January 2017 Entries

 

Minerals, vitamins and other nutrients for oral health

01/01/17

There is no doubt that our teeth and gums are very important. Even though they are relatively small, they are as important as any other organ or body part. In order to make sure that they will stay healthy and strong, you must provide all the nutrients they need. In case you are not taking the necessary nutrients regularly, your oral health will deteriorate and ultimately result in different kinds of teeth and gum-related diseases. To put it simply, you must take care of the nutritional requirements and needs of your gums and teeth.

Another thing that you must understand is that phosphorus and calcium are probably the most important minerals when it comes to dental health. These minerals are crucial for the strength of the enamel which makes sure that the teeth are kept strong and solid. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are some of the products that are rich in calcium, but you will also need to consume more fish, eggs, red meat and broth so you can get both calcium and phosphorus. With the help of the right nutrients, you will be able to stimulate the proper production of saliva in the mouth and as you probably know, saliva eliminates bacteria and prevents accumulation of plaque on teeth.

If you are looking for a way to produce more saliva and to boost your teeth health, you should consider including firm and crunchy foods in your diet. These foods should also contain a relatively high amount of water. Cucumbers, apples, and carrots are good examples of foods like this. In addition, you will need more vitamin D to make sure that calcium is absorbed in the best way. If you want to increase the level of this vitamin in your body, stay longer in the sun (but don’t stand in the open for a long time and use sun protection). Egg yolks and fish are good sources of vitamin D too. It’s also good to point out that vitamin C is useful for gums because it lowers inflammation. In case you don’t have enough vitamin C in the body, you will probably experience tooth sensitivity and increase the chances of experiencing periodontal disease. Include more kale, broccoli and oranges in your diet for this purpose.

Finally, find and use natural foods that contain antioxidants, probiotics, anthocyanin and polyphenols to enhance your oral health.

 

An introduction to preventive dentistry

01/29/17

The simplest way to define preventive dentistry is to describe it as a process of maintaining the cleanliness of your teeth and keeping them healthy. By practicing this kind of dentistry, you will be able to avoid many common dental issues like formation of cavities, wear and tear of enamel and gum disease. In addition, preventive dentistry requires visits to the dentist’s office on a regular basis. The dentists are here to treat issues related to gum and teeth and to check and take care of mouth tissue. Proper oral hygiene must be taught to children in order to help them develop preventive dentistry procedures.

There are many different practices that make preventive dentistry. The most common ones include – brushing the teeth, flossing, healthy eating and regular dental checkups.

The simplest procedure that is part of preventive dentistry is brushing. This is something that you can do at home, at school, at the office etc. Many different dental health organizations recommend the use of fluoride-based toothpaste for this process. Besides that, you should replace your old toothbrush with a new one, every three months. Keep in mind that you should brush the teeth properly and that you should brush the tongue too.

Another important element of dental health and preventive dentistry is flossing. This activity helps you eliminate food leftover stuck between teeth. Once again, in order to feel the positive effects, you must conduct this procedure in the right way. If you are not sure how to do it, consult your dentist. In case you are wearing braces, you will probably need to use floss threaders too.

 What you eat is important not only for your dental health but for your overall health too. Preventive dentistry is about eating healthy food packed with nutrients especially the ones that promote the health of your teeth. You should also stay away from some products that are bad for your teeth like sugar. Sugar that comes from cakes, sodas, and sweets are especially bad. Additionally, drink more water.

Dental checkups conducted by professional dentists should be performed at least once a year. These professionals can easily identify health problems in the mouth. They can also clean your teeth and protect you from the negative effects of plaque buildups.

If you are persistent and you perform these activities regularly, you will understand why preventive dentistry is so important.