Cedar Pearl Dental

02/18/2026

During pregnancy, the body goes through powerful hormonal changes — and the gums are not exempt.

Rising levels of estrogen and progesterone can make gums more sensitive to plaque, increasing the risk of gingivitis and gum inflammation. When gums are inflamed, swollen, or bleeding, the protective barrier of the mouth becomes weaker.

This matters because bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue. Once in circulation, these bacteria and inflammatory mediators do not remain confined to the mouth — they can contribute to systemic inflammation during pregnancy.

Scientific research has shown associations between poor maternal oral health and pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. While gum disease does not automatically cause these conditions, it is considered a modifiable risk factor that deserves attention.

◾Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

02/18/2026

With aging, the number and responsiveness of taste buds gradually decline, often starting in the fourth or fifth decade of life.

Taste buds become smaller and regenerate at a slower rate, leading to reduced flavor intensity.

Sweet and salty sensations are typically the first to diminish, while bitter tastes tend to remain relatively more pronounced.

Salivary flow also decreases with age, limiting the ability of dissolved food particles to interact effectively with taste receptors.

In addition, age-related reduction in olfactory function further weakens overall flavor perception, since smell plays a major role in how taste is experienced.

02/11/2026

The first recorded use of anesthesia in a medical procedure was performed by a dentist.

On December 11, 1844, Dr. Horace Wells, a dentist from Hartford, Connecticut, demonstrated the use of nitrous oxide—commonly known as laughing gas—for pain-free tooth extraction. After observing its effects at a public demonstration, Wells recognized its medical potential and volunteered to have his own tooth extracted under its influence.

The procedure was successful, marking a turning point in medical history and the beginning of modern anesthesia.
Wells’ discovery paved the way for the widespread use of anesthesia, transforming both dentistry and surgery. His pioneering work laid the foundation for modern pain management, making medical procedures safer, more humane, and more comfortable for patients worldwide.

Despite its impact, Horace Wells’ contribution is often underrecognized outside dentistry. His work proved, for the first time, that pain could be ethically and effectively controlled during medical procedures—forever changing the course of medicine.

02/04/2026

Women care for their teeth better than men — yet research shows they may face a higher cavity risk.

Research shows that women are generally more proactive about oral health.
They tend to visit dentists more often, maintain better daily oral hygiene, and have higher awareness of their dental health compared to men.

Surprisingly, multiple studies also report that women often have a higher prevalence of dental caries, even with these better habits.

This difference is not mainly about neglect — it’s about biology.

Hormonal changes across life stages such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can influence saliva flow, oral pH, and enamel protection. These changes may create conditions that increase cavity risk.

In addition, women’s teeth often erupt earlier, leading to longer lifetime exposure to the oral environment — another factor linked to higher caries rates in many populations.

Oral health is shaped by both daily habits and biological factors. Good hygiene is essential, but it doesn’t completely remove natural risk — which is why preventive care should always be personalized.

📚References:
• American Journal of Human Biology — Lukacs & Largaespada, 2006 (PMID: 16788889)
• American Journal of Men’s Health — Lipsky et al., 2021 (PMID: 33993787)

02/04/2026

Opening bottles with your teeth may look harmless — but it delivers fracture-level force directly to enamel.

Opening bottles with teeth exposes tooth enamel to sudden, concentrated stress that it is not designed to withstand.

Bottle caps function like rigid metal levers. When twisted or pried against teeth, they transfer force to a small enamel surface area, increasing the risk of structural failure.

Here’s how opening bottles with teeth causes permanent damage:

• Enamel micro-fractures: High point-load force creates microscopic cracks that weaken enamel

• Chipped incisors and premolars: Front teeth absorb peak stress during bottle opening

• Complete tooth fractures: Cracks can rapidly extend into dentin and the pulp

• Accelerated enamel wear: Compromised enamel breaks down faster under normal chewing

• Premature failure of fillings and crowns: Dental restorations fracture earlier than expected

The most dangerous part?

Damage often occurs instantly — but symptoms may appear much later, after cracks deepen or bacteria reach the pulp.

Emergency dental data consistently identify bottle-opening injuries as a common cause of fractured anterior teeth.

Once tooth enamel is damaged, it does not regenerate.

🦷 Key takeaway: Teeth are biological structures, not tools. When enamel fails, the damage is permanent and often requires invasive dental treatment to restore function.

01/26/2026

Dental X-rays are not taken randomly or without purpose. They help dentists see problems that cannot be detected by a visual examination alone. Many dental issues develop silently, without pain or obvious signs.

