Category Archives: Dental Health Care
Lifestyle, Diet and Dental Health
Dental health is largely influenced by diet and lifestyle and there is correlation between diet, lifestyle and dental health. Dental health is not merely absence of dental disease but it is complete well being of teeth as well as structures and tissues in oral cavity.
But how many of us, in our busy lifestyle actually stop and think about dental health care? With the advent of innovative snacks and fast foods as well as innovation of technology such as television, computers, mobiles, internet etc , lifestyles of a person has changed drastically which is affecting physical, social and overall body health so as dental health!
How lifestyle affects dental health -
Lifestyle is separate factor that can influence oral health biologically.
Studies have shown that there is inverse relation between frequency of tooth brushing to dental caries. Oral hygiene habits are correlated with healthy food consumption, use of vitamines and regular physical activities among adolescents (Nutbeam et al 1989).
Relationship between general health, social factors and oral health in woman at age of retirement were analyzed in studies by P Norlen, H Ostberg and A L Bjorn. The study was performed in Malmo in 1985-86 included 165 women retiring from work. Women with high intake of energy had more decayed tooth surfaces than other women. Edentulous women and women with removable dentures consumed more coffee than those women with many remaining teeth.
Components of lifestyle like dietary habits, oral hygiene practices (such as brushing ,flossing), smoking, alcohol consumption affects dental health.
People with less active life style had more symptoms related to teeth and gums and they visit dentist less often (Peterson and Nortov 1989).
How diet affects dental health -
Frequency and type of diet always have prominent effect on dental health. Fibrous food is more beneficial than high calorie highly cooked food for keeping good oral hygiene.
Snacks in between meals have negative (inverse) relation with decay of teeth or say ‘dental caries’.
Sugar is a principal factor that cause dental caries. The sugars containing dental caries, in decreasing order of cariogenicity are Sucrose, Glucose and Fructose.
In 1967, Ernest Newburn described Sucrose as ‘the arch criminal of dental caries’. This statement was based upon studies of sugar consumption per capita which shown that high caries prevalance was associated with high sugar consumption.
Vipeholm studies (1945-55) were done on patients of Vipeholm Mental Hospital in Lund, Sweden, which shown that frequency of eating and nature of sugar-containing food influenced cariogenicity. Sticky form of sugars like Caramel and chocolates are shows more cariogenicity.
No doubt sucrose is responsible for dental caries. The easiest way to prevent caries is to eliminate sucrose from the diet, but it is very difficult because sucrose is very rich source of energy available in plenty amount and most importantly it is cheap. Majority of people enjoy eating food containing sucrose.
So there have been many attempts to identify non cariogenic sugar substitute for sucrose. Some of them are Xylitol, Sorbitol, Saccharine and Cyclamate. But due to unmatching properties with sucrose, these substitutes are not being used widely. In early 1970′s studies led by professors Kauko K Makinen and Arje Scheinin (University of Turku, Finland), first discovered positive uses of xylitol in dentistry and proved that xylitol is an important supplement in prevention of dental caries.
Intake of sugar is essential for overall health however dietary control is the most important factor in prevention of dental caries.
Thus, Balanced ‘Diet’ and Healthy ‘Lifestyle’ is the important need to raise ‘Dental Health’ status.
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~ magicaldentistry 
Gum diseases – Causes and Preventive measures
If I ask ‘how many of you take care of your teeth’, then most of you readily answer with positive replies but what about gums? Do you really care to look after your gums? Good oral hygiene is not only about cleanliness and good hygiene of teeth but it also includes good hygiene of gums, tongue, palate and inner aspects of lips and cheeks. When you become careless in oral cleanliness then problems like gum diseases arise.
So What is Gum Disease and its causes?
Gum disease (Periodontal disease) is caused mainly by bacteria from present in ‘plaque associated with gums’. These bacteria in plaque produces acids and other toxins which destroy bones and tissues surrounding and supporting teeth.
