Ways to Ensure Dental Health
Want to enjoy good dental health? Here’s how.
Good dental health is more than a set of sparkling white teeth. Good dental health is about keeping our teeth and gums healthy. Healthy teeth and gums can provide confidence, ensure the enjoyment of food and cut down on hefty and unnecessary dental bills. It can also help prevent gum disease–the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Some researchers also caution that gum disease can lead to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and pneumonia.
Here are some simple ways to ensure oral health:
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Schedule Regular Check-ups
Most dentist recommend at least two visits a year. These check-ups can detect any early signs of oral problems, so preventive measures can be taken. Frequent periodontal check-ups are also needed to ensure healthy gums. These visits should also include deep and thorough cleaning (prophylaxis) to keep plaque away.
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Establish a Cleaning Routine
Establishing a cleaning routine is your first line of defense against bacteria in your mouth. This is one area completely within your control and all you need is some conscientious effort. Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Hold your brush at an angle and use short back and forth motion. Avoid any harsh brushing as it can wear away enamel and irritate gums. And yes, don’t forget to floss. Flossing removes plaque and helps you reach those hard-to-get-to areas.
Consequences for neglect: bad breath, cavities, gingivitis and urghh…eventual tooth loss. Who needs that?
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Healthy Diet
Your mouth is a showcase of what you eat. Sugary foods and heavy starches provide the medium for bacteria to ferment the sugar into tooth-decaying acids. Choose foods rich in calcium, Vitamins C and D. Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables as these fiber rich foods stimulate salivary flow to re-mineralized tooth surfaces.
If you’re a yogurt person–good for you. Japanese researchers found that individuals who consume 55 g or more of yogurt showed significantly less signs of periodontal disease.
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Abstain from Tobacco and Alcohol
It’s not just about stinky breath and yellow teeth. Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop gum disease. Tobacco and alcohol use can increase the risk for oral and throat cancer and oral fungal infection.
For women dealing with hormonal changes that come with each phase of life–puberty, pregnancy and menopause–observing good dental health habits is even more important. Hormonal changes can change the way gums react with the bacteria in the mouth. Be even more vigilant and don’t neglect routine check-ups.
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