Your Dental Health

No matter your age, you need to take care of your teeth and gums. When your mouth is not healthy, other areas of your body may become unhealthy. When your mouth is healthy you can eat and drink without pain allowing your body to get the nutrition it needs.

The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth is by brushing and flossing. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss at least once a day. In addition to good home care you need to have regular cleanings at your DHA dentist.

Brushing and Flossing

There are many toothbrushes that can be purchased today, but which should you buy? Even though hard and medium brushes can be bought, you should use a soft bristled toothbrush. The soft brush will clean your teeth without causing damage to your teeth and gums.

After you eat, there are left over food particles that will be under your gum tissue and on your teeth. If left there bacteria will use it as food and grow in your mouth. The brushing action will wipe away the leftover food and bacteria. Today there are many electric toothbrushes that are more efficient than a standard toothbrush. Ask your DHA dentist what is best for your dental health.

Even though you brush twice a day for two to three minutes, food particles will still be present between the teeth. Flossing the teeth will help remove these particles and also exercise the gum tissue that the brush cannot contact.

Discuss with your DHA dentist the proper techniques of brushing and flossing so you can help minimize your chances of getting gum disease and tooth decay.

Decay (Cavity)

If your teeth are not cleaned after eating, the food particles will combine with bacteria in the mouth and stick to the teeth. This soft sticky mass is called plaque. The bacteria in plaque will produce an acid that will eat into your teeth. The hole in the tooth is called a cavity. This process is especially active when foods high in sugar or starches (milk, soda, candy, raisins, or cake) are eaten. If the cavity is left a long time it can result in a root canal or even tooth loss.

Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

The same sticky mass called plaque that can cause cavities can also cause gum disease. When the plaque is stuck under the gum tissue the acids breakdown the gum tissue and bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. This will cause the gums to swell and bleed easily. It will become harder to remove the plaque and more and more will build up. The saliva will eventually harden the plaque into a hard mass called calculus. This is similar to a barnacle on a rock. Once calculus forms only a dentist can remove it. If left untreated you increase your chances of losing the tooth. People who smoke, use smokeless tobacco, on certain medication, or have diabetes are at a higher risk for gum disease. Discuss your situation with a DHA dentist.

Recent research has shown that there is an association of periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. There may also be an association with respiratory disease and osteoporosis. If you have been diagnosed with any of the above let your DHA dentist know so they can evaluate you for gum disease.

Pregnancy

If you are or planning on becoming pregnant let your DHA dentist know as soon as possible. When pregnant there are many hormonal changes that occur that effect the body in many ways. Your gum tissue will become more susceptible to irritation that can lead to gum disease. Research has shown that women with gum disease during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver preterm and low birth weight babies.

Baby Bottle Syndrome

Dental health is just as important for your baby as it is for you. Many parents give their baby a bottle to help calm them down at nap or night time. The baby finds comfort in this, but this can cause a major problem. If the bottle is filled with a sugary or starchy liquid (milk, formula, juice) the teeth will become coated with the liquid and acids will form in the mouth. This acid will eat holes into the babies teeth usually without the parents noticing. Water is the best liquid if you need to use a bottle for your baby to sleep. For more details talk with your DHA dentist.

Oral Cancer

The most frequent sites of oral cancer are the floor of the mouth, tongue, lips, gum tissue, palate, and throat. Approximately 35,000 new cases occur a year with the majority in people over 45 years of age. Men are twice as likely to develop cancer as compared to women. Oral cancer has one of the poorest long term survival rates. On average only fifty percent of people diagnosed with an oral cancer will survive more than five years.

You are at a higher risk of developing an oral cancer if you use any form of tobacco or have a high alcohol consumption. The combination of alcohol and tobacco may give you a 10 to 20 times greater chance of developing an oral cancer. Recent studies have suggested a higher chance of developing oral cancer if a person has gum disease.

Oral cancer can start as an unnoticed spot that is red or white in color, or small sore. It may bleed easily and never heal, or become crusted over. It can appear as a thick area similar to a lump or even an eroded area. It may be painful, show signs of numbness, or make it hard to swallow.

Fortunately there is a high survival rate if oral cancer is detected early. Your DHA dentist has the ability to perform an oral cancer screening for you right in the office. Call and make an appointment today.

Your dental health is very important to the health of your entire body. The health of your mouth is a team effort between your DHA dentist and you. Please do your part daily.