PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE
Keep Your Smile Healthy!

The virtues of good oral health have been ingrained in us since early childhood. We have been taught that regular brushing and flossing are the best way to remove bacterial plaque, the main culprit of dental cavities and gum disease.

In spite of this knowledge, many still do not include brushing and flossing into their daily routine. What many do not know however is how these same bacteria may effect general health.

Recent studies have shown that dental bacteria can produce toxins, which can enter the circulation. Once in the circulation, these toxins have been associated with many serious health risks including stroke, coronary heart disease, pneumonia, bronchitis, premature delivery and low birth weight infants.

Regular thorough oral care is understandably more important than originally thought. The good news is that good oral health does not have to be difficult to achieve. The introduction of many new oral healthcare aids, including electric and ultrasonic toothbrushes as well as irrigators, have made plaque removal more efficient and effective.

Special tools, however, are not always necessary to achieve and maintain health. Our old stand-by, simple brushing and flossing are sufficient for most.  The selection of a good toothbrush and dental floss can be overwhelming.  The choices are plenty. Your dentist or dental hygienist can assist in the proper selection of homecare tools to meet your individual needs.

Taking care of your teeth on a daily basis, visiting your dentist and dental hygienist regularly, and eating a healthy balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy attractive smile for a lifetime.

NUTRITION AND ORAL HEALTH

Good oral health is more than brushing and flossing alone. A good oral health program includes sound nutritional habits. What you eat can make a difference in your general, as well as your dental health. Many of the foods that help you maintain strong bones and muscles also help maintain strong healthy teeth and gums.

Calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc are all important for strong teeth and bones. Iron, vitamin C and the B vitamins help maintain healthy gum tissues.  Proper nutrition is also essential in preserving the immune system. 

A deficiency in certain nutrients can compromise immune function and increase the risk of infection.  While such a deficiency alone cannot cause gum disease, it will increase the rate of destruction and the severity of the disease.

The key to maintaining a healthy diet is to think before you eat, and:

• Eat a variety of foods, choosing from the 5 major food groups
 
• Limit between meal snacks – each time you eat foods high in sugar or starch the teeth are subjected to acid for 20 or more minutes
 
• When you do snack, choose nutritious foods like raw vegetables, fruit or popcorn

Together, a balanced diet, sensible eating habits, regular professional dental care as well as daily brushing and flossing can reduce the risk of dental disease.

Good nutrition teamed with proper prevention can help maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime!