Brush twice daily, oral hygiene is important

Bad breath is not the only reason why you should take care of your teeth. According to experts, tooth and gum decay does not only affect your dentition, it could also lead to some serious health problems like cancer of the mouth.

Physicians have linked poor dental hygiene to other health problems which include heart attack, diabetes and dementia. In fact, they say, poor oral hygiene can even jeopardise your overall health!

Many studies have found a link between periodontal disease and heart disease, with people who have gum disease more likely to also have poor heart health, including heart attacks.

How possible is it be that poor oral care leads to heart attack or cancer? Consultant Dental Surgeon, Dr. Olurotimi Olojede, says because 50 per cent of the bacteria in the body are in the mouth, they often escape into the bloodstream and injure major organs when neglected.

Olojede says the symptoms of many life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and cancer often start in the mouth, and they could have been prevented with good oral hygiene practices.

According to him, poor oral health can lead to low sperm count in men and also increase the chances of a woman having a premature baby or low birth weight babies.

More than 90 per cent of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime, according to the International Dental Federation statistics. Experts attribute increasing incidences of dental diseases to poor awareness on the dangers it could pose to their health.

He recommends at least yearly visit to a dentist as a means of preventing other health complications.

 Olojede notes, “Many are quick to visit the hospital when they are sick; but how many people would go and see a dentist when they have tooth problems? They would rather wait.

“Just the way you service your car, make sure you service your mouth by going to the dentist at least twice a year. The general attitude is such that people wait for problems to happen. You do not have to wait till you have tooth ache or the gum is bleeding, and infection has occurred before you visit the dentist.”

Another reason why one should take oral health seriously is halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath. Olojede says many people suffering from mouth odour have poor oral habit and are also ignorant of what to do to suppress it.

He says, “Many do not brush properly. How many people brush their tongue? It is not only the teeth that should be brushed. Coated tongues can also result in mouth odour. They should also use fluoride toothpaste which contains active ingredients that can kill some bacteria in the mouth, thereby reducing the offensive odour.”

For proper oral hygiene, Dr. Victor Uwabuike recommends that people should brush twice a day — before they go to bed and early in the morning to remove bacteria. He also advises that a toothbrush should be changed every three months.

Uwabuike says, “Change your tooth brush before the bristles scatter. When you use a toothbrush for more than three months, the bristles will have been damaged, they may bruise your enamel, tooth and gum.”

Taking sugary foods, alcohol and smoking can compromise your oral health, according Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Segun Akpata. He notes that the residues of these snacks could form bacteria which attack the teeth and gums.

Akpata states, “To avoid tooth decay, one must watch the nature of food that one eats. We have to control the level of sugar, sweets, chocolates and cakes we eat by reducing snacking in-between meals.

“Dental care is not just about brushing the teeth. Oral hygiene is important to prevent cancer of the mouth, too. Smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption are lifestyle choices we should avoid in order to prevent oral cancer and tooth decay.”

The experts have said it, the condition of your teeth and gums is associated with a host of other health issues that involve your hormones and your heart. Here’s how to keep smiling strong at any age.

30s: Heed your hormones

If you’re pregnant, you might not feel like dragging yourself to the dentist, but you should do it. Higher levels of estrogen and particularly progesterone can result in puffy, tender gums that are vulnerable to minor infection.

Flossing is especially important, experts say, because it helps cut the risk of periodontitis, a more serious gum infection that can endanger more than your teeth: some studies have linked untreated periodontal disease to preterm and low-birth-weight babies.

Perfect your stroke

Many adults never learnt how to brush and floss properly, says Irwin Smigel, DDS, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. Use a soft brush that has rounded nylon bristles and make gentle circular motions at a 45-degree angle to your gum line.

If flossing hurts or makes your gums bleed, keep working at it.The more you floss, the tougher your gums become.

Stop smoking

Smokers get periodontal disease at two to three times the rate of nonsmokers.Smokers also don’t heal as well after getting treatment for these gum infection.

Ditch soft drinks

Even sugar-loaded and sugar-free soda can destroy your pearly white teeth, thanks to the high acid content of most carbonated beverages. Acid weakens enamel and makes it softer.

40s: Book your appointment

No matter how busy you are, make time for the dentist because he can spot signs of serious illness that shouldn’t be ignored. For example, gum disease can be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes.

Plus, oral cancer is more common after 40; your dentist will look for symptoms, such as unusual swelling or sores, as well as painless lesions.

Consider a renovation

The dental work you had done in your teens may need to be replaced. If you’ve had lots of fillings or crowns, get them checked, because they do wear out. A cracked or chipped filling can create a space for bacteria to collect, causing decay.

Beware of over bleaching

Once you achieve the shade you want, you can touch up once or twice a year.Any more than that can be damaging. While evidence that bleaching erodes enamel is inconclusive, it may increase sensitivity. And the truth is, there’s a limit to how much whitening you can achieve as you get older.

Culled: PUNCHNG