“The mouth is probably the dirtiest place in the human body,” says Dr Steve Kerrigan of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Now is the time to find out how to keep it clean and how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your over-all health.
What is oral health?
“Oral health is an essential component of health throughout life. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life. They can affect the most basic human needs, including the ability to eat and drink, swallow, maintain proper nutrition, smile and communicate.”
Important elements of oral health
The following elements all play a role in oral health, in either protecting or harming your mouth, teeth and body.
A. Acids. The sugars in some of the food you eat and liquids you drink are converted into acids that attack tooth enamel (outside coating of the tooth), and cause cavities (holes) and demineralisation of your teeth over time.
B. Brush your teeth regularly especially after eating sugary foods and fruit and after drinking fruit juice and sodas. Buy a good tooth brush and replace regularly. Electric brushes are good options too.
C. Clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner, tongue scraper or tongue brush, an oral hygiene device designed to remove bacteria, decaying food particles, fungi and dead cells that cause bad breath and cavities.
D. Dental or other sugar free gum that contains xylitol will help remove food particles and debris stuck between teeth and also stop the growth of bacteria. The chewing action also activates the production of saliva that helps protect teeth against decay.
E. Eating a balanced diet is essential to good oral health. According to dental experts these are the top beneficial foods for teeth: green tea, dairy foods, fruits such as apples, strawberries and kiwis, vegetables such as pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli, onions, celery, sesame seeds, chicken, turkey, eggs and water.
F. Flossing is recommended at least twice per day and before brushing, to dislodge food particles and enable fluoride toothpaste to get on the surface and between teeth.
G. Gum disease can have serious consequences and researchers warn that inflamed and bleeding gums due to poor oral hygiene could be increasing the risk of heart disease as well as Alzheimer’s.
H. Hygienists are dental professionals attached to dental practices. Make an appointment to clean, scale and polish your teeth and remove tartar.
I. Irrigation helps remove plaque and bacteria under the gum line. Oral irrigators use a pressured, directed stream of water to do so.
J. Join the many who have stopped smoking and chewing tobacco; both strongly linked to bad oral health and multiple dental and other diseases.
K. Kissing disease (infectious mononucleosis) can only be contracted through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva. Good oral health also means not sharing toothbrushes and minding who you kiss!
L. Liquids such as sugary sodas, sports drinks, some fruit juices and even wine often cause acid attacks and promote tooth decay. Avoid or dilute with water and brush your teeth after drinking them.
M. Mouthwashes or mouth rinses with salt and fluoride, or antiseptic chlorhexidine gluconate solutions help keep bacteria at bay. Children under six should not use fluoride mouth rinses.
N. Never go to bed without flossing and brushing your teeth. If you do you give plaque an opportunity to form. It takes about 24 hours for plaque and the acid it produces to start harming your teeth if not removed. It hardens to tartar in two days.
O. Oral diseases. The two most common oral diseases that you need to try and prevent are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease or pyorrhoea).
P. Pregnancy gingivitis usually occurs during the first trimester with symptoms such as bleeding, swollen, red and tender gums. Good oral health during pregnancy is of the utmost importance as some researchers believe that the serious stage of gum disease (periodontitis) could cause premature birth and low birth weight.
Q. Question your dentist about the health risks of amalgam fillings and other materials used in your mouth. You may have an allergy or sensitivity to the mercury, silver, copper, or tin in dental amalgam. Remember oral health is not just about your mouth and teeth but also about your general health and wellbeing.
R. Removing plaque and tartar build-up is essential to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
S. Saliva washes away food and neutralises acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Optimal saliva production is important to achieve and maintain good oral hygiene and general health.
T. Toothpaste The earliest known reference to toothpaste is in a manuscript from old Egypt. It refers to a mixture of powdered salt, pepper, mint leaves and iris flowers. Today, the choice is staggering and most do their job pretty well.
U. Ulcers. Mouth ulcers are common in people with weakened immune systems such as those infected with HIV. See your dentist for an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a corticosteroid ointment, or a prescription.
V. Very young children and babies need to adopt oral health practices early in life. Brush baby teeth (without toothpaste) with a soft brush and plain water after every feed. Use toothpaste with fluoride when the child is two years old. Primary or baby teeth need to be protected; they are essential tools to help a child chew and learn to speak properly.
W. Wearing braces can be challenging. However, good oral health and hygiene is especially important to keep your mouth, teeth and braces clean. Fortunately there are aids such as toothbrush heads, floss and toothpaste made especially for braces.
X. Xerostomia (dry mouth) is often caused by common medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers and diuretics. Unfortunately, the decrease in saliva Increases the incidence and severity of caries and other health issues that originate in the mouth. Ask your dentist about oral relief products with moisturising, lubricating and saliva enhancing ingredients.
Y. Your teeth can last a pain-free lifetime if you look after them properly. Protect and strengthen your teeth’s defences with sealants and protective coatings.
Z. Zero tolerance of bad oral and health habits will not only keep your mouth and teeth healthy but also help to protect you against systemic diseases such as Alzheimer’s and heart problems.
Sources
About dental amalgam fillings. Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm
A history of dentistry and oral hygiene. Retrieved from: http://drmetzdentistry.com/?page_id=443
Beyond tooth decay: why good dental hygiene is important. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283649.php
Davenport, T. 2014. Why is oral hygiene so Important during pregnancy? Retrieved from: http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalfactsfaqs/a/ohpregnancy.htm
Imortance of childhood oral hygiene and the role of parents. Retrieved from: http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/childhood-oral-hygiene-and-the-role-of-parents
Importance of good oral hygiene for people with braces. Retrieved from: http://www.oralb.com/embraceit/good-oral-hygiene
Oral health: a window to your overall health. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
Oral hygiene. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_hygiene
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