Oral Health Facts

• Dental caries is the major cause of tooth loss in children; periodontal (gum) disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.
• Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months and after illnesses like a cold or flu.

• Three out of four patients don’t change their toothbrush as often as they should.
• Tongue and lip piercing can cause blood poisoning, prolonged or permanent drooling, damaged sense of taste, toxic shock syndrome, permanent damage to tooth enamel and oral tissue, and transmission of infections such as hepatitis B and HIV.
• Tobacco is the primary cause of oral cancers. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day or using smokeless tobacco quadruples the risk of developing oral cancer.
  
• Oral cancer occurs twice as frequently in men as women.
• The biggest oral health problem for infants is early tooth decay, known as baby-bottle tooth decay. This results when babies routinely fall asleep with bottles filled with sugary liquids such as milk, formula, and juice—anything other than plain water.
• Chewing gum can help eliminate food particles caught between teeth after a meal and also helps prevent plaque build up by stimulating saliva production.
  
• A vigorous rinse with water may help to dislodge food particles and dilute acid produced by plaque bacteria. Rinsing throughout the day supports daily brushing and flossing to maintain oral health.

• Contrary to popular belief, there is no significant advantage of an electric or powered toothbrush over the normal toothbrush except ease of use.
• You should always maintain a distance of 6 feet between the toilet and where you brush. The air borne particles from the flush can travel up to 6 feet.
• There was a sudden massive surge of patients with tooth decay the year coke was launched.
• The swallowing of a fluoride containing toothpaste can cause many harmful effects such as fluoride toxicity.
• The popular practice of placing a cap on toothbrush head actually favors bacterial growth on it as moisture is increased in enclosed containers favoring the growth of bacteria.
• Vigorous brushing does more harm than good. Overzealous brushing can lead to eroded enamel which never grows back causing teeth sensitivity along with other.
• Fluoride is an important tool in the fight against tooth decay and may be found in such sources as community water supplies, private wells and tooth paste.
• Between-meal snacking may contribute to tooth decay. Choosing nutritious snacks that are low in sugar and do not promote tooth decay helps in the fight against cavities. Foods such as apples and raw carrots, and hard cheese have a natural cleansing action on teeth, making good snack food choices.
• Acid production from bacterial plaque occurs most dramatically within 20 minutes of eating, contributing to tooth decay. That is why rinsing your mouth after eating is a good habit.

Tips How to keep your Oral Health and a Fresh Breath

Brushing and Using Dental Floss

• Floss and brush your teeth, gums and tongue daily. Clean as far back on your tongue as you can, as that’s where bacteria often collect. If you don’t clean your mouth, any remaining food particles will attract bacteria, which cause bad breath and contribute to tooth decay.

• Electric toothbrushes will do a better job of removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. Use fluoride toothpaste and gently concentrate on where your teeth meet the gum line, and keep your toothbrush on for at least two minutes. Afterwards, grab some dental floss (waxed is a good choice since it can get in the spaces between the teeth much easier) and go around each tooth in a curved motion.

Have a healty diet

• To prevent tooth decay cut down on those carbonated sodas, chocolate bars, hard candies and those sickly sweet energy bars you might be tempted to eat in the morning. Instead, choose more raw vegetables like celery, and fruits like apples and pears. Red wine, fruit juices and vinegary salad dressings can be acidic and will eat away at the tooth enamel over time.

• Be aware that certain foods — such as garlic, onions and some spices — can contribute to bad breath for up to 72 hours after eating.

Cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco

• Can cause dry mouth and bad breath -- on top of being harmful to your overall health. Ask your dentist for help with smoking cessation.

Bad breath

• Can be an early symptom of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jawbone, which can lead to a loss of gum and teeth. If left alone, the bacteria will build up on your teeth and irritate the gums.

• Dry mouth leads to bad breath. Saliva inhibits the growth of bacteria that contribute to bad breath by cleansing the mouth and removing odor-causing food particles. Dry mouth is also caused by some medications, alcohol and breathing with your mouth open. Drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum or candy to keep your mouth moist.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

• Dentists have all the technology necessary to make sure your teeth are in good shape, and to find problems that are not visible just by looking in the mirror, like cavities and gingivitis. The dentist will also screen for signs of oral cancer, which is treatable if detected early.