​ Many seniors undergo drastic changes throughout their lifetime, and it is only a matter of time before they experience severe tooth loss or pain. This could be due to a number of factors that could impact their oral health and well-being. One of the main reasons is the lack of proper oral care, but that is just one factor. Many seniors might be w...

Some patients find themselves hesitant about going to the dentist to fix their crooked smile. However, by not going to the dentist, they risk the potential for more serious issues down the road. When you skip getting braces, you run the risk that your misaligned teeth will cause problems with chewing and digestion. Then there's the issue of crowded...

​ Anxiety. It might not seem like one of the big reasons to go to the a dentist. In fact, anxiety seems more like a reason to avoid a dental checkup. Your smoking habit or the sharp pain you felt when you ate that bowl of ice cream last night seems like a more likely reason to schedule an appointment. However, stress can cause a variety of issues t...

Dentists do their best to treat children experiencing dental decay, but preventing decay from happening in the first place is truly the best option. According to a three-year study conducted by several universities, with core findings published in the Journal of Dental Research, preventing tooth decay altogether for children is best for oral care. ...

Whether you are newly diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, suspect you may have it or have been living with a diagnosis for any amount of time, you may be wondering in what - if any - ways your oral care routine should change with your diagnosis. Here's what you should know about living with TMJ disorder - and how your care should...

Researchers at Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, have found another great reason to take care of your oral hygiene. A recent study of data from 469,628 patients has revealed an increased risk of liver cancer in those who reported having poor oral hygiene that had resulted in everything from missing teeth to bleeding gums and dental abscesses. The study found that while there was no link between poor oral health and other types of gastrointestinal cancers, there was an elevated risk in a particular cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma. Researchers also noted that hepatocellular carcinoma was more common in patients who were young, female, who ate fewer than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, who were overweight or obese, smokers, and those living in less affluent areas. This isn’t the first time poor oral health has been linked to diseases throughout the body. More specifically, periodontal disease has been linked to everything from stroke to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do with the data from this study - namely, use the information to help lower the risk of developing liver cancer. Here’s what you can do. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight Because an elevated risk of liver cancer was found in participants who were classified as overweight or obese, one of the most straightforward ways to help reduce your risk of liver cancer is to maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise. This will help not only with reducing your liver cancer risk, but will also improve your overall health and quality of life. Change Your Diet Even if you don’t have excess weight to lose, adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is a healthy way to get all the vitamins, minerals and fiber your body needs. Just five servings a day can not only lower your liver cancer risk, but can also help you maintain healthy body weight. Quit Smoking While this is usually easier said than done, quitting smoking is worth the challenge. If you’re ready to quit but don’t know where to start, speak to your doctor for more information. Take Care of Your Teeth It goes without saying that to prevent a disease that is linked to poor oral hygiene you should be diligent about caring for your oral health. Be sure to brush twice a day, for two minutes minimum each time, and floss at least once a day. Don’t forget your dental exams either! To schedule your exam with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

Great news for lovers of red wine! The adult beverage has been found to have many health benefits over the years, including lowering blood pressure; protecting the brain from brain damage after stroke; preventing a condition called angiogenesis, which causes an overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye that can lead to blindness; preventing colon cancer; and even preventing breast cancer - just to name a few. So, what’s the key to all these benefits? The answer is a group of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. "There are over 500 different types of polyphenols, all of which are naturally occurring in plants. In the case of red wine, the polyphenols are found in the skin and seeds of the grapes," says Dr. Alexandra George, a dentist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. Polyphenols have four classes: flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes and phenolic acid. Though research has not yet been conclusive, it is believed that polyphenols may affect gene expression, and our genes may affect how our bodies handle polyphenols. For example, some studies have found that polyphenols can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Another study found that the higher the flavonoid levels in a person, the lower their risk of obesity! But now, a new study is touting another benefit of polyphenols - specifically the polyphenols you consume when drinking red wine - and this time it could benefit your teeth! The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and comes from the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. In this particular study, researchers took a closer look at how polyphenols called P-coumaric acid and caffeic affected the oral biome. In the study, P-coumaric acid and caffeic (which notably are also found in cranberry juice and coffee) helped prevent harmful plaque and bacteria from sticking to the teeth and gums. "The P-coumaric acid and caffeic acted almost as a shield against plaque," says George. "But they were found to be even more powerful when combined with streptococcus dentisani bacteria, which is a powerful probiotic." Great news, right? A little swish of red wine and you don’t need to brush tonight, right? Well, not exactly, says George. "Unfortunately, in order for that to work, the scientists in the study say you’d have to swish with red wine for about 47 hours," George says. "But the good news is that if scientists can derive some of those helpful polyphenols from red wine, they could someday make a really amazing toothpaste." In the meantime, keep indulging in that occasional glass of red wine without feeling guilty, George says. "Between what we do know about the health benefits of polyphenols and the emerging research about what we don’t yet know, in some small way or another, that glass of red wine is doing your body good!"

