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How does diet affect dental health

If your diet is low in certain nutrients, it may be harder for the tissues of your mouth to resist infection. This may be a contributing factor to periodontal (gum) disease, the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not actually cause periodontal disease, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is more severe in patients whose diet does not supply the necessary nutrients.

To make sure that you are getting enough nutrients for good general and oral health, you should choose foods from the four basic food groups: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish, and eggs. When you do snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods, such as cakes, candy and dried fruits, that cling to your teeth and promote tooth decay. Instead, choose dentally healthy foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, popcorn and sugarless gum or candy. To have a diet that promotes dental health, you must develop sensible eating habits

Protective Foods : Cheeses, such as cheddar and mozzarella, have been shown to have caries-protective properties, for which many mechanisms have been proposed.28 Components in cheese such as fat and casein have been shown in situ (intra-orally) to provide some protection against the harmful effects of acids.Caseinates and other organic phosphates in dairy products can be adsorbed onto the tooth surface, inhibiting the adhesion of plaque. The calcium-phosphate buffering systems help protect against tooth demineralization through effects on saliva and plaque.Other high-protein foods such as meat, nuts and legumes are converted into alkaline end products by oral bacteria, suggesting protection against caries.Dietary fats may also be beneficial by decreasing a food's stickiness and enhancing its clearance from the teeth.

How can we ensure dental health ?

• Start dental care early, brush baby's teeth with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as they appear in the mouth. Do not habitually allow infants to fall asleep while drinking from a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened drink. These sweet liquids pool around the baby's teeth for long periods of time and can lead to "baby bottle tooth decay".
• Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. And if possible, clean between the teeth with dental floss or toothpicks once a day. Do not eat after cleaning teeth at bedtime as salivary flow decreases as we sleep.
• Visit the dentist about every 6 months for a check-up. And seek dentist's advice before using aesthetic products (e.g: teeth whiteners) that could have a deleterious effect on the teeth. Do not nibble food or sip drinks continuously. Allow time between eating occasions for saliva to neutralise acids and repair the teeth.
• People at high risk from tooth wear and erosion should take special precautions, such as:

• decrease frequency and contact with acidic foods and drinks;
• avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods, drinks, citrus fruits and juices. This allows time for remineralisation to occur. Fluoride mouthwashes and sugar-free chewing gum may be useful after taking acidic food or drinks as they encourage remineralisation.
• Sugar-free chewing gum is "toothfriendly" as it helps increase saliva flow and clears food debris from the mouth.

Tobacco Use and Periodontal Disease

In addition, research shows that current smokers don't heal as well after periodontal treatment as former smokers or nonsmokers. But these effects are reversible if the smokers kick the habit before beginning treatment.

Researches also have found that the following problems occur more often in people who use tobacco products:

1.Oral cancer 2.Bad breath 3.Stained teeth 4.Tooth loss 5.Bone loss 6.Loss of taste 7.Less success with periodontal treatment 8.Less success with dental implants 9.Gum recession 10.Mouth sores 11.Facial wrinkling...More>>

Some people simply make the decision not to smoke again and quit. The "cold turkey" approach is not for everyone, but strong willpower is essential to make sure that you don"t go back to the old habit.

Firstly you should think about your reasons for quitting. There are certainly plenty to choose from! However, you have to have your own reasons, and they have to be good enough to see you through cravings. Perhaps you want to be healthy so that you can enjoy playing with your kids. Maybe you'd like to take up a sport. You might be fed up with coughing all the time, or would like to keep the money you'll save on tobacco to spend on something else...More>>

What is a Dental Hygienist ?

A dental hygienist is a licensed primary oral health care professional. The dental hygienist is a clinician, oral health educator, health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator, and researcher. The goal of dental hygiene is to assist individuals in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

A wide range of settings is available for the practice of a dental hygienist, such as private dental offices, community clinics, hospitals, chronic care facilities, public health departments, educational institutions and research.

Improving your smile

These improvements are not always cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite.

Bleaching

Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while other just want a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be caused by your genetic make-up or simply getting older. Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the office or, under dental supervision, at home. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient. Treatment begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution-10 percent to 20 percent carbamide peroxide-is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for two to six 45-minute visits to your dentist's office.
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