Prevention is the key to good healthEver heard the saying the eyes are the window to the soul? Well, the mouth is the window to your health! Ignoring oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, endocarditis (harmful bacteria that enters the bloodstream causing infection), Sjogren’s syndrome and other immune disorders. Our mouth is responsible for our ability to chew, speak and smile. Neglect can lead to gum disease, decay, abscesses, halitosis (bad breath), loss of taste, loss of appetite, acute and/or chronic pain and tooth loss. Yet we only ever spend on average 3-5 minutes a day taking care of our mouth! The condition of our mouth plays a major role in our self-esteem, social interaction and behaviour. The intimate relationship of our mouth to our bodies is being realized more and more each day by researchers and scientists. As we age these factors become very magnified and can cause tremendous discomfort.
What can we do to take care of our mouth: Brush your teeth atleast 2 times a day (focus the bristles on the gumline) Brush your tongue…yes, brush your tongue. It is teaming with all kinds of bacteria (good and bad) and travels easily to the gumline where it attaches itself to left over food debris between teeth and creates a sticky harmful matrix called plaque Floss daily (but only the teeth you want to keep) Limit sugar and starchy snacks, and make healthy food choices Have your teeth cleaned regularly by a professional dental hygienist to remove adhered deposits like tartar (dental term known as calculus) Don’t ignore symptoms and take care of problems before they get out of hand and contact a dental professional if you have pain, sensitivity or any other unusual signs or symptoms. Many conditions can be dealt with more comfortably, easily and more cost-effectively if they are dealt with early Take pride in taking care of your mouth. It is an investment you will be thankful for when you are much older! Links to CDHA for information on Dental Hygienists and thier role in your health and community: http://www.cdha.ca/pdfs/OralCare/Educational_Resources_4.pdf http://www.cdha.ca/pdfs/OralCare/ED_CJDH%20March-April%202009_More%20choice_Better%20access_EN.pdf |