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Dec 11 Comments Off

Calcium strengthens your teeth and bones

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

Calcium is one of the most important and abundant minerals in the body. It is the building blocks for teeth and bones. Healthy teeth and bones require lots of calcium. It also plays a key role in many other functions of the body: clotting of blood, nerve impulses and contraction and relaxation of muscles and blood vessels, as well as regulation of bodily fluids, including hormones and enzymes. In fact, calcium is so important that your body has a feedback system to keep the amount of calcium in the body at a constant level. When the blood and body functions need more calcium, it is retrieved from your bones, where calcium is stored. Your body cannot produce calcium itself, so the only way to get enough is by eating calcium-rich foods. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet, it can weaken your bones, which increases the risk of bone fractures later in life. Likewise, it affects your teeth if you do not get enough calcium. Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese, are good sources of calcium. Other sources are calcium-enriched soy milk and orange juice, sardines, soybeans, dried figs, bok choy, broccoli and turnips.

Dec 03 Comments Off

Are you a smoker? So keep an eye on your gums

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

Few people give their gums any thought when they light a cigarette. The vast majority of people know that smoking is harmful to health and especially to the lungs, but it is less known that smoking also affects the gums. A Japanese study published in the Journal of Periodontology revealed that smoking is the lifestyle factor that increases the risk of periodontal diseases the most. This is because smoking affects the immune system, and it makes the gums more susceptible to infections. Periodontitis is infections of the tissue that supports the teeth. The disease develops in two stages, first gingivitis and then periodontitis. The symptoms of periodontitis are:

Red and swollen gums
Gums that bleed easily
Gums that detach
Teeth that become loose
Chronic bad breath

Nov 26 Comments Off

Does your medication make your mouth dry?

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

It sounds harmless, but dry mouth can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Many common medications such as blood pressure medication, antidepressants, incontinence medication and painkillers can dry out your mouth. So can treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy to the head and neck. Dry mouth occurs when the saliva-producing glands in the mouth do not function properly. Your saliva helps defend your mouth against periodontal disease and tooth decay. It reduces bacterial levels in the mouth and contains minerals that help renew the surface of the teeth. Saliva contains enzymes and minerals that keep teeth strong and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment in the mouth. Without sufficient saliva secretion, tooth decay and gum disease are more likely to occur.

Nov 18 Comments Off

Did you know that your dentist can diagnose diabetes?

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

Many of the early symptoms of diabetes are hidden, making it difficult to diagnose. In fact, it is estimated that around a third of people with diabetes have not yet been diagnosed with the disease. But the dentist can help! This is because diabetic patients have high levels of glucose, which means they will often have problems with their teeth and gums. Typical problems for diabetic patients are:

Sore and/or loose teeth
Mouth ulcers
Dry mouth
Tooth decay

Diabetes patients who are in control of their disease are less likely to have the above problems. Therefore, by looking at your dental and oral problems early on, your dentist can diagnose diabetes.

Oct 22 Comments Off

Did you know that your dentist can check you for oral cancer?

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

When your dentist performs a normal dental examination, your dentist will typically also look for various signs of disease. Oral cancer often begins as small sores or small red or white patches. A dentist is good at identifying these and other signs of cancer. The dentist will be able to perform a complete screening within a few minutes. The dentist looks at the following areas:

Face, neck, lips and mouth
Jaw and throat
Your tongue
Upper and lower oral cavity

Some wounds and stains are harmless, others are not. Through a test, the dentist can remove cells from suspicious areas and have them further analysed. Oral cancer can be more easily treated and cured if detected early.

Oct 15 Comments Off

Did you know that dental diseases increase the risk of heart diseases?

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

Recent research shows that periodontitis caused by poor oral hygiene not only leads to tooth loss, but can also cause heart disease and stroke. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with gum diseases have almost twice the risk of heart diseases as those without. Gum infections are also more common in people who suffer different types of strokes. It is not known exactly why and how gum disease affects the health of your heart. But one theory is that bacteria from the infected gums can enter your bloodstream and connect with the fatty acids in your heart. So there is every reason to take good care of your gums.

Oct 08 Comments Off

Do you suffer from bad breath? Then you can get help here.

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

Bad breath can be both embarrassing and humiliating. Fortunately, there are several things you can do if you suffer from bad breath. First of all, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene. If you do not brush your teeth and floss daily, small bits of food will settle between your teeth. This will attract bacteria that lead to bad breath. Similarly, small bits of food in the teeth and on the tongue will rot and cause bad breath. We therefore recommend that you:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste containing fluoride.
Floss to clean between your teeth.

Contact your dentist if you constantly need to rinse your mouth. Mouthwash does not have a long-lasting effect.

Oct 01 Comments Off

Do you have swollen, red or bleeding gums?

Posted by Dansk Tandforsikring

If you have swollen, red or bleeding gums, then it may be the beginning of periodontitis. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that occurs under and along the gums. If the harmful bacteria are not removed, they will multiply quickly and damage your tissue. In the worst case, the bacteria might break down your gums and the bone structure that holds your teeth. Eventually, your teeth will fall out. Fortunately, there are many things you can do yourself to minimise and prevent the risk of periodontitis.

Brush your teeth gently and at least twice a day paying special attention to the gums. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
Use floss at least once a day between your teeth. Dental floss is the only way that you can clean out impurities between your teeth.
Regularly go to the dentist, at least once a year.
Eat a healthy and nutritious diet.

Avoid tobacco products.

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