Healthy Teeth, Healthy You.
The only time you hear about dental health is likely during TV commercials on the benefits of a toothpaste brand.
The facts about dental health aren’t preached enough, and it’s no surprise that almost half the world’s population is dealing with one dental health issue or the other.
Your general well-being depends on many factors, and your dental health is one of the most crucial of these factors.
Did you know that over 90% of diabetic patients have bad oral health?
Research also points that your oral health is extensively linked to your heart’s condition. So when you take care of your mouth, you’re also taking care of your heart.
In summary, your general health isn’t excellent if your dental health is neglected.
Of course, not everyone is intentional about neglecting their oral health. But there are certain misconceptions about dental health that can leave you wrongfully confident in your oral hygiene practices.
Think about it, how much have you improved on the oral hygiene methods taught to you as a kid?
If you have no concrete answer to that, don’t be distressed. Here are facts on dental health that might help you catch up on your dental needs.
Fact 1
The human mouth contains billions of bacteria. It’s said that one mouth can have more bacteria than the world’s population. And that’s not supposed to scare you. On the contrary, you need some of these bacteria to stay healthy.
Not all bacteria are harmful, and the good ones help keep the bad ones away. But sometimes, we can’t rely on these good bacteria to win the fight. They’d lose without our help!
Fact 2
You don’t get to see one-third of your tooth.
That’s right. Your gums protect your tooth, and that’s important because it means, like a tree, your teeth are firmly rooted in your mouth.
Doesn’t sound fantastic?
Well, the more impressive part is, healthy gums mean stronger teeth. This fact can be compared to the proverbial theory of having a house built on rock.
Healthy gums are like that rock holding tight to the foundations of that house.
But here’s the tricky part, human gums are more vulnerable to infections than most parts of the human body, and sometimes you have to do more than just cleaning your mouth to prevent infections.
Fact 3
The yellow on your teeth might be more than a stain. Coffee and wine are known to cause yellows stains on the teeth surface, and a quick wash might be all you need to get back the glistening white glow.
But yellow could also mean enamel erosion due to brushing vigorously, especially with hard bristles. Or it could be a sign of stubborn plaques on your teeth which isn’t healthy at all.
Fact 4
Your tooth thrives on calcium, and yet, it’s not made of bones. True, the human teeth are white and, like bones, need calcium to stay strong. However, your teeth are made of several elements, and the one that keeps them protected is called the enamel.
The enamel is the hard part of the teeth. It’s more like a shell that protects the soft composition of a tooth. If the enamel is compromised, the teeth become susceptible to breakage.
When you wash your mouth, you only clean the enamel, your tongue, and your gums. To keep your teeth strong, you’d have to be intentional about your Calcium intake.
As mentioned before, keeping a set of healthy teeth is beyond brushing and flossing. Several factors contribute to good dental health, and we’ll discuss the ones you have the most control over.
Your Diet.
It might not seem like you should be worried about what you eat if you brush and floss twice a day, but it does matter if you’re eating the wrong kind of food.
The enamel, the most challenging part of your teeth and the hardest part of the human body can be broken down by bacteria.
You can’t totally control the entry of these bacteria into your mouth, but you can control their strength and lifespan.
Bacteria depend on a particular acid to form plaques, make cavities, and then move on to wreck the gums.
How do they get this acid? Most times, they produce it themselves, and they can only do that when you consume sugar.
A high sugar diet helps harmful bacteria to thrive in the mouth. When you eat sugar, these bacteria would feast on the sugar molecules, produce the acids they need to form plaques, and on goes the damage they can do.
Of course, you can’t completely cut out sugar from your diet. It’s just as important as oxygen.
Still, you can reduce your sugar intake to the very minimum. Consult with your doctor to know what sugar level is healthy for you.
Also, when you take sugary drinks, avoid taking them at a slow stretch. Carbonated soda drinks are especially notorious for causing teeth damages as they interact with bacteria very quickly.
You can also promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your mouth by consuming plant-based foods. Remember, healthy bacteria are there to help you fight the bad ones.
Visit your dentist.
This point can not be stressed enough. A visit to the dentist can prevent myriads of health issues. Two visits will do better. Three to four visits in one year will be perfect!
Oral health issues aren’t restricted to bad breath or tooth decay. There are gum diseases that can be severe, cause complete teeth loss, and other degenerative diseases.
There are also oral cancer and tonsil stones, which can only be detected and treated by a dentist.
In a dental clinic, you’d find hygienists who can help you get rid of plaques and tartars your floss and toothbrush wouldn’t.
You’d also get prescriptions on the brands of dental care products that suit you based on your age and medical history.
So why not put the next visit on the top of your to-do list? It’s always good to have an expert examine your dental health now and then.
