Source : Ebony Davis

How well a person takes care of his or her mouth can have an overall impact on the individual’s health, according to officials.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research found that not only does the mouth and face reflect signs and symptoms of health and disease, but that research supports a connection between oral infections and other conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Jan Taylor, a Dothan Periodontics & Implants hygienist and dental assistant course instructor at Wallace Community College, said the degree of bone loss from bacteria-related inflammation could also affect a person’s eating habits.

“It goes back to structural health, like building a house,” Taylor said.

“You need a good, solid foundation as your source, and when you don’t have that, and especially if you wear dentures or partials that don’t fit, it tends to affect how you eat.”

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, which was updated last year, showed nearly half of adults aged 30 and older had some form of periodontal diseases, which relate to bacterial infections and inflammation in a person’s gums, ligaments or oral bones.

Patricia Ward, a registered dental assistant with the Dothan Dental Group, said her team educates patients on the bacteria, or plaque, that lives in the mouth and how it contributes to gum disease, decay and cavities.

She encouraged people to reduce their amount of sugar intake and soft drinks, including diet sodas, which contain phosphoric acid.

“Even some clear sodas will literally eat away at the teeth,” she said.

“You want to eliminate the amounts of those things contacting your teeth.”

Ward also encouraged residents to brush at least twice a day and to floss at least once a day. She said residents can also use an anti-microbial mouthwash to kill bacteria on the gums and the cheeks.

“It takes a full two minutes of brushing at your gum line to remove all that soft plaque every day,” she said.

“Most people don’t floss and the ones that do don’t understand how to floss. We show you how to wrap the floss around the tooth and go under the gum line.”

Dr. Daniel Pittman of Dothan Periodontics & Implants recommended residents have their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

“It’s a huge health benefit on top of brushing twice a day and flossing your teeth, because then you can catch disease, decay and bone loss problems early, before losing a tooth,” he said.

“We have some patients who come four times a year, but it’s imperative to go to a dentist at least every six months. Getting the bacteria off your teeth by taking preventative measures can really save you a lot of heartache.”

Dothan Periodontics & Implants hygienist Joy Kallies said flossing is important because a majority of issues with the mouth are between the teeth.

“Bleeding gums is not normal,” she said.

Terri Sims, also of Dothan Periodontics & Implants, said visiting a dentist creates a partnership between a patient’s self-dental care and professional care.

“It takes what you do at home and what your dentist does for you at the office to keep your mouth healthy,” she said.

“It’s a team effort.”

———————————-

Five Habits that Destroy Your Smile

1. Not flossing

Flossing removes the cavity-causing bacteria left behind from food particles that get stuck between teeth.

2. Brushing too soon after eating

Brushing your teeth too soon after eating and drinking acidic foods and beverages can cause more damage because you are essentially brushing the acid into the teeth, not getting rid of it. Instead, rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and beverages and then wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.

3. Not replacing your toothbrush often enough

Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective, but they also harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Toothbrushes should be changed every three to four months.

4. Excessively bleaching your teeth

Overzealous bleaching can cause your teeth to look unnaturally white and increase tooth sensitivity.

5. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush

A hard-bristled toothbrush coupled with an aggressive brushing technique can cause irreversible damage to your gums. Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, in a circular motion.

Source: Academy of General Dentistry, knowyourteeth.com

—————-

Daily Tips for Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Flossing

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

• Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.

• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions.

• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

Using an antimicrobrial mouth rinse

Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses also help reduce and prevent tooth decay.

Source: knowyourteeth.com

—————————-

Warning signs of periodontal diseases (oral gum and bone infections, like gingivitis):

Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away

Red or swollen gums

Tender or bleeding gums

Painful chewing

Loose teeth

Sensitive teeth

Gums that have pulled away from your teeth

Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Any change in the fit of partial dentures