24-7 Press Release - COSTA MESA, CA, August 23, 2007 - Although dental health seems like a relatively minor issue to many, it is becoming more apparent to health experts that oral health is linked to other ailments we may experience. Periodontitis, which is an advanced gum disease, actually may be responsible for heart disease or stroke. Many other health issues are possibly linked to periodontitis including, but not limited to, low birth weight in newborns, high blood sugar and pneumonia.
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Four simple tips for staying on track with your oral health:
Brush and floss your teeth daily.
Visit the dentist twice each year.
Remember that all foods stimulate bacterial growth in the mouth. The sooner you can brush after eating, the better.
Be especially vigilant with oral care when consuming candies, cookies, and other sugary foods. |
It can't be overstated that you need to brush your teeth frequently - at least two times a day including flossing. This is pretty obvious to many folks, but for some people, oral health is a full time job. Some people have symptoms of gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis and do not even realize it. Bad breath, red gums, loose teeth and other tell tale signs should be enough to convince people to see a dentist regularly, but the most important thing is to properly prevent these diseases by constantly washing and brushing away the acids that build up on our teeth.
When we eat foods that are high in starches and sugars, bacteria form in our mouths. As those bacteria form and essentially live, they excrete acidic waste which builds up on your teeth in the form of plaque. Leaving this plaque on your teeth eats away at the enamel and degrades the overall integrity of the teeth. This is a problem for many people who work long hours and, during the day, have limited opportunities to rinse or brush quickly. Brushing your teeth is the most effective thing you can do along with flossing, but if you can't brush or floss after a meal, then you can simply rinse with a mouthful of water over time after you eat to continually neutralize the plaque acid buildup.
Some things that you can avoid to most effectively prevent wear on your teeth include: coffee and caffeinated beverages, cigarettes, crunchy or hard foods such as heavy corn chips, corn nuts or other nuts. Also, you may want to reduce your sugar and starch intake as much as possible as it is not only good for your oral health but also for the health of your entire body.
