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Let Your Smile Enjoy the Day | Ottawa Dentist

It’s springtime – the sun is finally breaking through the winter clouds and shining lots of vitamin D love down on us! Have you gone out and enjoyed the day? You really should. Not only does getting some exercise improve your overall health, but it can also improve your dental health as well.

We all know that it’s important to keep fit in order to maintain a healthy life and body. So, we take ourselves to the gym or the great outdoors in order to get some type of workout done. And this is great – regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, hypertension and many other health conditions. But Dentistry News published a study done by Case Western Reserve University that shows it also reduces the risk of periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum condition that not only causes tooth loss but afflicts one-third of our population. And in this study, the individuals who maintained a healthy lifestyle reduced their risk by 40%. Quite the decrease made simply by subtle changes in their lifestyles. Regular exercise and a healthy diet aren’t the only ways to prevent gum disease – those who were non-smokers increased their chances of prevention even higher.

When considering how much exercise is required, it really depends on you. This case study suggested five or more moderate activities or three intensive activities a week was the minimum. What you choose to do is entirely up to you, so enjoy yourself.

It could beg to say that if you have a healthy lifestyle, you take the time to care for all aspects of yourself, including your dental health. Make those subtle lifestyle changes and watch your dental visits improve.

If you would like more information about gum disease, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Protect Your Teeth with Wine? | Ottawa Dentist

Here we are – a brand-new year and a chance to start over. We have our resolutions in place and have begun this year healthier and stronger than previous years. If a diet is on your list of self-improvements for 2019, you are upset that drinking is no longer on the table for you. But what if we told you that red wine can help improve your smile? Would it make you reconsider? Well, good news – it’s true. A recent study conducted by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has proven that drinking red wine can protect your smile and here is why:

Researchers in Spain have discovered that red wine has a micronutrient called polyphenol in it that reduces the ability for bacteria to settle into your teeth and gums, causing plaque, cavities and gum disease.

Before you decide on plans to build a wine cellar in your home, please realize that there are still downfalls to drinking red wine. Red wine will cause your teeth to stain and this is a well-known fact. Not only that, but it is also an acidic beverage, so overconsumption can lead to the erosion of your teeth’s enamel. Enjoy your wine in moderation and with a meal to ensure that the least amount of damage can be inflicted upon your teeth while giving them that protective micronutrient at the same time.

Start the year off on the right foot. And if that means enjoying your red wine, just make sure to practice regular dental hygiene in order keep that smile bright the all year ‘round.

If you would like more information about the effects of wine, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Long in the Tooth Isn’t Just a Saying | Ottawa Dentist

Have you ever heard of the saying, you’re getting “long in the tooth”? While it doesn’t sound like a very nice thing to say to someone getting older, there is a lot of truth to it. As we hit our forties, our gums will naturally begin to recede. And depending on how well you take care of your smile, this may become an issue. Not only do receding gums look unattractive, but there are plenty of health issues that can arise if left untreated. Since knowledge is the key to prevention, let’s take a look at the main reasons your gums may be receding:

Gum disease. The main reason you may begin to develop gum recession is due to gum disease. If proper dental hygiene isn’t practiced, bacteria will invade the gumline and attack the connective tissues, causing your gums to bleed, become swollen and detach from your tooth. Unfortunately, only your dentist can diagnose this so keeping your appointments is actually really necessary.

Poor dental hygiene. This may sound redundant, but this isn’t the same point. Not only is daily dental hygiene important, but the techniques you use are important as well. If you think brushing aggressively is getting your teeth cleaner, you are incorrect. In fact, it’s the opposite. Treat your mouth with kindness. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle and brush your teeth in a circular motion, making sure to get all areas in your mouth.

No one wants to have trouble with their teeth but a lot of the dental problems we face are our own doing. Take care of your teeth and they’ll take care of you.

If you would like more information about receding gums, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.