| Oral Health
Many people pay insufficient attention to oral care. This is probably partly because good oral hygiene takes effort; it is something we have to commit time to every day, and we are often short of time. Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and are much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.
Many foods that you eat cause bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Plaque also produces substances that irritate gums, making them tender and bleed easily. If neglected the gums may pull away from the teeth. Pockets form and
fill with bacteria and pus. Eventually the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and make the tooth loose and need to be removed. The foods that you eat come in contact with the germs and bacteria that live in the mouth. If you don’t brush, plaque will accumulate on the teeth. Plague thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a great deal of foods. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid is produced that attacks tooth enamel and eventually causes decay. According to the American Dental Association, the acid attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more.
Daily brushing and flossing go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy and your breath fresh. A good mouthwash may be a part of your oral care routine, particularly if you have occasional or chronic bad breath. Be sure to use a product that reduces oral bacteria that cause bad breath, rather than just using something to temporarily mask the smell. Many
mouthwashes also help to reduce the buildup of plaque on the teeth, and fight gum disease Food particles left lodged between teeth and in pockets and grooves in the oral cavity, and mineral deposits allowed to build up on tooth surfaces, lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Sugary foods in the diet, use of tobacco products, and other habits can contribute to these conditions. There's no doubt that a good program of oral care to minimize these factors is worth the extra effort - the old adage is true: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
These are the simple steps that you can do to maintain your good oral health.
- Take care of your teeth and gums. Thorough tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can prevent gingivitis - the mildest form of gum disease.
Avoid Smoking & spitting tobacco. Spit tobacco containing sugar increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, oral and throat cancers, and oral fungal infection
- Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride's protection against dental decay works at all ages
- Heavy use of alcohol is also a risk factor for oral and throat cancers.
- Avoid sugars and starches meals & snacks.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Check-ups can detect early signs of oral health problems and can lead to treatments that will prevent further damage and in some cases reverse the problem
- A good dental regime is essential in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
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