Get your teeth into this

Looking after your teeth isn't just about aesthetics and decay...

Good dental care is an important part of overall good physical health, and not only in the ways you might think. For example, studies show a close connection between tooth decay and gum disease and myocarditis, a disease of the heart muscle.

Recent research also suggests that people who lose a significant number of teeth due to poor care are more likely to suffer from a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and even osteoporosis.

While? most people may have ready access to quality dental care, they are also known to be at high risk of dental problems because of their constant ingestion of high-glucose products. In an effort to maintain their energy levels, many will reach for high-sugar sports drinks, energy supplements and other fast- release snacks.

Good dental hygiene can also help to avoid chronic halitosis, or bad breath, which is often caused by periodontal disease (gum infections). If the problem persists despite taking good care of your teeth then other causes, including respiratory and gastro-intestinal disorders, may need to be investigated.

Another health concern related to the teeth is the use of mercury fillings, which many now believe can leach mercury into the bloodstream, potentially causing a variety of conditions, from insomnia to musculo-skeletal disorders. Dentists are often asked to remove such fillings and to replace them with healthier alternatives.

BRUSH, FLOSS, REPEAT

As well as limiting your intake of sugary foods and drinks, regular brushing and flossing is essential. This should be done at least twice a day, and ideally also soon after eating or drinking any particularly sugary foods and drinks. This will help to avoid the build up of plaque, the gummy film of saliva and bacteria that adheres to your teeth, especially along the gum line. This plaque can combine with other minerals in saliva to form tartar, which can then lead to decay, bad breath and gum disease. Check-ups with your dentist, ideally once or twice a year, are also important.

There is a huge range of dental products now available, many of which promise incredible results, but it's important not to rely on such products to look after your teeth, Fluoride dental rinses, for example, may help to prevent decay and leave your breath feeling fresh, but they are no substitute for regular brushing and flossing. What matters most of all is you and your dental hygiene routine. If you remember, without fail, to brush and floss at least twice a day and visit your dentist at least twice a year, you should maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums.

30%?Research shows that only half of the population see their dentist once a year and nearly 30 per cent don't even go once

36% While 80 per cent of the population say they know flossing is important, less than 36 per cent actually do it on a daily basis

Be well

Dorian

https://www.drdoriandugmore.com/