Cavity can be a very dreadful word. What do you think first when you hear cavities? A visit to a dentist? Pain? Drill? Dental treatment? A good oral care routine can help you keep cavity-free teeth and prevent tooth decay and result in a healthy mouth
The mouth, or oral cavity, is made up of numerous components that work together so that you can breathe, speak, eat and digest food. Following are the parts of your mouth:
Keeping your mouth healthy
The moment you know your mouth well enough you will be in a better position to understand the way it works and take better care of it. The oral cavity needs special care and attention.
An oral hygiene routine that keeps all parts of the mouth healthy consists in brushing your teeth twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth with dental floss. To keep those taste buds sharp, brush your tongue regularly as well.
It’s important to schedule regular dental appointments and professional cleanings, which remove the tartar and plaque your toothbrush can’t reach.
Although having a pretty smile is important to a lot of people, a healthy mouth is much more important. Keeping all the parts of your mouth in good working order won’t just ensure good dental health, but a healthy body too.
Oral health is essential to general health and well-being at every stage of life. Oral conditions have an impact on overall health and disease. Bacteria from the mouth can cause infection in other parts of the body when the immune system has been compromised by disease or medical treatments.
Diabetes
Researchers have found a link a between type 2 diabetes and periodontitis, or gum disease. One reason could be that when infections in your mouth get bad enough, they can lead to low-grade inflammation throughout your body, which in turn lowers your sugar-processing abilities.
Ref: American Diabetes Association, Diabetic Forecast Mar 2016
Heart Disease
As with diabetes, the connection between poor oral health and cardiovascular conditions has been recognized – the two are often found together. Small amounts of bacteria enter your bloodstream while you’re chewing. “Bad” bacteria from an infected mouth may lodge itself inside blood vessels, ultimately causing dangerous blockages.
Ref: American Heart Association: “Dental Health and Heart Health”.
Pregnancy complications
For many pregnant women, gum infections stem from the fluctuating hormone levels that come with pregnancy. Scientists believe that gum disease or inflammation in the mouth possibly triggers an increase in a chemical compound called prostaglandin, which induces early labour. Research has also found a relationship between periodontal disease and low birth weight.
Ref: Saini R, Saini S, Saini S. Periodontitis: A Risk for delivery of premature labor and low birth weight infants; J Nat Sci Biol Med 2010 July-Dec;1(1):40-42.
Pneumonia
A study of elderly participants found that the number who developed pneumonia was higher in patients with periodontal infection than in those free from it. Even in a healthy mouth there are lots of bacteria, but bacteria in a not-healthy mouth can get aspirated into the lungs, causing pneumonia or aggravating COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. An improvement in oral health can lead to a reduction in respiratory infection.
Ref: J Can Den Assoc 2002; 68(6):340-5
Osteoporosis
Researchers have suggested that a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. Studies suggest that osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased, which means the teeth no longer have a solid foundation. Ref: Dentistryiq.com
Therefore, oral health can no longer be ignored in designing overall national health strategies. It is essential to protect natural teeth from decay and periodontal disease, and focus on early detection and prevention of these conditions.
It is possible to become sick by using a germy toothbrush. According to researchers at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, there can be as many as 1.2 million bacteria on a single toothbrush. They have found the flu virus, staph bacteria, E. coli, yeast fungus and strep virus hanging out on used toothbrushes. Toothbrushes have the ability to be infected by a wide range of microorganisms, including viruses which can cause the common cold to even herpes. Pneumonia-causing bacteria also are found on a toothbrush. The germ problem lies in how and where we store our toothbrushes. Bathrooms are the perfect place for bacteria to grow — they are moist and steamy. In addition, most toothbrushes sit next to the toilet.
However, with the help of our immune system and everyday good hygiene habits, it is unlikely that your toothbrush will make you sick. But, there is still a chance for these bacteria to break through our defences.
To avoid a germy toothbrush, put these helpful tips into practice:
Plaque is one of the most common complaints that often makes people take a trip to the dentists. Plaque forms when decay-causing bacteria attach to the surface of tooth enamel, forming a sticky film. This can build up and harden around tooth and gum margins. The bacteria living in the plaque release acids that weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. The bacteria and their acids also raise the risk of gum inflammation.
Bacteria feed on sugary and high carbohydrate foods. Low-sugar diets, containing a balance of complex carbohydrate, proteins and oils, are linked to lower levels of dental plaque. Here’s the list of the best plaque-busters that can help keep your mouth cavity-free.
• Toothpaste – Choose a toothpaste containing ingredients designed to prevent plaque. An anti-bacterial substance called triclosan in toothpastes claims to reduces plaque. Some others contain a plaque-dissolving formula that breaks the bonds attaching plaque to the tooth surface.
• Polyphenols – Green tea, red wine and cranberry juice contain substances called polyphenols that reduce plaque-formation and stop cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth. Polyphenols can also help prevent oral bacteria from producing acids that dissolve tooth enamel.
