Smoking does not only affect your general health and put you at risk for serious illness – it also affects your oral health.
 

Besides staining teeth, smoking increases your risk for periodontal (gum) disease, and increases the complications experienced after dental surgery, such as extractions, gum surgery and dental implants. Lastly, smoking significantly increases your risk of developing oral cancer.
 

Our dentists are thorough in checking for signs of oral cancer during every checkup; our dental professionals can assist you and direct you if you decide to quit smoking.

Diabetes affects more than 6% of our population and is considered to be a modern medical epidemic. Because diabetics heal slower and poorer than non-diabetics, they are more prone to developing infections and less capable to fight them.
 

Current research shows that maintenance of good oral health in diabetics (through regular checkups and cleanings) can have a significant effect on lowering blood sugar levels; and vice-versa – poor oral hygiene can deteriorate your blood sugar levels.
 

Our dentists will be glad to discuss a treatment plan that will be complementary and beneficial to your overall health.

Current research shows a close relationship between cardiovascular health and oral health.

If you are currently being treated for a heart condition (high or low blood pressure, angina, arrhythmia) or have had a heart surgery (heart valve replacement, bypass surgery or stent placed) you should inform your dental professional of the condition/procedure.

In many cases, maintaining your oral health with regular checkups and cleanings can have a positive effect on your cardiovascular health.

Sugar is sweet and many people like it, including your dentist.
At Listowel Family Dental, we advise responsible sugar intake and do not condone its restriction.

Minimizing refined sugars in your diet will not only be beneficial to your health (lowers weight gain and chronic disease such as diabetes) but will lower your risk for getting cavities.

Sugars alone do not cause cavities: sugars with time cause cavities. As such, it is far better to indulge in brief sugary temptation than it is to enjoy the sweetness over an extended period of time. For example, a person who eats a donut in the morning has by far a lower risk for getting dental decay than the person who sips the double-double coffee for an hour.

Talk to our dental professionals for a complimentary caries risk analysis and develop a sugar reduction strategy that will not only improve your health but lower your risk for getting cavities.