Healthy Smiles Family Dental

Did you know that good oral health could protect you from Alzheimer’s disease? That’s the conclusion of break-through scientific studies published in the last year. We provide patients with regular cleanings at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, but we hope our patients will come see us whenever they notice the signs of gingivitis. The bacteria that cause it could become a big problem. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a species of bacteria that causes gum disease. It excretes toxins called gingipains as a means of defending itself against white blood cells. These toxins are common, but are found in especially high levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Testing on animals confirmed that the gingipains from oral bacteria that affects their species trigger the production of neural plaque. Another study found that P. gingivalis is able to travel from the mouth to the brain in humans. Scientists caution that gum disease is probably not the ...

Cleaning your teeth and gums is important, but what about your tongue? Your tongue is often ignored in your daily dental routine. That’s why Drs. Na Xu and Mark Thomas of Healthy Smiles Family Dental recommend Tongue Cleaners/Scrapers. These cleaning apparatuses are sold at most supermarkets and grocery stores. Use them to scrape bacteria and coatings off of your tongue. To learn more, contact our office in Salem, OR.   Tongue cleaners are an inexpensive and critical investment. They’re easy to buy and use! Start off by placing the tongue cleaner at the back of your tongue. Slowly scrape it forward down the tongue. Rinse off the device after every full rotation. Clean out your mouth too. Do this for as many times as necessary.   The main benefit of using a tongue cleaner is removing tongue coatings. A coating on your tongue can be caused by yeast infections, dry mouth, smoking, medications, and poor oral hygiene. Dead cells and bacteria make up the coating. Removing the coating improve...

Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. Only by using mouthwash can you fully clean certain areas of your mouth. Not only does it eliminate bad breath, but it keeps your mouth healthy! Drs. Na Xu and Mark Thomas of Healthy Smiles Family Dental recommend mouthwash not as a replacement for brushing and flossing, but as a supplement. Contact our office in Salem, OR, to learn more dental health tips.   Mouthwash comes in two types: therapeutic and cosmetic. Cosmetic is used for getting rid of and preventing bad breath. Therapeutic provides benefits in combating gingivitis, cavities, and plaque buildup. Each mouthwash has its own added bonuses, so pay attention to the packaging when buying.   Follow these general mouthwash use instructions: -Pour the recommended dosage into your mouth. -Vigorously swish the mouthwash around your closed mouth. Try to be thorough, reaching every area. Do this for around 30 seconds. -Spit into the sink when done. Never swallow the mouthwash...