There are many reasons to undergo orthodontic treatment, from simply wanting a straighter smile to needing treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders or to eliminate a bad bite. With all these benefits to wearing braces, orthodontic treatment is well worth the cost. But one commonly believed benefit of orthodontic treatment in general has been recently discovered to be untrue, and it may take you by surprise. A recent study from the University of Adelaide in Australia found that the commonly held belief that realigning the teeth makes patients less likely to develop cavities and tooth decay is simply not true. The theory was that better alignment allowed for easier brushing and flossing – and while this is usually still true, what isn’t true is the notion that the teeth somehow require less care post-orthodontic treatment than before orthodontic treatment. The study looked at dental records from patients from ages 13 to 30, tracking their oral care habits. It also monitored the number of filled, lost and decayed teeth. Researchers found no difference in the rates of these dental issues among those who wore braces in the past and those who didn’t. So, what does this mean? It means that orthodontic treatment is not a free pass to neglect your oral hygiene, and proper care – including brushing and flossing - is still necessary to maintain your oral health. To learn more about proper oral health and care following braces, please contact Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

Marathons. Triathlons. Tough mudders. Whatever your endurance sport, training and performing is a major plus for your body. From your heart to your muscles to even your mental health, physical activity has a holistic positive effect on all the systems of the body. But there’s one area of your body that may not be so lucky if you’re not careful. It’s your mouth, and endurance training can really put it through the ringer. If you participate in any kind of endurance sports – or even just put in a grueling workout at the gym – here’s what you should know about protecting your oral health. Dr. Alexandra George is a dentist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. She says participants in endurance sports need to be extra mindful of their oral health. "It’s natural when straining your body to grit or grind your teeth," she says. "That is why it's imperative that when you are participating in endurance sports you wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard is also useful for protecting teeth against accidents like falls or being accidentally hit in the mouth while being active." Another natural thing to do when performing an endurance sport is to breathe through the mouth. This forceful breathing can be dangerous to the teeth because it dries the mouth out at a faster rate than normal mouth breathing or nasal breathing. If you breathe through the mouth while participating in sports, be sure to increase your fluids to compensate! "When performing in sporting events many people choose to drink sugary electrolyte-enhanced beverages that can be bad for the teeth," says George. "If you drink sugary sports drinks, the combination of dry mouth and excess sugar is upping your risk of cavities and bad breath. If you must drink sports drinks while active, be sure to alternate sips with water, or rinse your mouth out with water when your sports drink is finished." Because of the extra wear and tear on your teeth from endurance training, it is important that you visit your dentist more frequently than you might think. George recommends you stop by your dentist’s office at least two or three times a year to be sure that your oral health is solid and there is no damage to your teeth. Remember: Your oral health, or lack thereof, affects your total body health, which can affect your sports performance.

