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A healthy smile can do more than get you in the door; it might just keep you away from the doctor.
According to emerging research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, failing to keep up with basic dental care can lead to issues associated with overall body health, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and preterm, low birth weight deliveries.
“A lot of people might understand the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, but not realize we're talking about a bigger picture than that,” said Dr. Mark Barry, associate dean of clinical affairs at MUSC College of Dental Medicine. “With a healthy mouth, you can decrease your chances of getting a number of systemic diseases. There is a definitive link between oral health care and the rest of your body.”
To encourage folks to recognize that good oral hygiene enhances the way a person looks, feels and functions and can help prevent serious long-term health issues, the Dental Trade Alliance launched an awareness campaign in 2009 called “Oral Healthcare Can't Wait” to communicate the importance of routine dental check-ups and consistent home care.
Highlighting common symptoms that most people ignore due to strained budgets and schedules — bleeding gums, sensitivity to hot beverages, jaw pain and bad breath — the campaign seeks to drive home the message that dental problems do not get better or go away when ignored; they just become more complicated and costly.
In 2000, a report of the U.S. Surgeon General found that children lose an estimated 50 million school hours each year to dental-related illnesses. In turn, adults lose an estimated 164 million hours of work because of preventable dental problems. By 2017, it's anticipated that Americans will spend more than $160 billion on dental services. And these figures just scratch the surface of how giving oral health the brush-off can hurt your pocket and personal life in the long run.
To prevent the need for costly dental work and promote a healthier lifestyle, Barry recommends a child visit a pediatric dentist at 3 months of age to assess any developmental issues and then continue to see a dentist ideally every six months, even as adults.
“One of the things dentistry has done well is prevention. Through routine check-ups, which include cleanings, examinations and radiographs, the amount of dentistry required on patients has decreased,” he said. “That coupled with brushing, flossing and the use of fluoride in toothpaste every day would put me out of business.”
For older adults, who are at higher risk for gum disease, mouth cancer and tooth decay because of exposed roots, Barry said it's especially important to maintain regular dentist appointments to avoid serious health problems and save smiles.
“You know the expression, 'He looks long in the tooth,' refers to someone looking old because of gum recession? As we get older, we are more susceptible to gum disease, which leads to tooth loss,” Barry said. “With all the technological advances we've had since they were kids, older adults really have no reason to fear coming to the dentist anymore. Dentistry today is relatively pain free. We're here to help, not hurt.”
5 tips for healthy teeth
- Say cheese. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats and nuts. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth. The best beverage choices include water (especially fluoridated water), milk and unsweetened tea.
- Opt for cinnamon... and Gummi Bears? A recent study of the cinnamon-flavored gum Big Red found that cinnamon might have breath-odor fighting abilities. Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up. In fact, an ingredient in the flavoring appears to actually decrease the bacteria in your mouth. The only problem is that sugar gums are bad for your teeth, so stick to sugarless cinnamon-flavored gum instead. In California, researchers are trying to make Gummi Bears into a dental aid by making them with xylitol, a sugar substitute that increases salivation and works to prevent bacteria from replicating.
- Keep it clean. To keep your toothbrush as germ-free as possible, avoid using toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria. After rinsing it thoroughly with tap water, store your toothbrush upright in a holder and away from other people's brushes. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months.
- White out. Strips and other over-the-counter whiteners do not damage teeth or burn gum tissue, but the trays (to hold the peroxide solution) you buy may can contain an acidic, unbuffered solution, which could damage enamel. The best tray-type lightening is provided by the dentist, who can control the solution and timing.
Source: www.webmd.com
Did you know?
If you want to hide your identity, don't stick out your tongue. Like fingerprints, everyone also has a unique tongue print. Each person's set of teeth is also unique — much like their fingerprints — even in identical twins.
Helping Beaufort County kids
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides free dental examinations and preventive treatments to underserved, school age children in Beaufort County. The 40-foot dental clinic on wheels travels to elementary schools, some preschools and the migrant worker program year-round to provide exams, cleanings and preventive treatments at no direct cost.
For more information, call 912-356-5520.
