Oral Health
Teeth & Gum Stats: Good oral care prevents cavities & gum disease. Unfortunately, individual oral health has not improved over the past 20 years. 90% of adults experience tooth decay and 40% of adults experience gum disease (infections/inflammation). More than 50% of children and adolescents have at least one cavity. A simple and inexpensive way to improve oral health & decrease dental expenses is to brush and floss every day.
Mouth Trouble: Pay attention to early warning signs that your oral health may be compromised. Common signs of poor oral health are bleeding gums, tooth decay, chronic bad breath, loose teeth, gum recession, chronic mouth sores, toothache, infections and jaw swelling. Don’t ignore any of these warning signs. Seek help from a dentist & work with your dentist to improve your oral hygiene.
Oral Links: Gum disease is a risk factor for nearly 60 other adverse health conditions. Some of these interrelated medical conditions are heart disease, stroke, endocarditis, pneumonia, pregnancy complications (premature birth & low birth weight), diabetes, osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS & Alzheimer’s disease. Untreated tooth decay & gum disease can lead to infections that can spread to other parts of the body. Be hyper-vigilant regarding your oral hygiene if you have any interrelated medical conditions.
Good Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene consists of brushing your teeth two times a day for two minutes. Replace your toothbrush if the bristles fall out or are bent. To prevent plaque build-up and gum disease, floss once a day. Sugary foods & beverages feed the bacteria on your teeth which turns into acid that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Visit a dentist at least twice a year and if you have financial constraints, be even more vigilant at brushing and flossing to reduce out-of-pocket dental expenses.
Oral Cancer: Most oral cancers are related to high-risk behaviors. High risk behaviors, such as smoking, chewing tobacco & excessive alcohol use, contribute to the development of oral cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexual transmitted infection (STI), also contributes to oral cancer development. If you are at risk for an STI, please consult with your doctor about the pros & cons of the HPV vaccine.
Interdental Cleaning: Brushing alone only reaches about two-thirds of the teeth’s surface and only 30% of Americans floss once per day. Cleaning between teeth (interdental cleaning) is essential and eliminates bad breath, debris, bacteria and plaque in hard-to-reach places. Although there are various interdental cleaning tools, (water jets, interdental brushes, floss picks, waxed/unwaxed floss), each tool has pros & cons related to individual needs. Please consult with your dentist regarding which tool is best for you. And remember, the most important tools are the ones you use daily and clean the entire teeth’s surface.