If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, you’re probably familiar with trendy drinks as well as trendy foods. Right now, beverages from rose to kombucha are having their moment in the spotlight - and some of them even have purported health benefits. But are they true? And what’s the tradeoff? Can a good-for-you drink taste as good as one that isn’t healthy? Here’s the lowdown on some trendy beverages - and whether they’re really as good for you as they claim to be. Kombucha. It’s got a funny name, but this trendy fermented tea beverage supposedly packs a wallop of probiotics and prebiotics, substances that stimulate microorganism growth. Unfortunately, however, it also packs something else "Kombucha is very acidic," says Dr. Alexandra George, a dentist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. "And that acid can be very bad for your teeth." Not only that, but studies have shown it doesn’t really do much for your health. "It probably won’t hurt your health, but there’s been no proven benefits to your health, either," says George. "Experts say if you really want to get the benefits of pro- or prebiotics, you should stick to yogurt or yogurt smoothies." Another trendy beverage that claims to be better for you than the rest of the pack is sparkling water. You know the brand. But again, even though it's lower in sugar than traditional soda, sparkling water is still really acidic, and acid erodes your teeth, causing enamel damage that leaves teeth susceptible to cavities. So, is there a trendy beverage that actually is good for you? Yes! It’s called matcha green tea, and believe it or not, it’s everything it claims to be. "Matcha green tea’s only real threat to your health is that it could discolor your teeth a little bit," says George. "But otherwise it's got some great benefits." Those benefits include a ton of antioxidants, reduction of oral inflammation, and a bunch of antibacterial properties that can help kill off some of that nasty oral bacteria responsible for cavities and bad breath. Basically, matcha is everything kombucha aspires to be. Even better, matcha isn’t just good for your mouth - it’s been popping up as an ingredient in everything from face masks to smoothies. "Matcha green tea really is a wonder ingredient, as long as you use it wisely," says George. That means brushing your teeth well after drinking to avoid staining, and if you do drink it, not overloading your tea with sugar or honey, which will feed the very bacteria you’re hoping to eradicate by drinking matcha in the first place. Recent studies have also shown that drinking too-hot tea can cause throat cancer, so be sure to indulge in your matcha green tea at a reasonable temperature.

Let’s face it: It can be hard to get away from the office to get to a dental exam. Plus, with so many adult Americans suffering from odontophobia (fear of the dentist), a lot of people simply don’t make it a priority. But what if you didn’t have to leave the office to get your dental exam? What if your dentist dropped by for a work-based house call and came to you? Well, the future is here and so is the dentist at a new startup that’s sending dentists to business offices to do in-office exams and cleanings for employees. The startup follows other oral health startups like those braces-by-mail companies. It offers dental exams and cleanings in the comfort of your own workplace, usually in an empty office or conference room. Great idea, right? Wrong! So, what’s the problem with in-office oral health? After all, it is a timesaver and would solve a big problem for many people. But there are bigger problems created by this type of dentistry. First of all, getting your teeth cleaned and scraped – something that can cause bleeding - is not something to do in a conference room where you just had a board meeting and celebrated Bob from HR’s 46th birthday. Dental offices are sterile environments that are cleaned thoroughly between patients. All materials used are either disposed of properly or sanitized properly. Most office conference rooms don’t have an autoclave sanitizer or proper disposal system for materials containing bodily fluids. Next, think about how your job makes you feel. Even if you love what you do, it can get stressful. Do you really want the stress and tension of being in the office added to the stress of being at the dentist? How can you relax if you spend your entire cleaning worrying about that big report that’s due in three hours? Most dental offices go the extra mile to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed during your visit. Finally, think about what may be required at your exam. Do you want your boss to see you in bitewings? Your HR person to hear you under nitrous oxide? Probably not. While in-office dentistry seems to have its heart in the right place, dentistry is one field that’s better left in-office: a dental office. To schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

Quitting smoking is a big deal, and something to be commended for. But too often these days we hear about people switching from smoking to vaping, thinking they are doing something better for their bodies.

This month, as you’re celebrating all things love, don’t forget to treat your mouth to some extra TLC, too. One of the hardest-working parts of your body, your mouth does a lot for you - doesn’t it deserve some love, too?

Wine: It’s one of America’s guiltiest pleasures, to the tune of 789 million gallons per year in 2016, according to The Wine Institute. But there are plenty of ways wine can be good for you, including one way that is so good for your mouth, that glass of red has become less guilty and more pleasure.

We all have someone like this in our life - that person who seems to have everything and need nothing. They may be a great person, but when it comes time to buy them a holiday gift, it can be a little frustrating. As the age-old question goes: What do you get for the person who has everything? How about the gift of good health - good oral health, that is! This holiday gifting season, check out these luxury oral health care products that even the person who has everything probably doesn’t have (yet).

Do you wish your smile was just a little bit straighter and whiter? Do you also wish you could take a tropical vacation while getting the smile of your dreams? How much would you pay for this fantasy treatment? If dental tourism packages are to be believed, less than you might pay here in the United States at a board-certified licensed dentist. But buyer beware: You may be getting more than you bargained for - and not in a good way.

