painless. Our doctors have treated numerous cases of gum infection, and the laser we use is FDA approved, as it is both safe and effective. An additional plus is that use of the laser regenerates diminishing bone mass from years of infected gums.

Suncook Dental   
Charles Albee, DMD   
Andrew Albee, DMD   
119 Pembroke Street   
Suncook, NH 03275   
(603) 485-2273     
SuncookDental.com