The health of mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole. If one has poor oral health, one may have several other health problems. It has been commonly found that good oral health may prevent certain diseases from occurring. There is a very intimate relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and health complications such as heart disease and stroke. Women with gum disease show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies. More than 90 percent of all systemic diseases (diseases involving many organs or whole body) have oral manifestations, including mouth ulcers, swollen gums, excessive gum problems and dry mouth. Such diseases include leukemia, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer, kidney disease and heart disease.
Signs for Healthy health
Strong teeth aid in proper eating and stay for a long time. Weak gums, rotten teeth, bleeding gums, are not signs of healthy teeth. You must be very careful when you show any of these symptoms.
- White Teeth – As much as whiter teeth help to make a smile beautiful, it also confirms that your teeth are healthy and strong. White teeth mean that you do not have dirt layer on the teeth. The white coloured teeth are strong and clean teeth.
- Pink Gums – Pink gums are the signs of healthy teeth. Pink gums signify that there is ample blood flow in gums. Hence, the gums are strong enough to hold the teeth in place.
- Juicy tongue – Dry tongue also depicts a problem with gums and teeth. Therefore, if you do not have a dry tongue, it means you have healthy teeth.
- No Cavity – Cavity is a sign of unhealthy teeth. If you do not have a cavity anywhere in your teeth, it means your teeth are quite healthy.
- Can eat well: If you can eat anything and everything without any tooth problem, you have strong teeth.
Tips for Dental care
Regular visits to the dentist and great oral hygiene will help you maintain healthy gums and teeth. Regular care of your gums and teeth will prevent problems in the future and leave you with lower dental bills. Here are some effective tips to help you look after your teeth.
Brush properly
The best dental care tips must include brushing. We are all aware that brushing teeth on a regular basis prevents cavities and keeps you smiling. This practice removes the debris from teeth and gums, aiding in cavity and gum disease prevention. One should brush twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste. You must clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, and then your lower teeth. You should also clean inner surfaces of your upper teeth and then your lower teeth. The best time to brush teeth is after meals. Choose a good toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth. Soft bristles are kinder on your gums.
Use fluoridated toothpaste
The best dental hygiene tips must include fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride can help dental health by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. It also decreases the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce. Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, so plaque can be more simply removed. Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and decreases your risk of decay.
Floss Your Teeth Daily
The best oral care tips must include flossing. Add flossing to your daily dental routine and you’ll experience a cleaner, healthier smile. Dental floss is a tool one should use daily to remove food and bacteria build-up from in-between the teeth. Brushing cleans the surface of teeth. One needs to floss in order to clean out gaps between teeth, where bacteria often reside. If one does not floss, one is more likely to have plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Limit acidic drinks like fruit juices and soft drinks.
Many people consume fruit juice, carbonated beverages, and highly acidic foods every day but probably do not realize that they may be harming their teeth. The acid in the foods we drink and eat can cause tooth enamel to wear away, and teeth can become sensitive and discoloured. In many cases, it’s not what you drink and eat that is as important as how you consume these foods. Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve minerals in tooth enamel, causing holes (cavities or caries). In severe cases, teeth can be ‘eaten’ right down to the gum.
Use Mouthwash
The best tips for healthy teeth must include mouthwash. Mouthwash is a tool in the fight against tooth decay, gingivitis, as well as the promotion of healthy teeth and gums. Mouthwash temporarily decreases bad breath. Mouthwash kills bacteria associated with causing bad breath leaving one with the minty fresh breath. Various mouthwashes help prevent plaque build up on your gums, in-between teeth, and on the surface of your teeth in between brushing.
Limit sugary foods
Bacteria in dental plaque change sugar into acids. You can be able to prevent two of the most common diseases of modern civilization, periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay (caries), simply by improving your diet. Decay results when the teeth and other hard tissues of the mouth are destroyed by acid products from oral bacteria. Sugary foods are linked to higher levels of cavity-causing bacteria.
Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food
Teeth are not meant to be used as the tool. Many people learn that the hard way by breaking a tooth while attempting to use their teeth to crack open a nut. Unfortunately, when a tooth cracks there is pain involved. People who’ve cracked a tooth often report a feeling of a sharp, sudden pain when they bite. If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth.
You should also visit the dentist if you have a dental problem such as bleeding gums or a toothache.