Sedation Safety Week. Admittedly, it probably doesn’t sound that exciting. After all, it’s a week about being sedated. Theoretically, it probably shouldn’t be exciting - but it should be informative, and that’s exactly what the 10th annual Sedation Safety Week was.

 Becoming a new parent is one of the happiest and scariest things you may ever do. There’s so much to learn, and so much to marvel at - sometimes it's overwhelming. Diverse cultures have different ways of raising babies and place different values on milestones. But what all babies and all cultures have in common are the very basics in health care. An important part of any new baby’s health care that many new parents get wrong is their baby’s oral health. After all, if baby has no teeth, is there really anything to be concerned about? In a word, yes. Whether you’re a new parent, new grandparent or just curious about infant oral health care, check out these tips to ensure a life of healthy teeth for your baby.Gums Need Brushing, Too!A common misconception among new parents is that just because baby doesn’t have any teeth, he or she doesn’t need his or her mouth cleaned. This isn’t true for several reasons. Cleaning a baby’s mouth should be relatively easy. There are several ways to do it. There are products sold specifically to clean infant mouths, such as pre-moistened dental wipes that either fit over the finger or can be folded to a shape that is convenient for the parent. These wipes can be used to swab your baby's gums, tongue and cheeks after each feeding, especially after the last feeding of the night.Another method you can try is simply rubbing baby’s gums with a fluoride-free toothpaste. It is important to not use fluoridated oral health products on your child until he or she is old enough to spit the product out. Fluoride is not dangerous, but we certainly don’t want your child swallowing it, either.Finger or cloth brushing has dual benefits. Not only does it clean the mouth, but it also gets your child used to the feeling of having his or her teeth brushed, which will be very helpful when it comes time to brush actual teeth - and to visit the dentist!Even Babies Need to Visit the Dentist!Don’t think that just because your baby has only one or two teeth he or she doesn’t need to see the dentist. You should start bringing your baby to the dentist by his or her first birthday, regardless if teeth have erupted. This will get your baby comfortable with the dentist and dental exam and give you some peace of mind that all your child’s teeth are developing properly. If Dr. George spots any trouble areas, they can also be corrected before they become a big problem later.Don’t Share Cups and Spoons!You may already do this without even thinking about it. You make baby some oatmeal and taste a bit to make sure it's not too hot. Then you put more on the spoon and feed it to the baby. No big deal, right? Wrong!Believe it or not, the bad bacteria in our mouths - the bacteria responsible for everything from cavities to gum disease - can be transmitted by sharing a cup or spoon. So, when you, as an adult, put that spoon into your mouth and then into your baby’s mouth, you are transmitting a whole bunch of bacteria your baby may never have been exposed to otherwise, setting him or her up for a lifetime of cavities.If you must test your baby’s food, get a clean spoon, and don’t double dip. Same goes for cups. If your baby or toddler wants to try a little of your drink, get him or her their own cup - and never, ever share toothbrushes!Is Breast(feeding) Really Best?You’ve probably heard the debate "breast is best" versus "fed is best." The truth is, it’s a very personal decision that should be between you, your baby and possibly your partner and pediatrician. We all have different reasons for how we choose to feed our babies. The most important thing to remember is that feeding your baby is the ultimate goal. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for your choices.When it comes to brushing baby’s teeth, it doesn’t matter which method you use to feed your child. Both require you to brush and care for baby’s teeth and gums. A recent study shows children who breastfeed beyond 24 months have a higher risk of developing cavities, but there are too many variables missing from the study to know for sure how much of a role the breast milk itself plays in the formation of cavities. Plenty of babies breastfeed beyond 24 months and have no cavities. It’s really all about how you care for your baby’s teeth when he or she is not eating.If you have any further questions or concerns about infant oral health care, please give Dr. George a call at 724-934-3422.

Here in Pennsylvania, our football team may be No. 1 (Go Eagles!), but, according to WalletHub, our oral health is seriously lacking. That’s because out of a study of all 50 states, the Keystone State ranked a dismal 29. That’s the bottom half of the nation’s oral health, and it means that 28 states are doing a better job with their oral health than we are. That’s nothing to smile about.

 Whether you’re expecting, thinking about growing your family or just planning for the future, there are many things you can do before your baby arrives to prepare him or her for a lifetime of good oral health. Follow these steps to help build the best oral health foundation possible for your baby.