A healthy mouth is an important part of a healthy body.
Oral pain, missing teeth and infections of the mouth can influence how a person speaks, eats and even socializes. We often ignore tender gums or even bleeding, yet oral disease is serious and needs to be treated.
Research has even shown associations between oral disease and diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It makes sense then to take care of your mouth, gums and teeth.
We might like to think that aging means deteriorating teeth, but that would be false. In fact, neglect is the cause of the deterioration, not getting older.
Prevention is the most important step to take in protecting and maintaining dental health. In addition to regular visits to the dentist, there are three other keys.
Brushing and flossing are the mechanical steps to maintenance. Learn how to do both properly and effectively and you will enjoy many years of healthy teeth.
Brushing well takes about two minutes and removes most the bacteria that promote tooth decay and plaque that can lead to gum disease. Because brushing only reaches about two-thirds of the tooth surface, flossing is also needed.
Ideally, brushing and flossing should come after every meal - bacteria begin their attack right away - but at the very least, brush once a day, and always before bed.
Good nutrition is a second tool for promoting good dental health. High levels of sugar in our food and drink promote tooth decay and should be minimized.
Consider drinking milk and snacking on nuts, fruit and vegetables, or plain yoghurt and cheese.
Thirdly, spotting trouble early can mean avoiding more serious problems later. For example, bad breath that won't go away could be a sign of gum disease. If you cannot get rid of it with brushing and flossing, visit your dentist.
Gums that bleed when you floss are another early warning sign. If you just started to floss, a little bleeding is normal, but not every time you floss. Again, it may be time to see the dentist for a proper evaluation.
Sensitivity is another way that your mouth could be asking for help. Being sensitive to hot or cold, to pressure or sweetness all point to something being wrong. And yes it's time to visit the dentist.
Good oral health is not difficult to achieve: keep your mouth clean, watch what you eat and drink, check your mouth regularly, avoid all tobacco, and see your dentist regularly. Wasn't that simple?
Keeping your mouth healthy is an important part of leading a healthy life.
