One of the first things people see is your smile… but keeping your teeth and gums healthy can keep you smiling for reasons you may not have thought of. Find out how oral health affects your health and how to best care for your teeth and gums.
Healthy mouths, healthier bodies - is there a link?
Here's a reason to smile: taking care of your gums and teeth can prevent health problems and ward off complications from some existing conditions.
Do your body a favour. Go to the dentist. Research shows there may be a link between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as well as premature and low-birth-weight babies. Although scientists are only just beginning to understand this link, dentists are encouraging people to make oral health care a regular part of a healthy lifestyle.
Good health requires good nutrition, but if you don't have strong teeth and healthy gums, your ability to eat properly is diminished. Your choice of foods becomes restricted, and you may have difficulties getting all the nutrients you need.
And it only makes sense that chronic infections in the mouth, as are common with people with gingivitis or gum disease, puts strain on the body's immune system.
To help people learn more about preventing oral disease, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) urges Canadians to talk to their dentist during National Oral Health Month, which occurs every year in April.
Prevention of gum and tooth problems
For your mouth as for your car, it makes good sense to do some maintenance on a regular basis rather than let a problem grow out of hand from neglect. Follow the Canadian Dental Association's Five-Point Prevention Plan to keep youth teeth and gums healthy.
Five-Point Prevention Plan
- Brush your teeth carefully at least once every 24 hours.
It takes about 2.5 to 3 minutes to do the job right.
- Floss your teeth daily.
Flossing cleans those areas your toothbrush simply can't reach between the teeth and under the gumline.
- Eat, drink, but be wary.
Eat a well-balanced diet! Avoid sweet foods and drinks especially between meals. And please don't smoke. Smoking can promote serious dental problems like gum disease and oral cancer.
- Check your gums.
Check regularly for these signs of gum disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss: red, puffy, or tender gums; gums that bleed even slightly when you brush or floss; persistent bad breath. See your dentist if any occur.
- Don't wait until it hurts.
See your dentist for preventive checkups and professional cleanings. Regular visits are the best way to prevent trouble and unnecessary expense.
Gum disease
Did you think that hockey is the leading cause of tooth loss in Canada? No, it's gum disease! No one wants to talk about it, but the gums play an important role in keeping your teeth for a lifetime.
9 out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives. It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a real problem. That's why it is so important to prevent gum disease before it becomes serious.
Gum disease begins when plaque adheres at and below the visible edge of your gums. If plaque is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus).
There are two main kinds of gum diseases: gingivitis and periodontitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may be slightly red, or you may notice nothing at all. In cases of more advanced gingivitis, your gums may become puffy and bleed during brushing. Periodontis is a more serious form of gum disease involving the bone that supports your teeth. Over time, as a result of the bone loss caused by periodontitis, you may be at risk of losing one or more teeth.
Prevention is the most important factor in the fight against gum disease. It is essential to keep your teeth and gums clean. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day and floss at least once every 24 hours.
Using proper brushing and flossing techniques is equally important. Be sure to see your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and checkups so that he or she can detect any early signs of gum disease and provide appropriate treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry
Getting that Hollywood smile is becoming more and more popular. What options are available, and what do you need to know before deciding whether cosmetic dentistry is right for you?
Wishing you had a dazzling white smile? Tired of your stained, crooked, or chipped teeth, or want to remove a mouthful of metal? More and more people are making cosmetic changes to their teeth. But before you commit, you need to understand your options.
There are many dental procedures that can be done for cosmetic reasons, including bleaching, crowns, veneers, and orthodontics. Choosing what's right for you starts with getting more information. And the first place you should go is to your dentist.
Your dentist can make sure that you start with healthy teeth and gums that are free of cavities or other problems that could prevent you from getting the results you want from your cosmetic procedure. Some dentists perform cosmetic procedures as part of their practices and others will refer you to an appropriate dentist to perform the work.
Before the work starts, find out how long it will take and how you will feel during the procedure. And make sure to check whether there is more than one way to get the final result. Some procedures, such as tooth bleaching or whitening, can be done in the dentist's chair, or you may be able to whiten your teeth at home using a special tray the dentist will make that will fit your teeth exactly. Home bleaching of the teeth can take 1-2 weeks, and the amount of time the bleaching solution has to remain on your teeth also varies.
You'll also need to know whether there will be any pain or sensitivity associated with the procedure. Some people find that the bleaching process can cause increased sensitivity to hot and cold. Ask the dentist if there are ways to prevent and manage this effect.
You also need to have reasonable expectations as to the results of treatment. Ask to see pictures of actual patients and find out how long your newly beautiful smile will last. Most procedures will eventually have to be redone at intervals that maybe be as short at 6 months to a year for bleaching or as long as 10 to 15 years for crowns.
Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by employer dental plans. You need to find out the cost of the procedure up front and determine how you will finance it. Ask your dental office if they offer financing packages.
Special thanks to the Canadian Dental Association for their help with this article.
© MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use: The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources
Health Canada - Oral Health
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Canadian Dental Association - April is National Oral Health Month
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Health Canada - The Effects of Oral Health on Overall Health
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Ontario Dental Association
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Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - The Children In Need of Treatment (CINOT) Dental Program
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