Thomas A. Gromling, DDS Blog

As you age, your risk for certain illnesses increases. Thankfully, modern medicine has uncovered many ways to help decrease it and improve your quality of life. For example, you can lower your odds of developing skin cancer by wearing SPF or help prevent cardiovascular disease by exercising and eating a healthy diet. But did you know you can also slash your risk of periodontal disease? Here are a few habits and genetic predispositions that could be putting your mouth in jeopardy, and what you can do about it.

Do you always seem to be suffering from some sort of allergy or sinus infection? Is snoring keeping you up at night? You could be mouth-breathing. This might not seem like a pressing problem, but professionals have linked serious negative effects to this condition. Mouth-breathing can even affect your oral health!

Fortunately, this means that there is something you can do to alleviate your symptoms. Keep reading to learn how your dentist can help.

You probably already know that brushing and flossing twice daily is key to preventing dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. It consistently removes harmful plaque and bacteria buildup that cause problems.

However, even if you diligently stick to your at-home hygiene regimen, it’s important to also visit your dentist every 6 months for a checkup and cleaning. It allows them to track your oral condition so they can quickly spot any areas of concern and address them before they progress.

Continue reading to learn 3 of the benefits of keeping up with routine checkups!

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know a good night’s rest can be difficult to come by. Managing your symptoms is essential for keeping your airways open to stop breathing disturbances, so you can sleep peacefully. However, certain mistakes can worsen your symptoms. Here are 5 factors that can influence breathing disruptions.

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Everyone hates the feeling of food being stuck between your teeth. In addition to it being uncomfortable, it can be visible to others, resulting in embarrassment. However, some foods are more harmful when stuck between the teeth than others. It can take a toll on your oral health, resulting in cavities and other issues. Continue reading to learn which foods are the worst to be stuck between your teeth.

The priority of your dentist is to help you maintain excellent oral health. However, your general health and your dental health go hand-in-hand, so there is some information about you that they should be aware of. It’s important that you are open with them about certain health conditions and other factors. Continue reading to learn which health factors you should bring up during your next checkup.

Have you ever woken up in the morning after a full night’s sleep just to feel drained and exhausted? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea refers to a condition in which your airways become blocked or obstructed during the night. This causes your breathing to stop and restart which interrupts your sleep cycle.

Not only does this leave you feeling tired throughout the day, but it also contributes to health issues. When your body doesn’t get sufficient rest, it can’t restore itself and your immune system suffers. As a result, you could develop health conditions like gum disease.

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between sleep apnea and your oral health so you can prevent periodontal problems!

Chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals, watches, and ties are all common smash-hit Valentine’s Day gifts. However, if you want to wow your partner this year, you might need to go a less traditional route. In that case, why not try to give them dentist-approved gifts to keep their smile pristine and kissable?

If you don’t know what to get in that particular category, continue reading. You’ll find a great shortlist of gifts to keep your partner’s oral health strong and bright.

Brace yourselves for breaking news! In a recent study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, a concerning discovery has been made in the realm of oral health. Researchers found a new bacterium that causes tooth decay. Meet Selenomonas sputigena, a strain of bacteria that works well with others, causing cavities. If you want to learn more about this dastardly foe and how your dentist can help continue reading.

If you’re like many people, you may not make it to the dentist’s office for a checkup or cleaning as often as you should. It’s recommended by professionals that you visit your dentist for preventive care twice a year in order to preserve optimal oral health.

As it turns out, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to make the pilgrimage to the dentist’s office, particularly if you have insurance. Here’s why that is.