X-rays allow dentists to detect hidden tooth decay between teeth, identify bone loss caused by gum disease, and find decay under existing fillings or crowns. These areas are impossible to evaluate accurately without imaging.

They also help detect infections at the tip of the tooth root and provide a complete view of the teeth and jawbone before dental procedures. This ensures treatments are planned correctly and safely.

Regarding safety, modern dental X-rays use very low radiation levels. Digital X-ray technology, protective lead aprons, and strict guidelines make the exposure minimal and safe.

For most patients, the benefit of early detection and prevention far outweighs the extremely small risk. Dental X-rays remain a safe and essential part of maintaining long-term oral and overall health.

01/25/2026

So grateful for Back Home Bakery in Crestview, Florida 🤍
If you don’t know about this place or haven’t been yet, you HAVE to go. Everything tastes like it was made with love—fresh, comforting, and absolutely delicious. They welcomed us for 2 days with open arms while having meetings. EVERYTHING we tried was FABULOUS!!! THANK YOU for welcoming another small business into your space and being so FANTASTIC!!!!
Their located at 307 N. Mainstreet, Crestview Florida

01/23/2026

Please consider live organ donations; Kidney donors are needed everywhere. If you are even slightly interested, message me and I can get you in touch with a coordinator at Pensacola Sacred Heart to see how. ❤️

One organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation. Register today at www.DonateLifeFlorida.org!

01/23/2026

🥶🥶

Much of the Country will be seeing some intense winter weather this weekend. We, most likely will not see snow or ice but cold weather is on its way. See below weather update from US National Weather Service Mobile Alabama and Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox.

OVERVIEW/WHAT'S NEW: Model guidance continues to trend northward with this system resulting in warmer temperatures and decreasing chances of any frozen precipitation. The following two scenarios remain possible, however with the northern trend, scenario #1 remains the most likely. The bigger story will be behind this system as a much colder airmass moves into the region with a hard freeze expected for several nights early next week. The coldest night is expected to be Sunday night and Monday night with lows in the middle and upper teens across interior areas and low to mid 20s near the coast with windchill values of 10 to 15 degrees across northern portions of the area.



Scenario #1 - Most Likely: Low pressure develops and takes a northerly track across portions of Mississippi and Alabama.

· Warm, humid air attempts to surge in from the Gulf, helping to push any winter weather potential farther north.

o This lowers the potential for wintry precip across the area, favoring rain as the primary precip type.

o It should be noted that solutions which depict this solution do hint at the possibility for some thunderstorms to develop by the coast Saturday night into Sunday. Cannot rule out a stronger storm if enough instability moves inland.

Scenario #2 - Less Likely: Low pressure develops and takes on a southerly track across the northern Gulf, eventually pushing into the Florida Panhandle.

· A shallow arctic airmass manages to push into the local region, resulting in a possible changeover from rain to a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet, mainly over interior counties.

o Freezing rain/sleet amounts in this scenario are unknown at this time, however indications are that amounts could lead to dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts

01/22/2026

We are looking for a FT hygienist. Located in the heart of Crestview, FL we are close to everything! Destin! Ft. Walton Beach! I-10 freeway! Pensacola!
Come join our dynamic hometown office and see the difference. Our hygienists are well taken care of. We offer health Insurance, PTO/paid Holidays, bonus program, and a chance to grow with us! We encourage CE and community service, and we do an annual service mission. Competitive pay DOE. We are eopen M-F.
Call 850-682-2720 ask for Rebecca and/or email your resume to CedarPearlFL@gmail.com

01/16/2026

The mouth is the gateway into your body.

Recent research suggests that the same genes linked to long-term poor oral health—such as frequent cavities, missing teeth, or gum disease—may also make the brain more vulnerable to damage during a stroke.

In a large study, people who carried these oral-health risk genes showed greater changes in brain structure and more loss of white matter after a stroke.

White matter is essential because it allows different parts of the brain to communicate, and damage to it can affect memory, thinking, and overall cognitive function.

Although this does not prove that good oral care will directly prevent brain damage after a stroke, it highlights that oral health matters far beyond the mouth.

Taking care of your teeth and gums—through regular brushing and flossing, reducing sugar intake, and avoiding excessive use of mouthwash—may help lower one modifiable risk factor.

More research is needed to fully understand how improving oral health affects brain outcomes, but current evidence strongly supports taking daily oral care seriously as part of overall brain and body health.

📄 SOURCE:
Poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain health. (American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2023, Abstract 126)