President’s Day: Electing Good Dental Health

15 Feb 2016

Did you know that many presidents have struggled with dental health? Despite being the Commander-in-Chief, many presidents dealt with tooth decay and pain.

Here are 4 presidents that struggled with dental health:

George Washington

The first president of the United States struggled with tooth decay and pain all of his adult life. When he was inaugurated, he had only one natural tooth in his mouth; he wore dentures carved out of hippopotamus ivory with gold and brass fixtures. The dentures caused him great pain and changed the appearance of his face, causing his lips to bulge out.

John Adams

Our 2nd U.S. president lost all of his teeth. Unlike Washington, President Adams refused to wear dentures, resulting in a lisp.

Abraham Lincoln

It’s reported that Honest Abe had a terrible experience at the dentist; while having a tooth removed, Lincoln’s dentist actually broke off a part of the president’s jaw. For another extraction, Lincoln brought and medicated himself with chloroform.

Woodrow Wilson

In 1913, President Wilson couldn’t help but smiling during his inauguration. Unfortunately, he revealed a set of decaying teeth that shocked the public. A newspaper published the photograph of the president, further spreading the news of his poor oral health.

Today we have access to great dental care, along with products to keep our teeth strong and healthy. Here are some ways you can ensure you have a beautiful, healthy smile.

Regular Dental Routine

The best way to prevent tooth decay is to maintain a good oral care routine.

Brush your teeth twice a day
Floss once a day
Visit your dentist every six months.

Sedate Your Anxiety

If you struggle with anxiety about going to the dentist as President Lincoln understandably did, Greenspoint Dental offers sedation dentistry. Using nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation, a person with even the most severe dental phobia can receive dental checkups and cleanings.

Semi-Annual Cleanings

It’s best to get your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist every six months. Dentists and dental hygienists possess the appropriate tools and training to give your teeth a deep cleaning. With these specialized tools, dentists can clean your teeth much more effectively and address the areas of your mouth you can’t reach yourself.

Eat the Right Foods

While oral care is important, what you eat is just as important to the health of your teeth. Apples are known as “nature’s toothbrush,” along with carrots and celery. The vitamins in dairy products strengthen tooth enamel.

There are many foods and snacks that are great for your teeth, but you should also know which foods to avoid. Foods that are sugary, sticky, and hard can easily damage teeth.

While many of our nation’s leaders have battled tooth decay and poor oral health, there are plenty of ways for your to prevent tooth decay and maintain healthy teeth. With the advanced technology and research available, dentists are providing their patients with the best dental care.

For more information about dental care or to schedule a dental appointment, contact Greenspoint Dental in Houston, Texas. We are dedicated to providing you and your loved ones with the best dental care.