Cold and flu season is certainly upon us. When you have a cold or the flu, taking care of your body is your top priority, and that includes your mouth. Here are some simple ways to care for your dental health when you’re not feeling well: Practice Good Hygiene When you’re sick, you know to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Don’t forget to keep up your dental and toothbrush hygiene as well. According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours. Never share your toothbrush anytime, but especially when you are sick. Choose Sugar-Free Cough Drops Read the label before you pick up a bag at the drug store. Avoid products that contain ingredients like fructose or corn syrup. Many cough drops contain sugar, and that is equivalent to sucking on hard candy. Sugar is a culprit when it comes to cavities. The longer you keep a sugary cough drop in your mouth, the more time cavity-causing bacteria has to feast on that sugar, which produces the acid that can leave holes in your teeth. Swish and Spit After Vomiting One unfortunate side effect of a stomach flu, among other illnesses, is vomiting. You might be tempted to brush your teeth right away, but it’s better to wait. When you vomit, stomach acids are coating your teeth. If you brush too soon, you’re rubbing that acid all over the hard enamel of your teeth. Instead of brushing, swish with water, a diluted mouth rinse or a mixture of water and 1 tsp. baking soda to help wash the acid away. Stay Hydrated to Avoid Dry Mouth When you’re sick, you need plenty of fluids for many reasons. One is to prevent dry mouth. Not only is it uncomfortable, dry mouth also puts you at greater risk for cavities. The medications you might be taking for a cold or flu, such as antihistamines, decongestants or pain relievers can also dry out your mouth. Drink plenty of water and suck on sugarless cough drops, throat lozenges or candies to keep that saliva flowing. Choose the Right Fluids When it comes to your mouth and your body, one beverage is always best. The safest thing to drink is water! Sports drinks might be recommended to replenish electrolytes when you’re sick but drink them in moderation and don’t make them a habit after you’ve recovered because unless they are a sugar-free version, they contain a lot of sugar.

Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and a chance to build a stockpile of sweets for the winter. No surprise, Halloween can also present parents with a variety of health and safety challenges. Here’s how you can help your family stay mouth healthy on Halloween and year-round. Time It Right Eat Halloween candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. Salvia production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles. Stay Away from Sweet Snacks Snacking can increase your risk of cavities, and it’s double the trouble if you keep grabbing sugary treats from the candy bowl. Choose Candy Carefully Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. Aside from how often your snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay. Avoid Sticky Situations Sticky candies cling to your teeth. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Have a Plan It’s tempting to keep that candy around, but your teeth will thank you if you limit your stash. Have your family pick their favorites and donate the rest. Dr. Horton has been collecting sweet treats for our troops for five consecutive years, so you can donate directly to our office! Drink More Water Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated. Brush Twice a Day and Clean Between Your Teeth Brush twice a day for two minutes with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Floss your teeth once a day. Decay causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early.

Getting oil changes, stopping for gas and going through the car wash are the things you do without a second thought to keep your car in tip-top shape. So what are you doing for your teeth? Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to taking care of the things you depend on most. Get the most mileage out of your mouth by using these strategies in your dental care routine. Watch What Gets in Your Grill A grill on a car keeps harmful things from getting under the hood. Think of your own grill as a filter system for your entire body. Everybody’s mouth is full of germs….some good, some bad. The bad ones can cause cavities and gum disease , which can lead to tooth loss. Severe gum disease is also associated with other medical problems, like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke . Keep Your Fuel Tank Full You wouldn’t put just anything in your fuel tank, so be aware of what you’re putting in your mouth. Keep your engine running with a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Practice Preventative Maintenance Your car won’t get very far without fresh oil and proper tire pressure. Your teeth also need regular care. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy. Get a Tune Up Taking your car in for a tune up can extend the life of your vehicle and catch small repairs before they turn into big fixes. Regular visits to your dentist and good dental habits can prevent many dental diseases and will keep you smiling for years to come.

