Healthy Habits- Teens + adults under 60

Brushing

Brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of any good oral hygiene routine. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, always be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily. Also, don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Finally, make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. It makes no difference whether you choose a manual or powered toothbrush—just make sure to brush twice a day, every day!
 Brushing twice a day with toothpaste,

Flossing

Flossing goes hand in hand with brushing. By flossing once a day, you help to remove plaque from between your teeth in areas where the toothbrush can't reach. This is extremely important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.Want to avoid cavities? limiting sugary snacks and beverages is how you do it. It’s simple but sometimes life gets busy and you might be tempted to skip it. Don’t. A bright smile makes you feel good inside and out. Make sure to see your dentist regularly, too.

Sealants

Dental sealants are a type of special plastic coating that act as a barrier, protecting cavity-prone areas. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth and are sometimes used to cover deep pits and grooves in other teeth. Sealing a tooth is fast and easy. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing but sometimes a reapplication is needed. Talk to your dentist about sealants. Remember: Just because you have sealants doesn’t mean you don’t have to brush and floss every day. Sealants are added protection against decay!

Mouthguards

If you play a sport or are active in things like skateboarding or snowboarding, it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard. It may feel funny at first, but mouthguards are the best thing you can do to protect your teeth from getting broken or knocked out. They cushion blows that would otherwise cause injuries to the lips and face and sometimes even jaw fractures. There are different kinds of mouthguards; ask your dentist which one is right for you.


this article appeared on ADA mouthhealthy.org

New campaign

New campaign highlights how cigarettes 'rot' the body from the inside
Public health officials in England launched a new campaign to highlight how smoking damages the body and causes a slow and steady decline in a process similar to rotting.

The new campaign by Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health in the United Kingdom, focuses on how smoking cigarettes can harm not only the lungs and heart, but also bones and muscles, brain, teeth and eyes.

According to MouthHealthy.org, the ADA's consumer website, possible impacts of smoking and all tobacco products include oral cancer, gum disease, bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery, and a dulled sense of taste and smell.

The PHE campaign highlights that smoking negatively impacts bone density, increasing the risk of any fracture by 25 percent; increases the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment by 53 percent; and increases risk of age-related eye damage.

Public Health England’s campaign includes digital and print billboards featuring a roll-up cigarette full of decaying tissue. An online video also showcases a father casually rolling up a cigarette “formed of rotting human flesh, all bringing to life the fact that: ‘every cigarette rots you from the inside out,’” according to a news release.

To learn more about Public Health England’s anti-smoking campaign, visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england. For more information on how smoking impacts your oral health, visit MouthHealthy.org and search “smoking and tobacco.”

this article appeared on ADA mouthhealthy.org

Study: Tooth Loss Linked to Slowing Mind and Body

The memory and walking ability of older adults who have lost all of their teeth decline faster than those who still have at least some of their own teeth, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

“Tooth loss could be used as an early marker of mental and physical decline in older age, particularly among 60-74 year-olds,” said lead author Georgios Tsakos, professor of epidemiology and public health at University College London, in a college news release. He added that common causes of tooth loss and mental and physical decline are “often linked to socioeconomic status,” such as education and wealth.

The study from researchers at UCL looked at 3,166 adults aged 60 or over and compared their performance in tests of memory and walking speed. The results found that people with none of their own teeth performed about 10 percent worse in both tests than people with teeth.

"Regardless of what is behind the link between tooth loss and decline in function, recognizing excessive tooth loss presents an opportunity for early identification of adults at higher risk of faster mental and physical decline later in their life. There are many factors likely to influence this decline, such as lifestyle and psychosocial factors, which are amenable to change," Dr. Tsakos said.

According to Mouthhealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website, one common misconception is that losing your teeth is inevitable as you age.
“If cared for properly, your teeth can last a lifetime,” according to Mouthhealthy.org. “Your mouth changes as you age.”

For more information on oral health for senior citizens, visit MouthHealthy.org and search for “aging and dental health

this article appeared on ADA mouthhealthy.org

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

Here are some warning signs that can signal a problem:

* gums that bleed easily
* red, swollen, tender gums
* gums that have pulled away from the teeth
* persistent bad breath or bad taste
* permanent teeth that are loose or separating
* any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
* any change in the fit of partial dentures

Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:

* poor oral hygiene
* smoking or chewing tobacco
* genetics
* crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean
* pregnancy
* diabetes
* medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some      calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives

See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better!

The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth and it may become more severe over time. If it does, your teeth will feel loose and start moving around in your mouth. This is the most common form of periodontitis in adults but can occur at any age. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression.

Aggressive periodontitis is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy. Common features include rapid loss of tissue and bone and may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth.

Research between systemic diseases and periodontal diseases is ongoing. While a link is not conclusive, some studies indicate that severe gum disease may be associated with several other health conditions such as diabetes or stroke.

It is possible to have gum disease and have no warning signs.
That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.

Remember: You don’t have to lose teeth to gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.


This article first appeared on MouthHealthy.org, an A.D.A. website