You
have so many good reasons to keep your family’s teeth and gums healthy.
Their sparkling smiles. Being able to chew for good nutrition. Avoiding
toothaches and discomfort. And new research suggests that gum disease
can lead to other problems in the body, including increased risk of
heart disease.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep teeth strong and healthy from childhood to old age. Here’s how:
1. Start children early. Despite great strides in decay
prevention, one in four young children develops signs of tooth decay
before they start school. Half of all children between the ages of 12
and 15 have cavities. “Dental care should begin as soon as a child’s
first tooth appears, usually around six months,” Caryn Solie, RDH,
president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, tells WebMD.
“Teeth can be wiped with a clean, damp cloth or a very soft brush. At
about age 2, you can let kids try brushing for themselves -- although
it’s important to supervise.”
2. Seal off trouble. Permanent molars come in around age 6.
Thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth can prevent decay in the pits and fissures. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants can significantly
reduce caries. Yet only one in three U.S. kids receives dental sealants.
Talk to your dental professional.
3. Use enough -- but not too much -- fluoride. The single
biggest advance in oral health has been fluoride, which strengthens
enamel, making it less likely to decay. Three out of four Americans
drink water that is fluoridated. If your water isn’t fluoridated, talk
to your dental professional, who may suggest putting a fluoride
application on your teeth. Many toothpastes and mouth rinses also
contain fluoride. Fluoride should be used sparingly in young children --
no more than a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush. Too much can cause
white spots on teeth.
4. Brush twice a day and floss daily. Gum disease and tooth
decay remain big problems -- and not just for older people.
Three-fourths of teenagers have gums that bleed, according to the ADHA.
Along with the basic advice, remember:
- Toothbrushes should be changed 3 to 4 times a year.
- Teenagers with braces may need to use special toothbrushes and other oral hygiene tools to brush their teeth. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist.
- Older people with arthritis or other problems may have trouble holding a toothbrush or using floss. Some people find it easier to use an electric toothbrush. Others simply put a bicycle grip or foam tube over the handle of a regular toothbrush to make it easier to hold.
5. Rinse or chew gum after meals. In addition to brushing
and flossing, rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse can help
prevent decay and gum problems. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can
also protect by increasing saliva flow, which naturally washes bacteria
away and neutralizes acid.
6.
Block blows to teeth. Sports and recreational activities
build healthy bodies, but they can pose a threat to teeth. Most school
teams now require children to wear mouth guards. But remember:
unsupervised recreational activities like skate-boarding and
roller-blading can also result in injuries. Your dentist can make a
custom-fitted mouth guard. Another option: buy a mouth guard at a
sporting goods store that can be softened using hot water to form fit
your mouth.
7. Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Tobacco stains
teeth and significantly increases the risk of gum disease and oral
cancer. If you smoke or use chewing tobacco, consider quitting. Counsel
your kids not to start.
8. Eat smart. At every age, a healthy diet is essential to
healthy teeth and gums. A well-balanced diet of whole foods -- including
grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products -- will provide
all the nutrients you need. Some researchers believe that omega-3 fats,
the kind found in fish, may also reduce inflammation, thereby lowering
risk of gum disease, says Anthony M. Iacopino, DMD, PhD, dean of the
University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry.
9. Avoid sugary foods. When bacteria in the mouth break
down simple sugars, they produce acids that can erode tooth enamel,
opening the door to decay. “Sugary drinks, including soft drinks and
fruit drinks, pose a special threat because people tend to sip them,
raising acid levels over a long period of time,” says Steven E.
Schonfeld, DDS, PhD, a dentist in private practice and spokesperson for
the American Dental Association. “Carbonated drinks may make matters
worse, since carbonation also increases acidity.” Sticky candies are
another culprit, because they linger on teeth surfaces.
10. Make an appointment. Most experts recommend a dental
check-up every 6 months -- more often if you have problems like gum
disease. During a routine exam, your dentist or dental hygienist removes
plaque build-up that you can’t brush or floss away and look for signs
of decay. A regular dental exam also spots:
- Early signs of oral cancer. Nine out of 10 cases of oral cancer can be treated if found early enough. Undetected, oral cancer can spread to other parts of the body and become harder to treat.
- Wear and tear from tooth grinding. Called bruxism, teeth grinding may be caused by stress or anxiety. Over time, it can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. If your teeth show signs of bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard worn at night to prevent grinding.
- Signs of gum disease. Gum disease, also called gingivitis or periodontitis, is the leading cause of tooth loss in older people. “Unfortunately, by the time most people notice any of the warning signs of periodontitis, it’s too late to reverse the damage,” says Sam Low, DDS, professor of periodontology at the University of Florida and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. Periodically, your dental professional should examine your gums for signs of trouble.
- Interactions with medications. Older patients, especially those on multiple medications, are at risk of dry mouth, or xerostomia. Reduced saliva flow increases the risk of decay and gum problems. As many as 800 different drugs cause dry mouth as a side effect, says Iacopino, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry. “Always tell your dental professional about any medications you take,” he says. A change in prescriptions may help alleviate the problem. Saliva-like oral mouthwashes are also available.
“Almost all tooth decay and most gum disease can be
prevented with good oral hygiene,” says Solie. “We’re talking about
taking a few minutes each day to brush and floss. That’s not a lot in
return for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.”
SOURCE: webMD.com
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