unfortunately even in today’s modern era people are not well aware about the importance of oral health and mistakenly believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or when something goes wrong in their mouth, but they are actually missing a bigger picture. Unhealthy teeth and gums can lead to pain syndromes and systemic disorders.

WHY ORAL HEALTH MATTERS?

Oral health is not now just restricted to teeth and gums. Recent studies indicate that there is a close relation between oral health and general health. In response, World health organization WHO has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention effort as “the risks to health are linked”

PROPER MAINTENANCE OF TEETH

In order to maintain proper dentition for longer period of time you must take care of various factors and must adopt habits that help you to achieve this goal.

1. BRUSHING OF TEETH TWICE A DAY

the most important factor that guarantee your healthy dentition for longer period is brushing of your teeth two times a day.
Proper brushing of front (incisal) and back (molars) teeth must be ensured-don’t forget the back sides of your teeth. Brushing regularly not only ensures healthy teeth and gums but also gives you fresh breath, but avoid brushing too soon after eating. After taking meal acid content in mouth is increased and brushing in such acidic environment can cause damage to your enamel and makes it temporarily softer. So after eating wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing.

2. FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE

Make sure that toothpaste you are using contain enough amount of Fluoride in it. Check to make sure it has 1350-1500ppm of fluoride in order to be effective, as below 1000ppm fluoride will be ineffective at protecting your teeth. Fluoride protects the enamel and decrease the possibilities of cavities.

3. SCRAP YOUR TONGUE

just brushing your teeth does not fulfil all demands of oral hygiene. Cleaning of to tongue is as important as cleaning if teeth. The surface of our tongue is uneven and many bacteria and food particles often get trapped there. These bacteria can easily gain access to your teeth. So gently scrap your tongue by a tongue scrapper to avoid injury. Now-a-days many tooth brushes contain tongue scrapper at their back side which can help you to clean your tongue.

4. USE MOUTH WASH

Prefer mouthwash which contain fluoride in it. Using mouthwash after brushing helps fluoride content to reach every corner of your teeth. It’s better to swish mouthwash for two to three minutes to allow it to thoroughly coat all areas of your teeth.
Salt solution can also serve as a natural mouthwash. Mixing half teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water can be used as a mouthwash. Swallowing of mouthwash must be avoided because it can upset the stomach.

5. FLOSS DAILY

Flossing is useful in cleaning the proximal surfaces of your teeth (surfaces between teeth). This is important because you cannot effectively brush there and hence food particles and bacteria are easily trapped there which in turn causes plaque formation.

HOW TO USE A FLOSS.        

Use 30cm of floss. Insert it between your teeth and curve it around one of the teeth. Move it up and down along the side of tooth then curve around the other tooth and repeat. Be gentle when you go below the gum line. If you are new to flossing, your gums may bleed, but after few days this will stop.

PROTECT YOUR TEETH WITH A HEALTHY DIET

1. Avoid STICKY FOOD as these foods are responsible for coating a thin sugar layer on your teeth which is then difficult to remove and can be the possible cause of tooth caries.
2. Limit the consumption of sugary food such as sodas, pastries, Ice creams, candies and highly sweetened tea or coffee because as it breaks down it erodes the enamel on your teeth and the possibilities to get cavities and tooth decay increases.
3. Scrap your teeth clean with crunchy fruits or veggie.
4. Avoid smoking as it stains your teeth yellow, give you bad breath and make you more vulnerable for gum diseases or mouth cancer.
5. Reduce the amount of alcohol as it damages the enamel of your teeth.

GET A PROFESSIONAL CARE FOR YOUR TEETH

• Let the dentist polish your teeth twice a year.
• Visit your dentist quite often for proper checkup as oral diseases can lead to many systemic disorders when ignored for longer period.

ORAL HEALTH AND CARDIAC FAILURE

some researchers suggest that gum diseases may be a more serious risk factor than high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol. Gender and age studies have suggest that people who have gum disease seems to be at a high risk for heart attack and congestive Heart Failure because bacteria released during dental cleaning travels through a blood stream and to the areas that help pump blood to other organs.

ORAL HEALTH AND DIABETES

Diabetic patients are more prone to oral infections. Studies have highlighted that oral infections and periodontal (gums) diseases are more severe on Diabetic patients than non Diabetic patients, especially diabetics who do not have control over their blood sugar level tend to have more dental issues.

YOUR DENTIST CAN CONFIRM OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease that decrease bone density and weaken bones. Female sufferers are kre than male ones. Most individuals dispensed with osteoporosis are not diagnosed unless a fracture occurs. In addition people are unaware that oral health problems such as tooth loss and gum disease are early signs that help the dentist to suspect osteoporosis according to report published in the May/June 2004.

So your dental health is equally important to your systemic health. Adopt a life style in which u make oral hygiene your habit. Because healthy teeth are not only going to help you enjoy delicious meals for a longer period of time but a perfect smile also gives you confidence to deal with people.. HAPPILY