• Olive oil – Limit plaque-formation and strengthen teeth by adding olive oil to salads and cooking. Olive oil contains oleuropein, an anti-bacterial compound that stops ‘gram negative’ bacteria – the type that cause gum disease and bone loss – from attaching to teeth. Olive oil also covers the teeth with a film of fat molecules that prevents plaque from forming. Other dietary fats and oils also help to neutralize acids produced by bacterial plaque.
• Plaque-busting gum – Chew on gums containing Xylitol or Sorbitol, sugar substitutes that have a plaque-reducing effect. Xylitol cannot be utilized by oral bacteria and they starve. As the bacteria die off, there is a reduction in decay.
• Cleaning tongue – Daily brushing routine should be inclusive of tongue also, apart from the teeth and gums. This is because your tongue has many tiny crevices, where plaque and bacteria can get accumulated easily, causing even bad breath. So, make sure to clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You will be rewarded will better oral hygiene, which includes fresher breath.
• Drink lots of water – Water can help you avoid plaque buildup, by washing out the bacteria from your mouth. So, make sure that you drink plenty of water after a meal or a snack, even taking care to swish it around a bit in your mouth.
• Professional help – While plaque-reducing toothpastes, gums and drinks can slow the rate of plaque formation, they are unlikely to eliminate it completely. At home, experts recommend regular flossing to clean out food from between teeth. An electric toothbrush will dislodge plaque more effectively than a regular one. However, if it builds up beneath the gums, it raises the risk of gum disease significantly. And the best way to prevent that is by seeing the dentist or dental hygienist who can remove the deposits with special equipment.
With correct brushing technique optimal results can be achieved with both electric and manual toothbrushes. If someone is doing really well with a manual brush and not having any problems with plaque or brushing too hard, there is little to gain from switching to an electric toothbrush.
When electric brush may be better?
An electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. An electric toothbrush designed especially for children with colorful pictures and music can make it easier to get kids brushing their teeth. Its bristle movement might even help you remove more plaque from your teeth and improve your gum health.
If you choose to use an electric toothbrush, make sure the toothbrush is comfortable to hold and easy to use. Your dentist might suggest a model with a rotating-oscillating head or a head that uses ultrasonic pulses to move the bristles. Other features, such as adjustable power levels, timers and rechargeable batteries, are optional. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about when to replace the head to ensure the toothbrush continues working effectively.
Whether you choose an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, remember that what’s most important is daily brushing and flossing. Move around the teeth gradually in a systematic fashion. Don’t just brush randomly in all sorts of places, start in one area and work your way around. Do it in a systematic fashion so you know you are going to be thorough.
No matter which toothbrush you choose, the rules for maintaining oral hygiene are the same and brushing technique will always be of the utmost importance.
Dental Hygienist Mel Nelson explains Fluoride and its importance in oral health through this video.
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Maintenance of your teeth is a lifelong process. And if you add some bad habits into this equation, it can make the whole process even more difficult. You should eliminate the following habits from your life if you want to maintain a healthy smile.
Get in touch with a dental hygienist to know more about dental care.
Mouth sores or mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions which usually appear on the inside of the cheeks, on the lips, on the tongue, and on gums. The first sign of the sore may be a tingling, burning sensation inside the mouth. They can occur either singly or in clusters. They are usually white or yellow in color, surrounded by red halos. Usually they heal within 7 to 10 days.
Common Causes of Mouth Sores:
Home Remedies for Mouth Sores:
Different products are available to provide relief in different ways. Gels help to relieve the pain, redness, and swelling associated with mouth ulcers. They may also contain ingredients to numb the pain. Mouthwashes help to prevent bacterial infections and reduce the redness and swelling of the ulcers. They also help to treat hard-to-reach ulcers and keep the mouth clean when brushing teeth becomes too painful. Pastes help to form a protective layer over the mouth ulcer, allowing it to heal and at the same time, relieves pain, redness, and swelling.
Sometimes, the sore may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, if you notice that the sores:
You should consult your nearest dentist.
When it comes to your teeth nothing is more important than proper dental health and dental hygiene. Without proper oral hygiene your teeth can break down and decay causing many problems including tooth loss. Flossing is such an essential part of dental care. There are several health benefits to maintaining proper dental care and flossing. Without proper flossing, your teeth will a buildup with plaque which leads to tartar and several types of gum disease. Not flossing can also cause an increase of cavities in the areas your tooth brush cannot reach. Without flossing your teeth can start to stain which keeps your teeth from looking bright, white and clean.
Dental floss is a tool you should use daily to remove food and bacteria build-up from in-between your teeth. Floss, which is commonly made out of plastic or nylon, is a thin thread that you place between your teeth and pull in order to clean the gaps. As you pull on the thread, you remove food and debris.
Benefits of Flossing:
Remove plaque
Prevent gum disease
Prevent cavities
Better smelling breath
Whiter teeth
