Maintaining a Healthy Summer Smile: Tips to Keep Your Oral Health in Good Standing

During this season of summer celebrations, the Aspen Dental network of dental practices is reminding patients to keep a serious health issue top-of-mind: the importance of maintaining good oral health care habits.

“Between barbeques and amusement park fare, summertime eating can be synonymous with sugary, sticky foods and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay if patients don’t practice good oral care,” said Maureen Howes, RDH, MS, director of hygiene services at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “Maintaining your oral health at home and getting regular care is essential to help prevent dental problems.”

Since enjoying the occasional s’more or other sweet snack is part of the American tradition, Howes reminds patients to brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, which helps remove food and plaque. You should also floss to remove plaque between teeth and below the gum line where your toothbrush can’t reach.

If you’re not able to brush your teeth immediately after consuming a sugary food or drink, rinse your mouth with water to help wash it away.

Another tip is to minimize snacking, which creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints. In addition to soda, other beverages that may be high in sugar are certain juices and sports drinks — check the label to see how much sugar you’re drinking.

Advice for Denture Wearers

For the nearly 50 million Americans who wear dentures, following a good oral care routine is just as important. Denture-wearers should clean their gums to avoid plaque build-up that can irritate the tissue under dentures, and thoroughly clean dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth.

And if your dentures no longer fit as well as they once did, consult your dentist about an adjustment or replacement — the tissues in the mouth change over time, and bone and gum ridges shrink, which can result in ill-fitting dentures that make eating uncomfortable or downright painful. While the American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced every five to seven years, many people keep the same set of dentures for much longer.

One sign that it might be time for a replacement is the overuse denture adhesive cream. If you are using more than one tube of denture cream every three weeks, your dentures may not fit properly and should be evaluated. Visit your dentist to see if they need to be adjusted.

About Aspen Dental
One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 250 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com : www.aspendent.com/ . To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com. : www.aspendentaljobs.com./

Delaying Dental Care Can Prove Costly

Practicing good oral hygiene and receiving regular dental exams are critical to good oral health, yet many Aspen Dental dentists report that patients continue to delay care, a decision that can prove costly down the road.

“The current economic environment has forced many Americans to delay seeking dental care, cutting back on everything from cleanings to dentures to treatment of gum disease,” said Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “Considering the link between gum disease and certain health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and stroke, patients should try to make regular visits to the dentist just as much of a priority as regular visits to their primary care physician.”

Adds Dr. Judge, “Ultimately, seeking preventative care and taking care of small dental problems before they become big problems pays off.”

According to a report by Oral Health America, early dental treatment is cost effective. In fact, the cost of providing preventive dental treatment is estimated to be 10 times less than the cost of managing symptoms of dental disease in a hospital emergency room. Moreover, the report notes that improving oral health by multiple preventative approaches, including periodontal (gum) disease management, saves more than $4 billion per year in treatment costs.

Advice for Denture Patients

Regular oral care is just as important for the nearly 50 million Americans who wear full or partial dentures. Even patients who have no natural teeth should have their mouth examined annually not only for signs of oral cancer, but also for proper denture fit. The tissues in the mouth change over time, and bone and gum ridges shrink, which can result in ill-fitting dentures that make eating uncomfortable or downright painful. While the American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced every five to seven years, many people keep the same set of dentures for much longer.

Another key concern for people with dentures is the use of denture adhesives. While adhesives can help dentures feel more stable and secure, long-term excessive use can potentially pose health risks. Patients should closely follow labeling instructions for denture adhesive products. If dentures feel loose or cause discomfort, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible about an adjustment or replacement.

Making Dental Care Accessible

Doctors and staff at Aspen Dental work to help break down the barriers that keep patients from getting the oral care they need, offering convenient locations, extended hours including select Saturdays, affordable fees, and a wide range of flexible payment plan options. Aspen Dental practices work with all insurance plans.  Walk-in patients and those with emergencies are welcome.

To help encourage patients to take the first step toward good oral health, Aspen Dental offers free new-patient exams to patients who do not have the benefit of insurance; free denture consultations for all denture patients; special promotions and senior discounts. Patients can learn about what to expect during their first visit to Aspen Dental at www.aspendent.com/appointment.first.visit.html.

To make an appointment, call 800-ASPEN DENTAL or visit www.aspendent.com to schedule online.

About Aspen Dental

One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of denture and dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care under the Aspen Dental brand.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 250 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental practices and services, please visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.