Taking care of your oral and dental health through regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene is essential to prevent not only dental problems but heart disease and diabetes as well.
Dental health may affect the general health of the individual as a whole. Oral and dental health is a window on the general health of the body. Oral lesions Or other oral problems are signs of nutritional deficiency, general infection, or even systemic diseases that affect the entire body.
The relationship between oral and dental health, heart disease, diabetes and muscle weakness
Research today indicates that poor oral and dental health is associated with an increased incidence of physical discomfort as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study also indicates that a decrease in the number of teeth remaining in the mouth increases the risk of general weakness, muscle loss, sarcopenia, and diabetes in the elderly. Teeth and poor chewing ability bdiabetes.
It is speculated that people who have poor chewing or have fewer teeth may be more likely to develop diabetes due to eating more soft, sugar-rich foods and eating shorter meals, causing a significant spike in blood sugar levels after eating.
Tooth loss is also closely related to diseases Periodontitis and periodontitis Which may play a role in the occurrence of muscular dystrophy and diabetes as a result of decreased insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose tolerance.
Why should you have dental implants and replacement for missing teeth?
Improvements in oral and dental health can help and compensate for missing teeth by using dental implants or Dentures or Bridges and crowns Reducing the risk of losing the remaining teeth and thus reducing the chance of developing many diseases.
Especially with the development of a lot of techniques in dentistry today and the possibility of doingDental implants in one day Teeth replacement is no longer difficult.
Older people are advised to eat more slowly, brush their teeth well after meals, and tighten oral and dental hygiene.
Your oral health care plan
Good oral and dental health depends on more than just brushing and toothpaste, to maintain oral and dental health and the health of the body as a whole for as long as possible and prevent associated health problems. consideration:
1. Understand your oral health needs
Talk with your dentist about any oral problems or conditions you have and any ways your general health affects your oral health, because for example, it can affect Cancer treatments pregnancy and Heart disease ordiabetes and dental appliances such as dentures ororthodontic collars Oral and dental health, and this may require a change in the way you take care of your oral and dental health.
Make sure it is important to tell your doctor if there has been a change in your general health or any medications you are taking since your last dental visit.
2. Develop and then follow a daily oral hygiene routine
Based on discussions with your doctor about how to consider your health conditions, develop an oral hygiene routine that is easy to follow on a daily basis. For example, people with special conditions such as pregnancy and diabetes, for example, may need to consider additional instructions and possibly treatments to maintain good oral hygiene.
Make sure you understand the additional care and treatment required and stick to the extra tasks and incorporate them into your daily routine.
3. Use fluoride treatment
The use of fluoride is important for children And adults together, as fluoride strengthens the growth of teeth in children and helps protect the teeth of children and adults and prevent tooth decay. tooth decay.
Toothpaste, mouthwash, and tap water usually contain fluoride, but the fluoride levels in tap water may not be high enough without supplements to prevent tooth decay.
So determine your fluoride preventive treatment needs under your doctor's direction and ask him or her if fluoride supplements or prescription fluoride products are necessary for you.
4. Use a toothbrush, floss and mouth rinses
brush your teeth with paste Toothbrush twice a day in the morning and before bedtime, and clean with a floss or cleaning method between the teeth at least once a day. The American Dental Association emphasizes the importance of choosing a soft-bristled brush.
It is better to brush the teeth after every meal and snack for half an hour to remove plaque and food residues from the teeth, which if not removed, combine with sugars, leading to the formation of acids that lead to Dental caries The person, and bacterial plaques also infect the gums, mouth, and supporting tissues with infections.
The use of an antibacterial mouthwash also reduces the bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and promotes stronger gingivitisA mouthwash rich in fluoride can help Tooth decay prevention By rinsing for two minutes daily.
Floss first or toothbrush?
Some experts say that the order in which you floss, brush, and putty are used doesn't matter while others suggest that flossing first helps to clean more effectively by removing food stuck between the teeth.
When brushing, keep the brush at a 45-degree angle with the gum line. Gently move the brush back and forth without applying too much pressure. Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to help remove any remaining plaque.
5. Replace your toothbrush
Because the bristles of the toothbrush wear out, flatten, and diverge over time, to help maintain a bright smile, replace the manual toothbrush every three or four months. As for the heads of electric toothbrushes, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and if you get sick, try not to use the same brush at the beginning and end of your illness to avoid harboring germs.
6. Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking
Eat a variety of healthy food and reduce the intake of unhealthy foods that contain sugars and starches, for example: biscuits, cakes, pies, candy, ice cream, dried fruits, raisins, soft drinks and potato chips.
These types produce most of the acids in the mouth, which start the process cariesSo, after you eat a snack, you should work on brushing your teeth or chewing gum that does not contain sugar.
7. Take control of your GERD
If you suffer from acid reflux You'll need to control it to help maintain dental enamel and oral health.
Common foods and drinks that trigger reflux are: chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea, garlic and onions, dairy, tomatoes, citrus fruits, mint, and spicy, fatty, or fried foods.
8. Avoid dry mouth
Your mouth needs saliva to stay healthy, but a combination of hundreds of medications such as antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, and antiallergics can lead to dry mouth and decreased salivation. bad breath.
To help boost the moisture in your mouth increase your fluid intake and ask your doctor about an artificial saliva product fordry mouth treatment Or chew sugar-free gum after meals.
9. If you use tobacco products, stop!
He increases cigarette smoking Other tobacco products increase the risk of: mouth cancer orLaryngeal cancers orpharynx oresophagus or periodontal infections or mouth ulcers or bad breath Tooth discoloration and other diseases inside the mouth and other health problems.
10. Check your mouth regularly
Stay informed of the health of your mouth through frequent examination, this way you will be able to detect any problems in the early stages and check these changes by a dentist and prevent many problems.
Check for any spots or blemishes pests or wounds or blisters or mouth lumps on the gums, tongue, insides of the cheeks, lips, or floor and roof of the mouth, check the teeth for signs of scaling, fractures, discoloration, or jitter in any of them.
If you feel a change in the relationship between your jaws and your bite, or you feel pain, contact your dentist as soon as possible, an oral examination is especially important if you are a Tobacco users Because you are at an increased risk of contractingmouth cancer.
11. Visit the dentist regularly
Many people consider that they need to book an appointment to visit the dental clinic only if they are suffering from pain or they think that something is wrong, but regular visits to the clinic without the presence of pain can enhance the maintenance of oral health and early detection of problems, the ideal recommendation is to visit See your doctor twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Talk to your dentist about how often is best for you.
If you suffer from a toothache, do not postpone a visit to the dentist. With the many developments in dentistry, work on diagnosis and medical treatment has become more advanced and comfortable than ever before.
12. Develop a partnership with the dentist
Don't be afraid to ask your dentist for more information if you don't understand the treatment or procedure. You should be able to have a free and frank discussion with your dentist. Here are some related questions you may want to ask:
- What are the treatment options for a particular dental condition?
- How do these options differ in cost and durability?
- Do all options solve the problem? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
- Which dental treatments are recommended, which are most important, most necessary, which are less urgent, which are optional, and which are cosmetic?
- What are the consequences of delaying treatment?
- How much does treatment cost?
- When is the payment due?
- Do you have a clear understanding of all fees, payment methods and schedules?