Yeah, dental pain sucks! There’s also physical, heart, and soul pain – and it’s always worse at night. Your quality of life declines and suffers as your pain increases and becomes extreme (chronic).

Take the meds, have the periodontal surgery, talk to a trusted friend, get therapy, see a specialist, bite the brownie, scoop the ice cream; do whatever it takes it takes to heal yourself.

This is the time to spend money before it’s too late and pain becomes your life. This is the only time to go into debt if you must.

I experienced extreme neck and left shoulder pain in January and February – and I’m left-handed so I’ve been unable to blog. I’m working on it and I want you to work on it, too.

I’m not abandoning  my blog. I have much to share and I hope to back soon. I’d love to hear how you overcame your pain.

What I know for sure is that its all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Your body has natural defensive barriers. Healthy gum tissue is one of those barriers.

In his article, “Are my bad teeth killing me?” Dr. Robert O. Nara wrote that bacteria that live in periodontal pockets are “festering cesspools” of trouble.

If someone with a heart defect contracts a bacterial infection through unhealthy gum tissue, it can travel to his or her heart and cause serious, sometime fatal, problems.

You can read Dr. Nara’s complete article here: http://mizar5.com/killing.htm [Read more →]

Yes. Two years ago in October I had periodontal laser surgery. I had it again this October. My periodontist and I thought my teeth would be fine because I vigilantly brush and floss regularly and get my teeth cleaned every three months.

I write my truth, so I have to tell you that I have a weak spot involving three teeth and the dreaded periodontal disease flared up again in the exact same spot. It’s been 12 days since my surgery and I’m still on soft food so I’m a bit cranky. The next step? Provisional splinting (bonding). I’ll do the research before I  get the procedure and let you know how that goes in a couple of months. It costs $100.00 a tooth.

I’m feeling a bit defeated, but I will not give up and I don’t want you to give up either if you’re experiencing gum disease. Leave a comment and let me know what your problems are and how or if you’re solving them. [Read more →]

There are enough studies to prove that apples are a whole-body benefit fruit that lowers blood cholesterol, protects your teeth from bacteria and plaque, improves bowel function, reduces risk of stroke, prostrate cancer, type II diabetes, and asthma.

1. Apples contain tannins,  nutrients that can protect your teeth against plaque and gum disease. Eating an apple can help clean bacteria from your teeth.
2. Chewing apples help stimulate your saliva production that kills bacteria and helps prevent tooth decay.
3. Apples are a good source of boron, associated with improved bone density and a stronger heart.  Their high folic acid content has a protective benefit for your heart. [Read more →]

Who doesn’t like Halloween candy? Your teeth and your body hate it, your dentist loves it. America’s annual Halloween sugar festival tab is almost $2 billion.

This year give healthy Halloween treats. Be prepared to duck if the kids throw them back at you.

1. Edible treats include mini-packs of chips, pretzels, goldfish crackers, cereal bars, nuts, cheese crackers, and trail mix; all safer alternatives than pure sugar hard candies and candy bars.
2. Sugar-free gum is a healthy choice, just not for toddlers.
3. Vampire teeth, wax lips, small containers of bubbles, small cans of playdoh, plastic sunglasses, pencils, notepads, temporary tattoos, and stickers are fun treats. They still make those, right?
4. Tell the kids you want to see a trick before giving them treats. It’s a lost “trick or treat” tradition.

Refined sugar in candy wreaks havoc with you and your kid’s energy levels, causing mood swings, stress, and fatigue. Too much sugar from candy can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, headaches, digestive disorders, a malfunctioning immune system, Type 2 diabetes, and childhood obesity. [Read more →]

Pineapple is a golden yellow, sweet, juicy, luscious, tropical fruit that has an ample supply of Vitamin C, which is good for your gums.

A study conducted at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

1. Vitamin C increases increases the body’s ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease.
2. Vitamin C is the antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system.
3. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing.
4. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen.
5. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones.

Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Fresh pineapples are available now. Enjoy.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Dr. Sanjay Gupta says, “…having chronic periodontal or gum disease is like living with a low-grade infection that can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and some kinds of cancer.”

For every person who does not have health insurance, there are two people who do not have dental insurance.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Redheads may be hotheads, but we get colder quicker, bruise more easily, and feel more pain, including sensitivity to tooth pain, teeth cleaning, and periodontal surgery.

1.  A study by researchers at the University of Louisville found that redheads require 20% more anesthesia than dark-haired women. The studies were done on women only whose menstrual cycles were in sync because hormone increases can play a role in susceptibility to anesthesia.

2.  Another study found that redheads are more than twice as likely as women with other hair colors to fear and avoid the dentist.  Aaaak!

3.  A 2004 study showed that redheaded men and women alike require more anesthesia than their counterparts. Studies show evidence that pain pathways differ between men and women. [Read more →]

36% of the people polled skipped dental care or checkups in the past 12 months.

The Poll: Care-Cost Consequences

The Question: In the past 12 months, because of the cost, did you or a family member in your home do any of the following?

The Answers:

42% Relied on home remedies or over-the-counter drugs rather than go see a doctor.
36% Skipped dental care or checkups.
33% Put off or postponed needed health care.
29% Did not fill a prescription for a medicine.
27% Skipped recommended medical treatment.
18% Cut pills in half or skipped medicine.
8% Had problems getting mental health care.

I don’t how know how many people were polled in the Kaiser Family Foundation Poll, April 2009, but I have seen similar statistics in recent years. I was not one of the people polled. Were you?

This is the year of health care reform. Take action to have your voice heard!Contact your elected officials or become involved in the health care reform effort at http://www.healthactionnow.org/ or call 1-866-227-7449.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

1. I brush my teeth every morning and every night.
2. I floss at least twice a day.
3. Of course, I took all of my antibiotics.

Don’t bother lying. Your dental hygienist will know if you’re not brushing and flossing or taking prescribed antibiotics. You will be poked, prodded, and measured during every visit.

More importantly, don’t lie to yourself and risk gum disease and tooth loss.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/ for your Free Tips.