Dr. Enrico L. Cruz Dental Clinic

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Dr. Enrico L. Cruz Dental Clinic Orthodontics - TMJ - Prosthodontics - Cosmetic - General Dentistry

Cruz Dentcare Dental Clinic
Unit C Royal Treasure Bldg. Friendship Highway, Brgy.

Cutcut, Angeles City 2009

17/10/2026

Regular flossing is linked to a lower risk of ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation, according to a long-term U.S. study published in Stroke in 2026.

Researchers analyzed data from approximately 6,200 adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, followed for a median of 23.7 years. Compared with people who did not floss, those who reported regular flossing had a 23% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 40% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, and a 12% lower risk of atrial fibrillation.

Flossing removes plaque and food debris from between teeth, helping maintain gum health. Researchers suggest that reducing oral inflammation may contribute to cardiovascular health, although the mechanisms linking oral health to stroke risk are not yet fully established.

Important: This was an observational study based on self-reported flossing. It shows an association, not proof that flossing prevents stroke.

Research reference: Sen et al. Stroke. 2026;57(5):1273–1282. DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.054440.

10/10/2026

Bedtime Bottles Can Increase The Risk Of Early Childhood Tooth Decay.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC), traditionally known as baby bottle tooth decay, is a preventable disease that can affect a child's teeth soon after they erupt.

Frequent, prolonged exposure to fermentable carbohydrates increases the risk of tooth decay. When a child repeatedly falls asleep while feeding from a bottle, prolonged exposure to milk or other carbohydrate-containing liquids can contribute to caries development. The risk depends on feeding frequency, duration of exposure, oral hygiene and other factors.

The upper front teeth are commonly affected. Early lesions may appear as chalky white bands near the gumline, indicating enamel demineralization. Without appropriate preventive care, lesions can progress to brown discoloration, enamel breakdown and cavitated lesions.

Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they play important roles in chewing, speech development and maintaining space for permanent teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends finishing bedtime and nap-time bottle feeds before putting an infant to bed. Once the first tooth erupts, brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste: use a rice-grain-sized smear for children younger than 3 years and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3–6 years. The first dental visit should occur when the first tooth appears or no later than the first birthday.

Reference: American Dental Association — Tooth Decay with Baby

08/10/2026

A Missing Tooth Can Quietly Change the Entire Bite

A missing tooth does not simply leave an empty space.

Over time, neighboring teeth can begin to drift into the gap, while the opposing tooth may slowly move out of position because it no longer has a tooth to bite against. This natural movement can gradually change the way the teeth fit together.

As teeth shift, chewing efficiency may decrease and certain areas can become more difficult to clean. Food debris and plaque may accumulate more easily, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease around the affected teeth.

Missing teeth can also contribute to gradual jawbone loss in the area where the tooth was lost, since the bone no longer receives normal stimulation from chewing forces.

Replacing a missing tooth early can help maintain proper tooth alignment, preserve normal function, support jawbone health, and reduce the need for more complex treatment in the future.

The longer a missing tooth remains untreated, the greater the chance that surrounding teeth will continue to move.

07/10/2026

The Hidden Consequence of Missing Teeth

A missing tooth can trigger a process that may continue for years, even decades.

Your teeth do more than help you chew. They help keep the jawbone healthy and strong. Every bite and chew sends forces through the tooth roots into the surrounding bone, providing the stimulation needed to maintain its shape and density.

When a tooth is lost, that stimulation disappears. As a result, the body gradually begins breaking down the bone that once supported the tooth. This natural process, known as bone resorption, can begin soon after tooth loss and may continue for years, with the most rapid loss typically occurring during the first year.

Over time, the jawbone may become thinner and shorter. The rate and extent of bone loss vary among individuals and are influenced by factors such as age, bone quality, gum health, smoking, and whether the space is restored. These changes can affect denture fit and make future dental implant treatment more challenging. In cases of extensive tooth loss, they may also reduce support for the lips, cheeks, and other facial tissues.

This is one reason dentists place such importance on preserving natural teeth whenever possible. When a tooth cannot be saved, replacing it with an appropriate treatment option may help maintain the bone that supports both oral function and facial structure.

