May 2019 – agast

How Oral Health Is Genetic During Early Child Development

28th May 2019 James Russell

You may already know the importance of maintaining good oral care habits such as regular brushing and flossing throughout your life, but is that really enough? Why do some people seem to have hit the jackpot in terms of healthy teeth and gums while others, in spite of their best efforts, are constantly struggling against tooth decay and gum disease? The answer, at least in part, lies in heredity.

MISALIGNED TEETH

If you needed braces as a teen or got them as an adult, the chances are excellent that you are not the only one in your family who did. That’s because your jaw size is dictated, at least in part, by your genetics. A look through your family photo albums might well reveal that one or more of your relatives had an overbite, underbite, crowding or gaps between their teeth that look a lot like yours did before you got orthodontic work done.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Even if you floss religiously and are scrupulous about brushing your teeth, you might still have reddened, sensitive gums that are prone to bleeding. This is a sign of gum disease, and you might have Mom or Dad to thank for this common but serious condition. Up to 30 percent of the population might have inherited a predisposition to gum disease, but that doesn’t mean you should live with it. Left untreated, it will ultimately lead to bad breath, infections and eventual loss of your teeth. Today’s oral care treatments are excellent at minimizing the progression of this disease.

CAVITIES

It is not your imagination that cavities run in families; there is actually a gene for that. Talk to your children’s dentist about fluoride treatments and sealants that can reduce their risk. For you and other adults in the family, inquire about prescription toothpastes and mouth rinses designed specially to fight tooth decay.

ORAL CANCER

Although this serious and sometimes fatal condition is usually associated with alcohol or tobacco use, it is also linked to heredity. If other members of your family have had oral cancer, minimize your risk by making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. In addition, be sure to ask your dentist to carefully examine your tongue and mouth at every visit so that you can address any symptoms as soon as they arise.

Maintaining robust oral health is a life’s journey. While you may be dealt … Read the rest

How Do I Find A Hearing Aid That Is Compatible To My Needs And Affordable

14th May 2019 James Russell

People who can’t see well seem to have no problem wearing glasses or contact lenses. Why then, you may ask, do men and women with hearing loss so often go without getting the devices that would improve their quality of life?

Perceptions About Hearing Aids

One myth about hearing aids is that wearing them enables you to totally regain all of the audiological functioning that you have lost. Upon hearing from acquaintances that using a hearing device did not totally restore the functioning of the person’s ears, some individuals simply choose to avoid trying them. The good news is that, despite the undeniable fact that they are not a perfect solution, hearing aids can enable most people to hear conversations better and cancel out the distracting background noise that can make social situations so difficult.

Stigma

Much more so than glasses, hearing aids are often associated with old age and a general decline in functioning. However, this makes people reluctant to embrace them. The unfortunate reality is that men and women are experiencing significant hearing loss earlier in life these days thanks to noisy environments and loud music.

Cost

One of the most significant barriers that people encounter when researching obtaining hearing aids for themselves or someone they love is the cost. Just one hearing device can cost several thousand dollars, particularly if it is a high-end model. The situation becomes even more challenging if a hearing aid is needed for both ears. Medicare does not cover any of the cost although some Medicare Advantage plans do. However, there are many options that you can explore that can assist in covering the expense of hearing aids if you are in financial need. The Veterans Administration, federal employees’ and private insurance, state vocational rehabilitation and numerous private charities have programs specifically designed to give Americans with hearing loss the assistive devices they need.

Fear of Being Conspicuous

In the past, hearing aids were almost impossible to miss. Furthermore, they often emitted piercing screeches whenever the wearer attempted to adjust the volume. For decades, this has prevented many people from using these audiological devices. In recent years, however, micro-technology has undergone a revolution. Many modern hearing aids are virtually invisible and now have a feature known as a feedback management system that minimizes or totally eliminates that squeal. Thanks to these … Read the rest