Does this sound familiar? It’s time for your checkup. When was the last time you saw your dentist? Do you have a dentist? How old is your toothbrush?
The definition from the World Health Organization describes oral health as “being free of chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the mouth and oral cavity.”1
Dental hygiene is important as it affects your teeth as well as your whole body system. Many people visit their dentist when it is too late and tooth extraction is inevitable.
Washington Adventist Hospital shares the information that “poor oral health is linked to diabetes, kidney disease, preterm labor, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer. Several studies show a correlation between gum health and atherosclerosis, a condition underlying much heart disease. Thorough brushing (twice a day) and daily flossing reduces dental plaque and prevents gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease.”2
Sixty to ninety percent of school children worldwide have dental cavities. Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 5 to 20 percent of middle-aged adults; the rate varies across geographical regions.3
Prevention methods highly decrease the likelihood of tooth decay.
Toothbrushes should be changed every two to three months. The most common cause of bad breath (halitosis) is due to poor dental hygiene. Also, dehydration can be a cause of bad breath. A decrease in saliva production can cause an increase in bacterial buildup from dead cells that are rotting at the back of the mouth. Other causes of bad breath include smoking, sinus problems, and highly aromatic foods. Individuals, such as pastors, who have ongoing contact with the public, must also realize that bad breath is offensive to those with whom they speak.
Avoid sugar when snacking; the longer sugar stays on teeth, the more damage it will do. Fiberrich fruits and vegetables stimulate salivary flow to aid remineralization of tooth surfaces that have early stages of tooth decay. Vitamins A and D help with the maintenance of and development of healthy teeth. Good sources of vitamin A include the following:
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Kale
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
Good sources of vitamin D include the following:
• Fortified breakfast cereal
• Fortified rice milk
• Fortified soy milk
• Sunlight
• Yogurt
Brushing your teeth twice every day and seeing a dentist twice a year can minimize the risk of dental cavities. But remember, brushing too hard can also have a damaging effect as it can wear out the enamel of your teeth and ruin your gums. A soft-bristled toothbrush is strongly recommended.
Fluoride can be obtained from fluoridated drinking water, salt, milk, mouth rinses or toothpastes, as well as professionally applied fluorides. Fluoride is naturally present in all water. Community water fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to adjust the natural fluoride concentration of a community’s water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health.4
Not only does prevention affect your health, but it can also drastically help reduce dental work costs, which is especially helpful where there is a lack of health insurance. A study conducted in Japan examined the effects of periodontal diseases on medical and dental costs in 4,285 patients between the ages of 40–59 over a three-and-a-half-year time span. “Researchers found that cumulative health care costs were 21% higher for those patients with severe periodontal disease [called periodontitis, which involves bone loss and diminished attachment around the teeth] than those with no periodontal disease.”5
As pastors living in the public eye and being public leaders, the benefits of healthy smiles and fresh breath make huge impacts on a daily basis as we meet and minister to people. So let prevention be your focus, and live a healthier lifestyle by achieving a healthier set of teeth.
Medical consultants: Allan Handysides, MB, ChB, FRCPC, FRCSC, FACOG; and Peter Landless, MB, Ch, MMed, FCP(SA), FACC, FASNC.
Notes:
1. “Oral Health,” World Health Organization, last modified February 2007, OralHealth
2. “Hygiene,” Washington Adventist Hospital Weekly Health Tip, August 22, 2008, Hygiene
3. “Tooth Care in Africa Still a Burden,” East African, November 1, 2010, Tooth Care in Africa Still a Burden
4. “Fluoride Facts,” American Dental Hygienists’ Association, accessed November 2, 2010, American Dental Hygienists
5. “Treating Your Periodontal Pockets May Benefit Your Pocketbook,” American Academy of Periodontology,
accessed November 16, 2010, American Academy of Periodontology