A missing tooth doesn't just leave a gap. It can gradually change the foundation of your jaw.

06/10/2026

Most people think gum disease only affects the mouth. Recent research suggests the effects may reach much farther.

A study from the University of South Carolina found that adults with periodontal (gum) disease had significantly higher levels of white matter hyperintensities in the brain. These changes are considered markers of cerebral small vessel disease and have been associated with an increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline, and other neurological conditions.

Researchers believe chronic inflammation and oral bacteria may contribute to changes in blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply the brain. Over time, this persistent inflammatory burden could potentially influence brain health.

Importantly, the study does not prove that gum disease directly causes brain damage. However, it adds to a growing body of evidence showing that oral health and overall health are closely connected.

Healthy gums are about more than keeping teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, professional dental care, and early treatment of bleeding or swollen gums may play an important role in supporting long-term health.

The mouth is not separate from the body—and what happens in the gums may not stay in the gums.

🔬 Study: Meyer J, Martin C, Wood S, et al. Neurology Open Access (2025). DOI: 10.1212/WN9.0000000000000037

28/09/2026

People with more healthy or treated teeth tend to live longer than those with fewer, a large Japanese study of over 190,000 adults aged 75 and older has found.

Researchers tracked dental checkup records against death records over several years. People with zero remaining teeth had about 70% higher mortality risk than those with 21 or more. But the study's key finding was more specific: healthy and properly treated teeth were linked to lower mortality, while untreated decayed teeth were linked to higher mortality — meaning it's not just tooth count that matters, but whether those teeth are healthy or being cared for.

Researchers suggest this may reflect broader effects of oral health on the body, such as easier chewing supporting better nutrition, or chronic infection and inflammation from untreated decay affecting overall health — though this study didn't test those mechanisms directly.

Source: Otsuki et al., BMC Oral Health (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12903-025-07275-6

24/09/2026

Your mouth is home to more than 700 species of microorganisms that help protect your teeth, gums, and overall health.

Research suggests that certain foods may support a healthier oral microbiome, including leafy greens, berries, tea, fermented foods, and cheese. These foods provide nutrients and compounds that can help beneficial bacteria thrive while making it harder for harmful bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease to dominate.

On the other hand, frequent consumption of sugary foods, sugary drinks, and highly refined carbohydrates can encourage acid-producing bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.

The goal isn't finding a single "superfood"—it's building a balanced dietary pattern rich in whole foods, vegetables, fruits, and fiber while limiting frequent sugar exposure.

A healthy mouth starts with what you eat, along with daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental care.

Source: BBC Future (2026)

23/09/2026

🦷 9 Dental Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

A healthy smile starts with healthy teeth and gums. 🪥 Tooth decay, gum disease, sensitivity, cracked teeth, oral infections, grinding, bad breath, wisdom tooth problems, and tooth loss can all affect your oral health—recognizing the signs early can help you get the right dental care.

21/09/2026

One Missing Tooth Can Trigger a Chain Reaction Throughout the Mouth.

Most people assume a missing tooth is only a cosmetic problem. But the changes often extend far beyond the empty space.

When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the jawbone in that area gradually begins to shrink because it no longer receives the stimulation created by chewing. At the same time, neighboring teeth may start drifting or tilting into the space, while the opposing tooth can continue erupting because it no longer has a tooth to bite against.

These changes can alter the way the teeth fit together, affect chewing efficiency, create areas that trap food more easily, and make future treatment more complex. What starts as a single missing tooth can eventually influence multiple teeth and the surrounding bone.

The image illustrates three common consequences of long-term tooth loss: • Overeruption of the opposing tooth
• Bone resorption in the missing tooth area
• Tilting of adjacent teeth

Preserving natural teeth whenever possible—and replacing missing teeth when necessary—helps maintain bone, support a stable bite, and protect long-term oral health.

A missing tooth rarely stays an isolated problem.

Thankyou for trusting us, Orthodontic Treatment
21/09/2026

Thankyou for trusting us, Orthodontic Treatment

Address

Unit C Royal Treasure Bldg. Friendship Highway, Brgy. Cutcut
Angeles City
2009

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

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+639985724090

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