November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect  your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health. Change in Taste  Your favorite flavors might not taste as rich as your remember if you have diabetes. It can be disappointing, but take the opportunity to experiment with different tastes, textures and spices to your favorite foods. Just take care not to add too much sugar to your food in an effort to add flavor. Not only can this affect the quality of your diet, it can also lead to more cavities. If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor. Infections  Diabetes affects your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. One common among people with diabetes is a yeast infection called oral thrush (candidiasis). The yeast thrive on the higher amount of sugar found in your saliva, and it looks lik

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about antibiotics and your heart. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Cox Family Dentistry      James T. Cox, III, DMD      Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD      101 Perpetual Square Drive    Anderson, SC 29621     (864) 226-4300     CoxFamilyDentistrySC.com  

Dentistry Without Drills or Needles? Can you imagine going to the dentist and never feeling a drill or suffering the pinch of that dreaded needle? One of the most remarkable advances in modern dentistry is called air abrasion. Unlike a traditional drill, this tool aims a stream of small particles and air at the region of decay and gently sprays it away! Many patients need little or no anesthesia for this procedure. The sound and vibrations of the drill have vanished – and so has most of the pain! For many procedures, it’s good-bye needles, good-bye drill! Cox Family Dentistry      James T. Cox, III, DMD      Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD      101 Perpetual Square Drive    Anderson, SC 29621     (864) 226-4300     CoxFamilyDentistrySC.com  

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month we are featuring information found on MouthHealthy.org that discuss how diabetes can affect  your dental health. Below are two ways that diabetes can affect your oral health. Gum Disease  Notice some bleeding when you brush or floss? That may be an early sign of gum disease . If it becomes more severe, the bone that supports your teeth can break down, leading to tooth loss. Early gum disease can be reversed with proper brushing , flossing and diet . Research has shown gum disease can worsen if your blood sugar is not under control, so do your best to keep it in check. Dry Mouth  Studies have found people with diabetes have less saliva, so you might find yourself feeling parched or extra thirsty. (Medications and higher blood sugar levels are also causes.) Fight dry mouth by drinking water. You can also chew sugarless gum and eat healthy, crunchy foods to get saliva flowing. This is especially important because e

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about power toothbrushes. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Cox Family Dentistry      James T. Cox, III, DMD      Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD      101 Perpetual Square Drive    Anderson, SC 29621     (864) 226-4300     CoxFamilyDentistrySC.com  

What is Wellness Dentistry? The best course to retain your good health is not to get ill in the first place. To the degree that your good health is determined by shunning bad habits and fixing issues when they are small, it is possible to avert high-risk health factors. That’s what we call “Wellness Care.” And that’s just what we promote in our dental practice. We can unquestionably get your teeth and gums healthy and remedy any damage just like any dental office can. But we take it a step further and show you how to avoid dental issues before they become huge problems.  We start with a detailed examination. Most of our patients state they’ve never experienced such an exhaustive examination of their gums or teeth. We study your bite and how your teeth fit together, we check for oral cancer, gum disease, signs of wear on your teeth, and any indicators of problems that you might encounter later. We want to halt issues in their tracks, making your teeth and gums healthier so you will sp

Learn what the American Dental Association has to about risks to your oral health during pregnancy. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Cox Family Dentistry      James T. Cox, III, DMD      Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD      101 Perpetual Square Drive    Anderson, SC 29621     (864) 226-4300     CoxFamilyDentistrySC.com  

A Lifetime Foundation of Good Habits Dr. Cox and Dr. Kunkel share your goals for preserving your child’s outstanding health. We want to help them learn proper dental care from the beginning and foster a lifetime foundation of strong dental habits. There are many factors that contribute to your child’s teeth being vulnerable to cavities from a very young age. Little kids often don’t have the dexterity to brush correctly on their own. Because of this, it is imperative for parents to assist in their child’s daily hygiene. This encourages both good cleaning and the development of appropriate dental habits. Poorly cleaned teeth are more likely to decay when exposed to food and juice acids. Small children tend to eat constantly throughout the day. This type of extended exposure to food acids often results in more cavities.  The good news is that recognizing poor dietary and hygiene habits, along with employing a fluoride varnish to the mineralizing teeth, can drastically reduce the odds of

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org With Halloween comes ghosts, goblins and goodies-and the sugar in those treats can play some unwanted tricks on your teeth if you’re not careful.  Here’s why: The bacteria in your mouth are probably more excited to eat Halloween candy than you are. When the bacteria eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth, a weak acid is produced. That acid is what can contribute to cavities.  But don’t hang up your costume just yet. “Halloween is about candy, dressing up and having fun,” says ADA dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty. “It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween as a splurge as long as you’re brushing twice a day and flossing once a day all year long.” To help you sort through the trick-or-treat bag loot, we have a rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth: Chocolate Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also one of the most popular kinds of candy handed out on Hallo