Dental Health--Good dental health is important for your total well-being

Good dental health is important for your total well-being. I cannot emphasize this enough. The condition of the tissues and structures of your mouth affect your general physical condition, ability to chew and speak, appearance, and personal relations. Future articles will focus on dental insurance, dental surgery, diseases and dental health care and products.

To help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, guard your oral health by practicing proper brushing and flossing and see your dentist regularly. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the proper brushing technique. Also, you may want to ask your dentist about additional ways to prevent tooth decay, such as sealants for teeth and fluoride treatments.

Some electric toothbrushes can clean better than manual brushes. People with handicaps and young children may find an electric toothbrush easier to use. Ask your dentist which type of brush will clean your teeth more effectively.

Flossing is the best way to remove food and plaque from between the teeth, an area the toothbrush cannot reach.

Mouthwashes are generally used to temporarily freshen bad breath. Some mouthwashes may help reduce plaque levels. Fluoride mouthwashes also help protect the teeth against decay. If your breath odor is not caused by food, such as garlic or onions, it may be a warning sign of decay, gum abscess, or a medical problem. Ask your dentist to determine why you have bad breath.

Preventing Decay through Nutrition:

Decay occurs only when the inside of the mouth is acidic. This happens when you eat starchy or sugary foods (carbohydrates). You can help prevent decay by avoiding highly sugary or sticky foods or brushing your teeth right after you eat these foods. Rinsing with water after you eat or drink sugar-containing foods can also help reduce the amount of acid and help wash away food plaque from the teeth which all promote good total well-being.

Snacks to avoid include:

Candy, cookies, cake, pie soda pop and other sugary liquids, gum sweetened with sugar, including high fructose corn syrup, crackers, breadsticks, chips, dried fruits; raisins are not only sweet but also sticky and cling to the teeth.

Snacks to choose include:

Fresh fruit; however, oranges, pineapples, and peaches are high in natural sugar and acid (frequent fruit snacks may damage your teeth), fresh vegetables, cheese, unsalted nuts, unsweetened fruit juices, popcorn (unsalted), hard-boiled eggs,and bean dips.

A healthy diet is the foundation of total body well-being, including your mouth, gums and teeth. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains is healthy for teeth and gums. Foods such as raw apples help clean the teeth and make good snacks. Milk is a good snack and a good mealtime drink. Drink it with sweet foods to help wash sugar from your mouth.

Chewing sugarless gum after meals promotes production of saliva, a natural mouth rinse, and helps neutralize tooth-decaying acids in plaque. It is good to brush your teeth after eating, but if you can't, chewing sugarless gum is an alternative. Chewing gums sweetened with Xylitol can reduce and control the amount of bacteria that cause decay.

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