NOT FOUND: dental basics.jpgHalloween is just around the corner and sweet snacks are everywhere. In order to enjoy the tasty treats of the season, daily dental hygiene must be a year-round priority. Good dental hygiene not only protects your teeth, it also impacts your physical health.
“We often see people with poor dental conditions go on to have major medical problems,” explains Robert Shechet, D.D.S., director of dental programs for Health Net. “Individuals with poor dental health often have more heart attacks, strokes, premature or low birth-weight babies, diabetes complications and other serious medical issues.”
Dr. Shechet adds that dental problems also have an impact on children’s health. “Dental problems in children can lead to other health problems, which can harm a child’s ability to learn.” In fact, tooth decay is the most common, chronic childhood disease, according to the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in 2000.
Brush up on dental-care basics
It is important for adults and children to practice the basics of good dental care every day. Dr. Shechet shares the following tips that are recommended by the American Dental Association:
• Brush – Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Children may need help brushing their teeth until they are about seven years old.
• Tools – Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months; sooner, if the bristles become frayed.
• Technique – Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth; brush with short, back-and-forth motions. Brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
• Floss – Floss daily. Start with about 18 inches of dental floss; wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand, and stretch the remaining floss around the middle finger on the other hand, leaving about 1 inch to floss your first tooth. Using your thumbs and forefingers, pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth. Unwind fresh floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
Symptoms of dental problems
To prevent oral health problems, Dr. Shechet recommends dental exams and cleanings for adults and children twice a year. Children can start visiting the dentist after their first tooth appears. Between visits, contact a dentist if you have any of the following symptoms:
•Red, tender or swollen gums.
•Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
•Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.
•Loose teeth.
•Changes in the alignment between your top and bottom teeth.
•Teeth that are unusually sensitive to hot and cold foods or liquids.
Don’t become a dental statistic
Dr. Shechet goes on to caution, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-third of all adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay. By practicing good dental hygiene and seeing a dentist regularly, you can avoid being included in this group and prevent other serious medical problems.”