<h1>Dental Care</h1>

Dental Care

Parents and leaders should teach that care of the mouth, teeth, and gums is of extreme importance in good personal health. Critical oral functions range from simply chewing food to communicating with clear, understandable speech. Personal care of the mouth should begin at birth and continue daily throughout life. Preventing sugars and other foods from staying in the mouth and on the teeth after eating is a key to good oral hygiene and health. Unfortunately, oral disease (teeth cavities and gum infections) is the most prevalent health challenge of man. Daily brushing and flossing of teeth and massaging of gums, combined with avoidance of tobacco or other foreign substances, and regular visits to the dentist, will preserve the mouth, teeth, and gums throughout life and avoid months or years of pain, suffering, and lost productivity.

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Healthy smile, healthy you: The importance of oral health

Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive – they can tell dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes.

New industry research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.
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Smiling Benefits
Research also shows that a healthy smile may actually prevent certain diseases from occurring.

• Helps You Stay Positive
• Can Change Your Mood
• Brings Happiness
• Reduces Stress
• Boosts Your Immune System
• Lowers Your Blood Pressure
• Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
• Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger
• Gives You Confidence
• Attracts People To Us

Do I Really Need to Floss?

 

Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including places where toothbrushes can't reach. This can lead to gum disease. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease.

Prevent Oral Health Problems: Visit a Dentist Twice a Year

 

Although twice-a-year dental visits are the key ingredient to maintaining good oral health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports less than two-thirds of adults make one yearly dental trip. In addition, one-third of all Americans have untreated tooth decay and more than 50 percent have gingivitis, which can quickly develop into periodontal (gum) disease. Visiting a dentist twice a year can be instrumental to prevent oral health problems and predict overall health conditions.

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What is a Composite Resin (White Filling)?

 

A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

 

How is a composite placed?

 

Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, typically using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.

What you can do

Seeing a dentist regularly helps to keep your mouth in top shape and allows your dentist to watch for developments that may point to other health issues. A dental exam also can detect poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and development problems and improper jaw alignment. Provide your dentist with a complete medical/dental history and inform him or her of any recent health developments, even if they seem unrelated to your oral health.

Poor oral health can lead to problems

If you don't take care of your teeth and gums, your poor oral hygiene can actually lead to other health problems, including:

• Oral and facial pain. According to the Office of the Surgeon General, this pain may be largely due to infections of the gums that support the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and advanced gum disease affect more than 75 percent of the U.S. population.

• Problems with the heart and other major organs. Mouth infections can affect major organs. For example, the heart and heart valves can become inflamed by bacterial endocarditis, a condition that affects people with heart disease or anyone with damaged heart tissue.

• Oral cancer. Poor oral care can contribute to oral cancer, which now takes more lives annually than cervical or skin cancer.

• Digestion problems. Digestion begins with physical and chemical processes in the mouth, and problems here can lead to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestion disorders.

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