There are numerous other factors causing gum diseases such as
- Hereditary and genetic factors
- Tobacco and Gutka chewing
- Ciggarette smoking
- Excessive masticatory (chewing) forces on teeth
- Certain medictions
- Some conditions like Pregnancy and Puberty.
- Certain diseases.
There are two types of gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis (pyorrhea).
Gum disease start with ‘redness’ and ‘inflammation’ of gums (gingiva) which is known as gingivitis. ‘Bleeding through gums’ while brushing can be observed mainly in moderate to severe gingivitis. In severe cases gums become swelled and inflammed. Gingivitis is reversible condition which can be preventable and curable.
In advance stages, gingivitis convert into periodontitis (pyorrhea) which further involves periodontal tissues and alveolar bone supporting tooth. Due to loss of periodontal structure teeth become loose and roots of the teeth can be seen. Periodontitis is irreversible condition and major reason of loss of teeth in adults. So it is better to take preventive measures to avoid it. Though in old age periodontitis is almost unavoidable but we need to take preventive measures to avoid periodontitis in early ages.
Preventive Measures -
Though type of gum diseases caused due to hereditary and genetic factors, old age etc are almost unavoidable but taking some preventive measure we can prevent almost all other gum diseases.
Those preventive measure includes -
- Regular brushing and flossing of teeth to remove plaque from teeth which helps to minimise chances of gum disease to occur.
- If tartar (calculus) is present in teeth then the only way to remove it is to visit your dentist office and get teeth cleaned professionally by dentist.
- Regular dental check up is very essential.
Treatment of gum diseases may include oral prophylaxis, medication such as oral rinses and medicated gels or may require periodontal surgery in advance stages.
So keep Gums healthy and Stay away from gum diseases..
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How to prevent tooth decay
In last article we have discussed about ‘ What is tooth decay (cavities in teeth) and process of tooth decay ‘. Here, we will discuss how to prevent tooth decay.
As we know tooth decay is bacterial process which cause mainly due to accumulation of food debris and tartar (plaque, calculus) on surface of tooth. So it is necessary to keep your teeth clean and prevent accumulation of food on surfaces of teeth. By maintaining good oral hygiene habits and proper eating habits anyone can prevent tooth decay.
So here are some basic things and oral hygiene methods to follow which helps preventing tooth decay.
1. Brushing and flossing your teeth -
Brushing your teeth by using proper brushing techniue twice a day using toothpaste containing fluoride helps to clean food debris accumulated on tooth surface.
Flossing everyday is best way to remove food debris in between our teeth.
2. Using mouthrinse -
Using antimicrobial mouthries prescribed by dentist for specific time period can help to reduce plaque accumulated on surfaces of teeth.
Daily use of warm gargle is best practice which is proven advantageous medically for various conditions.
Water gargles after every meal helps to prevent food lodgement on teeth.
3. Eating Habits -
Eating habits have an effect on tooth decay and plays very importaet role in process of tooth decay.
Sticky food and food containing large amount of sugars such as chocolates, cakes, jelleys, soft drinks need control and limiting intake of such type of food minimises chances of tooth decay. Sticky food remain glued to tooth surface and helps plaque to grow.
Fibrous food such as green vegetables, carrots, roots, etc should be included in every meal. Fibres are natural cleansers of teeth they helps to maintain teeth clean. So prefer fibrous food over highly cooked food which definitely help to reduce caries incidence. Consult you dietician for having diet chart and take balanced diet.
4. Visit your dentist -
Regular check up and treatment is helpful in for preventing tooth decay. Some cavities in teeth especially cavities between two teeth i.e. proximal caries are not visible to naked eyes or with diagnostic hand instruements, in such situation you might need radiograph/Xray of teeth.
Dentists may place sealants on chewing surfaces of teeth which act as shield against bacterial process of tooth decay, this sealant placement is done mostly in children in the area of deep fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth which are difficult to clean.
These are some basic method to follow to avoid cavities in teeth.
