Things You Should Know About Your Teeth

Facts Your Dentist Won't Tell You

Sep 18, 2009 Alicia Richardson

Our teeth and mouths are part of our bodies. If there's something wrong in the body, it can be reflected in our overall health.

Many medical disorders affect our health. Some bring physical pain , but many others are "painless" like high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc.until it becomes too late. Here are some things to consider.

• Bad breath. This suggests plaques under the gum line. See your dentist or dental hygienist for regular cleaning to eliminate plaques. Brushing them does not go deep enough to reach the plaques that causes bad breath. If you still have bad breath, check your diet and see your doctor. You may have other health problems. Floss everyday and get your teeth cleaned every few months.
• If you have bad breath, your dentist won't tell you unless you ask.
• Mouthwashes with alcohol dry out the mouth. If you have bad breath, it will come back after an hour or so.
• Bleeding gums. Even a little "bleeding" while brushing your teeth is not alright. If your gums are bleeding while brushing your teeth, you have periodontal disease. It is caused by a number of bacteria such as Porphyroma gingivalis, Tanerella forsythensis, Treponema denticola, Streptococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus sanguis. These bacteria have been linked with heart disease. Bleeding gums and bone loss around the teeth are also some of the first signs of diabetes or prediabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled, bacteria in the saliva flourishes.
• Flossing is useless with advanced gum disease. Instead, see a dentist to treat the disorder.
• Floss everyday and get your teeth cleaned every few months. Brushing them does not go deep enough to reach the plaque that causes bad breath. If you still have bad breath, check your diet and see your doctor.
• Brush all your teeth - not just the front. Spend 10 minutes of brushing and flossing everyday. Most people spend 2-3 minutes brushing and flossing their teeth and children do it even less.
• Electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes.
• Do not let your baby or child go to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. It will rot their teeth.
• Do not taste the baby's food and use the same spoon to feed your baby. You can transfer the bacteria from your mouth to your baby.
• Children with dental problems do not do well in school because they may have toothaches.
• Pay attention to baby/children's teeth. When their teeth fall out prematurely, other teeth will come out and crowd in to fill in the gap, creating a possible mess.
• Chew xylitol-sweetened chewing gum to reduce the bad bacteria in your mouth. It changes the chemistry of your mouth. Chew 6 -7 pieces of xylitol gum daily to keep cavities away.
• Use a fluoride rinse or gel before or after brushing your teeth to make them less sensitive.
• Mouth piercing (tongue, lip etc.), increases the risk of infection particularly if not performed in a sterile environment.
• Bleaching your teeth too often can thin the enamel and your teeth can end up looking translucent.
• Do not smoke. Compounds in cigarette smoke get in your teeth and gums where they pose danger.
• Don't eat a meal with too much garlic or onions before seeing your dentist.

References

"The Effects of Oral Health on Overall Health" It's Your Health Health Canada Website August 8, 2008

"Gum Disease" It's Your Health Health Canada Website June 23, 2008

Krebs KA et al. "Bacterial Profile and Burden of Periodontal Infections in Subjects with a Diagnosis of Acute

Coronary Syndrome" Journal of Periodontology 2006;77(4):1110-1119

"Diabetes and Your Oral Health" Oral Health Topics American Dental Association Website 1995-2009

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