Tag Archives: dental health
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 
Common Oral and Dental Health Problems (Part 2)
In first part of ‘ common oral and dental health problems ‘, we have discussed about some common oral (dental) health problems such as Bad breath (Halitosis), gum disease, cavites in tooth (tooth decay) and Sensitivity in teeth. Next coming some more oral (dental) health related common complains and problems.
5. Toothache (tooth pain and Fractured teeth) -
Toothache is pain in tooth which may be due to various reasons like tooth decay, tooth sensitivity or fractured teeth etc.
You can consult your dentist and know about underlying cause. Most of the times radiographs (Xray) of tooth/teeth is necessary to detect the cause of tooth pain.
6. Oral sores (oral ulcers) -
Oral sores/ulcers commonly known as mouth ulcers are sometimes painful and bothersome which cause discomfort.
Most common among them are oral apthous ulcer (Canker Sores). Some other types are blisters, cold sores, thrush etc.
There are many reasons for occurence of canker sores such as stress, local trauma, nutritional deficiency etc. Their treatment depend upon underlying cause and severity. However minor apthous ulcers (canker sores) can be treated by warm saline gargles, application of medicaments as prescribed by dentist.
7. Unesthetic appearance -
Some patient complains about unesthetic or unattractive appearance of teeth such as irregular teeth, forwardly placed teeth, spacing in teeth, discolored or yellowish teeth. Unesthetic appearance results in unattractive smile which in turn may lower a persons self-esteem.
Luckily, due to advancement in dentistry and dental treatment anyone can have beautiful smile with the help of Cosmetic Dental Treatment. Cosmetic Dental Treatment include straightening of irregular teeth, bleaching of teeth, dental veneers etc.
8. Tooth Attrition and Tooth erosion -
Attrition of tooth is the loss of tooth structure by mechanical forces from opposing teeth, it occure due to constant wear and tear of teeth whereas tooth erosion is loss of tooth structure caused by acids attacking the tooth enamel.
The most common cause of attrition is Bruxism, characteristic feature of attrition of tooth is developement of facet, facets are characterised by flat surface with circumscribed and well defined border.
Tooth Erosion can cause mild dental problem from tooth discoloration and sensitivity to more severe dental problems like indentation of teeth or cracked teeth.
So these are some Oral (Dental) health related problems apart from these there are so many problems, condition and diseases such as dental fluorosis, oral cancer etc which we will see in next articles.
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Common Oral and Dental Health Problems (Part 1)
Oral Health (Dental Health) problems are common in almost everybody. Most of oral health/dental health problems can be prevented easily by means of keeping good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing and flossing of teeth, frequent water gargles and rinsing. Regular dental check up is also important to let us know oral condition, dental check up every 6 months is recommended. Eating habits and intake of food also play an important role in preventing oral (dental) health problems.
In this article we are going to read about common oral or say dental health problems which we experience in our day to day life.
1. Bad breath (Halitosis) -
Bad breath is also known as Halitosis which is the most common oraodental health issue and can be embarrassing.
some common oral (dental) causes which lead to bad breath/Halitosis are gum diseases, accumulation of tartar and food debris on teeth, tooth cavities, dry mouth, accumulation of bacteria on tongue and so on. Other systemic conditions like gastrointestinal disturbances may also lead to Halitosis.
Halitosis can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene and by treating the root cause for condition.
2. Gum diseases (Periodontal diseases) -
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the infection in gums and periodontium (i.e. tissues that surrounds and support teeth).
Two major stages of gum disease are Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Initially gum disease start as gingivitis which is inflammation of gums (gingiva) which if persists later on progress and involves alveolar bone (bone supporting teeth) is know as periodontitis which is an irreversible condition.
Studies have shown that periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in adults.
Gum diseases can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkup and treatment.
3. tooth decay (cavities in teeth) -
Tooth Decay or say Cavities in teeth is very common and major oral/dental health problem.
Tooth decay is decomposition and demineralisation of tooth by acids produced by bacterias with the help of food debris and plaque accumulated on teeth surface.
Tooth decay is know as ‘Dental Caries’ in scientific term.
Tooth decay (dental caries) is also preventable. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check ups and also by avoiding snacks in between meal and intake of drinks which are high in sugar.
4. Sensitivity in teeth -
Sensitivity in teeth is pain or discomfort in teeth from cold water, ice cream, hot drinks, sweets or even with brushing or flossing.
You can get good treatment for tooth sensitivity from your dentist.
In part two ‘ common oral and dental health problems ‘ we will discuss about some other common oral (dental) problems like Toothache and fractured teeth, Oral Sore (oral ulcers), unesthetic or unattractive teeth appearance and tooth attrition and tooth erosion.
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