Annual Horton Leadership Award

There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral and oropharyngeal cancer. One is through the use of alcohol and tobacco, and the other is through the exposure to the HPV (human papilloma virus.) This is the same virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. If you have HPV, you are 30 times more likely to get oral cancer. This is why everyone should perform an oral cancer screening each month. Please click the link for more information on how you can perform your monthly self exam. https://www.aaoms.org/media/raise-oral-cancer-awareness/videos What are the symptoms of oral cancer?  Sore or irritation that doesn’t go away Red or white patches A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth How your dentist can help detect oral cancer: During your exam, your dentist evaluates changes in your medical history and whether you’ve been having any new or unusual symptoms. Then, your dentist will check your oral cavity. This includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, the front part of your tongue, the floor of your mouth, which includes the underside of your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. What happens if my dentist finds something suspicious? Your dentist won’t be able to tell right away if what he is looking at is cancerous, so he may refer you for testing. Together, you and your dentist can create the best strategy for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

As I was riding to work last week I heard on the radio that over 120 million adults suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. I had to assume most of the 120 million adults were over fifty years of age, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. This story grabbed my attention because I’m turning 55 this year. It makes me more aware of my need to monitor my own blood pressure. Steps I’m taking to increase my chances for healthier lifestyle are; lowering my salt intake and eat a more healthy plant based diet (minimize foods that come from a box.) Exercise to control my blood pressure (take daily walks.) As a dentist, it’s important to remind you that your gum health is linked to your overall health. Studies have shown that the buildup of bacteria below the gums can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. This can cause secondary infections or contribute to diseases already in progress. Bacteria from your gums can affect your body in the following ways: Immune System – the bacteria from gum disease can trigger other inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, and cause arteries to swell. Respiratory System – the bacteria from gums disease adheres to saliva droplets that you inhale. You can actually breathe in the bacteria every time you inhale. This can cause pulmonary infections and respiratory problems. Blood Sugar – gum disease increases blood sugar levels and makes diabetes harder to control. My challenge to you….Visit your dentist regularly and brush & floss every day.

Are you avoiding the dental chair due to anxiety or fear of pain? If your answer is yes, you are not alone! Many patients avoid the dental office at all costs due to anxiety or fear. Laughing gas is completely safe when administered by a professional. There’s a reason why nitrous oxide has been a popular anesthetic for so long. Inhalation of the gas is perfectly safe and has no impact on the brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, or liver. This is a benefit to the patient because once the nitrous oxide is terminated and he or she is placed on 100% oxygen at the end of the procedure, the patient is restored to his or her normal state of consciousness and can resume daily activities. Laughing gas is easily administered. If you’re afraid of needles, you’re in luck! Nitrous oxide does not require an injection for administration. Instead, laughing gas is diffused through a mask, where the anesthetic is absorbed through the lungs. Once it is inhaled, the patient will be more relaxed in the dental chair. This helps alleviate the anxiety of receiving the local anesthetic injection to numb the areas being treated. This results in a comfortable, pain free, and anxiety free dental visit! Patient selection A few contraindications for nitrous oxide sedation are pregnant women in the first trimester, patients suffering from COPD, patients with upper respiratory tract infections and middle ear disturbances, patients suffering from psychological disturbances, and current or recovering drug addictions.

My colleague and friend, Dr. Steven Guelff lost his beloved wife Lori January 12th to esophageal cancer. Lori battled cancer with tenacity and grace with Steve right by her side in support. I stopped by to see Steve at his orthodontic office last Friday. My intention was to reach out to him to lift him up. However, it was Steve who lifted my spirits! He shared his testimony of how the Lord put special people in his life during the process of caring for Lori while being treated for cancer. He shared how he felt led by the Spirit to make certain decisions with clarity and comfort during this time. On Saturday, I enjoyed my daughter’s first tournament of the 2019 travel volleyball season in Saint Helen near Deltona, Florida. These tournaments are often 15 hour days due to travel time, play time, and fellowship time. It’s the fellowship time with other parents that I truly enjoy the most. I got to catch up with my friend Joseph Bullington, who recently purchased an Allstate Insurance Agency in Winter Haven. I truly enjoyed our back and forth banter about life, business, and family. Best of luck in this new endeavor, Joseph. I know you’ll do well! While at the volleyball tournament, I was also able to catch up with Isaac Durrance, who was there with his daughter. Isaac is our newly elected school board member from the Avon Park district. He shared a little about what’s involved with running an election campaign. We briefly chatted about young daughters and their boyfriends, and the important role dads have regarding setting up dating guidelines. Lastly, it was refreshing and uplifting to see Lena’s volleyball coach, Chris Doty lead their team in such a positive manner. They won Gold with only one lost set the whole day, it was a truly enjoyable day!