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good page mom, and thank you. i will put more action into my teeth. and thanks for getting me braces. I do have nice teeth, and your right, i should take good care of them. lol. and i will. :*
-11/13 2012 1630 albany 12208
David, please take care of your teeth:
1. Best practices in dental health:
The most prevalent human disease is cavities. Cavities are caused from the action of bacteria, which literally eat through your teeth, and can only be treated by a dentist by filling the hole in your teeth with molten metals, usually at exorbitant prices and usually very painful. Protecting against cavities is as simple as brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist twice a year. Failure to take care of your teeth will lead to a painful agonizing experience at the dentist later on in life. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Periodontal disease is the second most prevalent disease in humans, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums and the bone supporting the gums. It is caused by plaque that builds up and sticks to the surfaces of the teeth. Plaque is a soft, colorless film of bacteria constantly forming on your teeth. It combines with sugar and other carbohydrates to form acids. The acids eat right through tooth enamel which causes cavities. Only the oral hygienist can remove plaque, and it is recommended that you visit the dentist for a cleaning every six months. Any delay in your scheduled visits is a chance for bacteria to build up in your mouth and begin causing cavities.
Calculus, or tartar, is a hard deposit on the surface of the tooth. Minerals in saliva combine
with plaque on your teeth and then harden over time into calculus. Calculus is a good place for plaque to build up, which of course, causes periodontal disease. Calculus cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. It can only be removed during regular cleanings by your oral hygienist, also known as dental prophylaxis. During these cleanings, the hygienist will remove plaque, tartar and check the general condition of your mouth.
It is critical to the health of your teeth to see your dentist twice a year. AT LEAST Brush, floss and rinse with a mouthwash to prevent cavities. Try to carry a toothbrush and mouthwash with you, so you can clean your teeth after meals on the go. Some crunchy foods can clean the teeth such as apples, carrots, celery and other raw fruits and vegetables. Keeping away from sugar and sugary food and beverage will help defend against plaque. Sugar is easily consumed by bacteria, and will accelerate the onset of cavities. Eliminate sweets and you will have a much better result in the end.
Remove plaque to preserve your teeth:
Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including where toothbrushes can't reach. Many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious sources of plaque, but there are others that you might not realize can cause harm. Starches—such as bread, crackers, and cereal—also cause acids to form. Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding. This can lead to gum disease, in which gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that fill with bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.
The best way to remove plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces. Brush your teeth twice per day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your toothbrush should fit your mouth and allow you to reach all areas easily. Use an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay. Clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners to remove plaque from between the teeth, where the toothbrush can't reach. Flossing is essential to prevent gum disease.
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.
Use a mouth rinse as well
A mouth rinse, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses also help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Epsom salts may also be used as a mouth rinse. Green tea is known to help aid in a healthy mouth.
2. Other health issues associated with poor dental health:
Having poor oral health is ALSO associated with coronary heart disease, according to an article in the Feb. 16 advance online publication of Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers evaluated 256 Finnish cardiac patients and 250 Finnish noncardiac patients with similar demographic characteristics for five oral diseases—pericoronitis, gingivitis, missing teeth, root remnants and dental caries—to create the asymptotic dental score for determining cardiac risk.
They then used a mathematical model to determine each oral disease’s association with coronary heart disease, select the disease that had the most significant associations, and score the strengths of each disease’s contributions and weigh them to determine how much of a collective impact they had on coronary heart disease.
Among the five oral diseases, researchers found that the strongest predictor of coronary disease was pericoronitis, followed by root remnants, gingivitis, dental caries and missing teeth.
Researchers also found that a poor oral health diagnosis was a stronger predictor of heart disease than were other markers, such as high levels of the clotting factor fibrinogen, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or high triglycerides.
According to lead author Dr. Sok-Ja Janket, Boston University School of Dental Medicine and Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, this study suggests oral disease and coronary heart disease are linked, but it does not show whether one causes the other. She suggested that dentists who have patients with poor oral health should consider encouraging them to undergo cardiac examinations, even if they do not have symptoms of heart disease.
3. Gum Disease:
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth. It is also called periodontal disease.
The two types of gum disease are called gingivitis and periodontitis.. Gingivitis is mild gum disease that affects only the gums, the tissue that surrounds the teeth. Periodontis is more severe gum disease that spreads below the gums to damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
Gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when the teeth are brushed. Because gingivitis usually doesn't cause pain, many people don't get the treatment they need.
Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where germs called bacteria can grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth. Gums can also shrink back from the teeth. This can make the teeth look longer. Teeth may become loose, fall out, or have to be pulled out by a dentist.
You are more likely to get gum disease if you:
Do not clean your teeth well.
Smoke or chew tobacco.
Have someone in your family who has gum disease.
Have a condition that makes it harder for your body to fight infection, such as:
Uncontrolled diabetes, AIDS, or leukemia
A high level of stress.
A poor diet that's low in nutrients.
What are the symptoms?
It may be hard to tell if you have a mild case of gum disease. Healthy gums are pink and firm, fit snugly around the teeth, and do not bleed easily. But mild cases of gum disease (gingivitis) cause:
Gums that are red, swollen, and tender.
Gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing.
In more severe gum disease (periodontitis), the symptoms are easier to see, such as:
Gums that pull away or shrink from the teeth.
Bad breath that won't go away.
Pus coming from the gums.
A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite.
Loose teeth.
Your whole face can change shape without your teeth.
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