Good Dental Care is Your Healthiest New Year’s Resolution

There is an ancient proverb that the “eyes are the window to your soul.”   That might be true, but did you know that your mouth is probably the best window to your overall health?   By examining  your gums, teeth and tongue, a dentist obtains very important evidence about what’s going on in your entire body—which could help diagnose possible problems.    

Good dental hygiene is a lot more than sparkling teeth and kissable breath. It could save your life.

Bacteria and Inflammation

You probably know that bacteria that reside in your gastrointestinal tract, but your mouth is also packed with microbes.   In fact, there are more than 700 different bacterial strains residing in most people’s mouths!  Most of these are harmless, and some are even very beneficial.  But some are harmful and the cause of many diseases.

Normally, your body’s immune system, plus good oral care, can keep these hostile microorganisms under control. Saliva is another important player. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acids and defends against viruses and other germs.

However, poor hygiene can cause pathogenic microbes to grow, multiply and gain a stronghold. An abundance of these bad guys can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis (inflamed gums caused by a buildup of a sticky film of bacteria called plaque) and periodontitis (severe gum disease).

In fact most scientists and practitioners now believe that many diseases are the product of inflammation—and one of the main causes of inflammation is low-grade bacterial infections in the bloodstream introduced or originating in the mouth.

The Links to Disease

There is a vast (and mounting) amount of research that shows a strong connection between poor oral health and the following diseases:

• Cardiovascular disease (including heart attack and stroke);
• Alzheimer’s disease;
• Diabetes;
• Chronic kidney disease; and
• Pregnancy complications.

The data is too overwhelming to lay out here, but do a quick internet search of the connection between any of these diseases and your oral health, and you’ll find lots and lots of data.

Resolution No. 1: Take Care of Your Mouth

Your first line of defense against gingivitis, periodontitis and a host of other dental problems is to brush for two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day. You should also get dental cleanings and exams every six months (or more often if recommended by your dentist). 

Don’t forget to clean your tongue as well. (You can use a regular old toothbrush or buy a special tongue scraper either online or at a drugstore.) Research involving children found that, compared to tooth brushing alone, tongue brushing or scraping led to “statistically significant reductions in plaque levels” after 10 and 21 days. Both methods appeared to be equally effective.

You may also want to consider taking some key nutrients that support oral health. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) benefits the heart and safeguards the gums. A study from India found that the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 not only reduced free radical damage in the mouths of patients with periodontal disease, but also suppressed inflammation associated with the condition.

A daily probiotic supplement can also promote healthy teeth and gums. The friendly strains Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria can decrease the number of cavity-causing S. mutans. Beneficial microbes also fight periodontitis, bad breath and countless gastrointestinal conditions.

Here are some final tips:

• Avoid sugary and starchy foods, which feed pathogenic bacteria and help them flourish. If you must eat something sweet or starchy, brush your teeth right away.
• Don’t use alcohol-based mouthwashes, which have been loosely linked to oral cancer. Opt for alcohol-free options.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush away food particles and unwelcome bacteria in your mouth.
• Consider chewing gum or suck a mint that contains xylitol. This natural, low-calorie sugar alternative shows promise in not only reducing cavities, but also reversing tooth decay in its earliest stages.

Clearly, taking diligent care of your mouth goes a long way in protecting your overall well being. While brushing and flossing may seem annoying and tedious at times, a few minutes a day is a small price to pay for long-term health. 

 Keep smiling,

 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121

A Look Inside My Bathroom

People ask me all the time about my brushing habits.  So I took a picture of my actual bathroom brushing tools. Let's go through them, and I'll explain my routine.   Keep in mind that brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile I recommend you:

• 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.
• 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.
• Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.

Back to the photo.  The two brushes on the left are both mine.  They are both soft-bristle brushes, which are the best because they have less erosive effect on tooth and gum structure.  Why do I have two?  I get them cheap.

The green brush is my husband's, which is a medium brush, because he likes it better, but as long as he's brushing, it's a good thing.  I tell him not to brush too hard.

The electric toothbrush is a Philips Sonicare they sent me to try out.  Frankly, I prefer manual toothbrushes myself, but they do a great job.  My husband likes it and that's the one he uses at night before going to bed.  He still has his wisdom teeth, and it makes it easier to clean them, especially in the very back, which is harder with a manual brush.

As to the toothpastes, we use two.  The Colgate is our morning toothpaste, as it's a good, gentle, everyday cleaning toothpaste, that I think works well.  I also brush after lunch, and I use it for that, too.  The Fluoridex is by prescription only, and it is high in fluoride, used to remineralize the teeth.  We use it at night because it gives the fluoride longer effect.  Tip:  After brushing and rinsing, I put a little more on the brush and apply it on all my tooth surfaces, then spit out any excess without rinsing to maximize the fluoride treatment.

The proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. 
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Of course, brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine. And you see floss in the picture.  You should also make sure to:

• Clean between teeth daily with floss. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. 

Finally, the mirror and the pick.  Don't use them.  The pick can do damage if you're not careful.  But since I know what I'm doing, I examine my mouth with them quite frequently to stay ahead of anything that could develop.

And if you want a graphic reminder of how to brush, here's one from the ADA.

Keep smiling,

 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121