Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012 Dental Resolutions

Now that 2012 is here, many people are considering healthy New Year’s resolutions – such as quitting smoking, losing weight or getting more exercise. You might also want to consider a resolution to improve your oral health.

While most people know that eating right, quitting smoking and exercising are all part of leading a healthier lifestyle that can prolong their lives, most people are not aware of the overall health benefits of taking care of their teeth. Studies show that people who take care of their  teeth live an average of 6.3 years longer than those who lose their teeth.

Most adults lose their teeth due to gum disease, which research has made a firm link to heart disease, diabetes, preterm births as well as other health problems. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can cause damage in other areas of your body. Not taking care of your mouth can negatively affect your health.

The following are excellent dental New Year’s resolutions to help your overall health:

1) Brush twice daily - Your mouth is the front line for battling the bacteria that damage not only your teeth and gums, but also other organs and systems in your body. Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste.

2) Floss daily – Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, which allows a bacterial film to build up there. Daily flossing cleans the spaces between teeth, depriving bacteria of a safe haven.

3) Have at least two dental cleanings a year - Your dental hygienist's care supplements your daily brushing and flossing by cleaning the difficult to reach areas where bacteria may escape your own routine. The hygienist also provides a vital screening for dental problems.

4) Preventative dentistry is better for your health - and it is much cheaper than dealing with major dental problems. Many people never visit a dentist until a tooth requires a root canal or even extraction, problems that are expensive to fix, and affect other teeth. A checkup and a simple filling can head off thousands of dollars of repair.

5) Eat, drink and be wary – The enemy of oral health is the group of natural bacteria, particularly Strep mutans, that thrive on sugar. They damage teeth by dissolving the protective enamel covering of the teeth. Refined sugar is present in an overwhelming number of foods, and is part of the modern diabetes epidemic. This year, make a commitment to tooth and health conscious eating habits. Rinse your mouth after eating sugary food or acidic foods. Avoid sticky sweets that cling to teeth, as well as hard candies that are held in the mouth to dissolve. Drink sugary beverages through a straw so it moves immediately to the back of the mouth. Avoid sugar as much as possible. There is a clear link between diabetes and oral health, and each feeds off the other. Fresh fruits, such as apples, can help clean teeth. Xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free chewing gums and other foods, can actually fight against the bacteria.

6) Consider a new smile – Getting bridges or crowns for missing or broken teeth isn’t a luxury. These problems can have a domino effect that leave you with shifting teeth, a vulnerability to gum disease and other damage. Consider also the quality-of-life benefits of a new smile. An adult who has lived for years with a crooked or discolored smile can turn around their self-esteem, confidence and emotional well-being with teeth straightened by braces, beautiful crowns or veneers, dental bridges and whitening.

Getting your teeth cleaned twice a year, practicing good home care and taking care of problems when they are small is a lot less expensive than you think. If you are going to the local coffee chain a few times a week, then over the course of a year you will spend more than you would getting your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year and handling an occasional small cavity.

1 comment:

  1. Natural herbs have cured so many illnesses that drugs and injections can't cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. I read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of Herpes, HPV HIV/AIDS & STDs, Diabetics , Gonorrhea, Hepatitis, Arthritis, Chronic pains. etc. by herbal medicine, so I decided to contact the doctor because I know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with Herpes for the past years but Dr Chike cured me with his natural herbs and I referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes but to God be the glory, they were cured too .I know it is hard to believe but I am a living testimony. There is no harm trying natural herbs. Contact Dr on Whats-App . +233502715551. text/call via: +1 (719) 629 0982 , or you can also contact through his Facebook Page @ Dr Chike Herbal Remedy.

    ReplyDelete