Pregnancy and Newborn Oral Health

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about 'Pregnancy and Newborn 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

Travel Tips for Your Teeth: Emergencies

In Case of Emergency...
Have your dentist’s contact info handy in your cell phone or keep a business card in your wallet. “If you think you need to talk to somebody, you probably do,” Dr. Messina says. In fact, more dental emergencies can be resolved over the phone than you might think (especially if you keep up regular visits). “As a patient, it’s hard to know the difference between something that needs to be treated right away and something that can wait until you get home,” he says. “That’s what we are here for.”

In Case of Emergency Overseas...
If you are out of the country and absolutely in need of a dentist, Dr. Messina recommends getting in touch with the local consulate or U.S. embassy. “While talking to the concierge at the hotel is OK, ask the consulate and their employees for a recommendation,” he says. “It’s an independent recommendation and not someone who may be driving business because of a contract or to a relative.”

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

Travel Tips for Your Teeth: Toothbrush

Forget Your Toothbrush?
Sunscreen? Check. Phone charger? Check. Toothbrush? Oops. If you find yourself temporarily without a toothbrush, Dr. Messina says you can rinse vigorously with water to wash away some of that cavity-causing bacteria. You could also put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth or your clean finger in a pinch. When you finally get to the nearest drugstore, look for a toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If there aren’t any Seal products, buy the softest brush you can find.


Proper Toothbrush Transport
Letting your toothbrush air dry is how you keep your toothbrush clean at home, but that’s not always possible on vacation. What’s a traveling toothbrush to do? “I’m a big fan of resealable plastic bags. Keeping your toothbrush clean and out of contact with other things is more important that making sure it’s dry on vacation,” Dr. Messina says. “A bag keeps your toothbrush separate from everything else in your luggage. When you get there, pop it open and let your brush air dry.”

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

Travel Tips for Your Teeth

Pack an ADA-Accepted Pack of Gum 
Chewing sugarless gum can help relieve ear pressure during a flight ñ and help keep cavities at bay on vacay. Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities. That’s because it gets saliva flowing, which helps wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Sugarless gum with the ADA Seal is guaranteed to do the trick.

When In Doubt, Brush with Bottled Water 
If you are in a country where the water supply is compromised - or you’re on a wilderness adventure but aren’t sure how clean the stream is - always use bottled water to brush. “Don’t use the local water to brush your teeth,” Dr. Messina says. What happens if you accidentally get local water on your toothbrush? “Get a new one if you can,” he says. “If that isn’t possible, rinse your brush well with bottled water to reduce the risk of getting sick.”

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

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

Great American Smokeout

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about quitting smoking.

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

What is a Cavity and What Causes Tooth Decay?

What to Know About Cavities and Tooth Decay

While cavities are very common dental problems in both children and adults, they can be prevented. Find out what you need to know to stay ahead of cavities. 

What Exactly Is a Cavity? 
It’s actually pretty simple. Decay (or softening of enamel) happens over time and the result is a cavity-a defect left in the tooth. Teeth are covered with a hard protective top layer called enamel. But once the enamel is weakened by acids produced by bacteria, a pit or cavity is formed in or on the tooth surface. 

What Causes Cavities and Tooth Decay?
While it’s ultimately acid-producing bacteria that leads to cavity formation, the most common cause of bacterial growth is inadequate daily brushing and flossing. Certain foods (carbs) and sugary drinks contribute to cavity formation-bacteria metabolize these carbohydrates and sugars and produce cavity-forming acids. 

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

Mouth Healthy Moments: How to Floss

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about flossing your 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

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays

#1: Timing matters 
Timing matters. While everything is fine in moderation, it helps to eat sweets and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.  

#2: Be picky if it's sticky
When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky and sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to rinse with water and brush carefully. 

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

Sugarless Gum

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about sugarless gum.

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

What is Dry Mouth?

What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth means you don't have enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth moist. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, especially if you're nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious health problems or indicate that a more serious medical condition may exist. That's because saliva does more than just keep the mouth wet -it helps digest food, protects teeth from decay, prevents infection by controlling bacteria in the mouth, and makes it possible for you to chew and swallow.

There are several reasons that the glands that produce saliva, called the salivary glands, might not function properly. These include:

• Side effects of some medications - over 400 medicines can cause dry mouth, including antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and medicines for high blood pressure and depression.
• Disease - diseases that affect the salivary glands, such as diabetes, Hodgkin's, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS and Sjogren's syndrome, may lead to dry mouth.
• Radiation therapy - the salivary glands can be damaged if your head or neck are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment. The loss of saliva can be total or partial, permanent or temporary.
• Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, or "ropey," causing your mouth to feel dry.
• Menopause - changing hormone levels affect the salivary glands, often leaving menopausal and post-menopausal women with a persistent feeling of dry mouth.
• Smoking - many pipe, cigar and heavy cigarette smokers experience dry mouth.

To read the entire article , please visit Colgate.com

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

Diet & Your Teeth

Learn more about the connection between your teeth and what you eat.

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

Dentistry & Overall Health

Learn more about dental care and your overall 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 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

Eating Right For Healthy Teeth

Learn what Delta Dental of New Jersey has to say about 'Eating Right For Healthy Teeth'.

The above video is found on the Delta Dental of New Jersey YouTube Channel.

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

Four Different Types of Teeth Plus More

Most of us know how important it is to look after our teeth, but do you know what the different types of teeth are and how we use them? Teeth don't just help you bite and chew; they play an important role in speaking and support many aspects of your facial structure. There are four kinds of teeth in your mouth, according to Everyday Health, and each performs a slightly different function. Then there are three rarer formations that can occur in a growing jaw.

Incisors
At the front of the mouth are eight thin, straight teeth called incisors - four at the top and four at the bottom - which bite into the food you eat and help you pronounce words as you you speak. Incisors also support the lips.

To read the entire article by Jenny Green, please visit Colgate.com

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

Parts of the Mouth and Their Functions

The mouth, or oral cavity, is made up of numerous components that work together so that you can breathe, speak, eat and digest food. When you understand these parts of the mouth and how they affect your general health, the significance of oral care takes on a whole new meaning. Here's what these things do for you.

Lips and Cheeks
Your lips and cheeks are made up of muscles that not only give you the ability to pucker up for a kiss, but also help shape your facial expressions - both happy and sad. Lips let air into your mouth for breathing and, together with cheeks, help you speak. They also keep food and saliva in your mouth while chewing. Ultimately, these strong muscles guide and keep your teeth in their proper positions.

To read the entire article by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com

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