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| |  | EDUCATION
Did You Know?
Did you know that along with smoking, elevated cholesterol or obesity, periodontal disease (gum disease) may be a risk factor for a number of serious health conditions?
While we once believed the worst outcome of gum disease was tooth loss, we now know that 'Oral Health Matters from Head to Toe'. Poor oral health affects other parts of the body! Recently periodontal disease has been linked to:
For those with gum disease the simple acts of brushing, flossing or chewing gum can introduce bacteria into the blood stream which travels to other parts of the body. The potential is there to worsen or actually cause other types of health problems. Research is ongoing.
Did you know that gingivitis is nearly a universal finding in children?
Did you know some estimates state that 75% of the adult population over the age of 30 have some degree of gum disease? It can be localized to one area of the mouth or it can be generalized to the entire mouth and gum disease can range from mild to moderate to severe.
|  | What Can I do?
If you have or are at risk for one or more of these health conditions, it is particularly important to pay attention to your oral health. The good news is that with regular, proper oral care gum disease can be controlled or even reversed.
The Dental Hygiene Check-Up
1. Medical History Review - to ensure no medical conditions could influence your treatment.
2. Assess condition of head and neck region, tonque, gums, teeth and mouth.
3. Remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth.
4. Remove stain, give a fluoride treatment and/or desensitize teeth as needed.
5. Discuss a customized oral hygiene program and advise on matters relating to oral health.
Between Dental Hygiene Visits
1. Oral hygiene program discussed should become a daily habit to control or reduce gum disease.
2. Less than 5 minutes, 2 times a day to maintain or improve oral health.
"It's never too late or too early to develop good habits"
Infant Care
- give plain water instead of milk or sweet juices at naptime
- Clean teeth, gums and tongue with a gauze or washcloth.
Children
- Familiarize them with oral cleaning habits
- Allow child to brush on his/her own teeth in the morning and an adult clean the child's teeth at bedtime.
- First check-up at about 2 years old.
Teenagers and Adults
- Brushing 2-3 minutes twice a day
- Apply gentle pressure with toothbrush at 45 degrees to gumline
- Brush your tongue
- Floss once a day
- Curve the floss in a "c" shape around each tooth
Seniors
- Brush and floss as for adults
- Pay special attention between teeth where food and plaque may get trapped easier
- Denture wearers need regular check-ups to prevent oral health problems.
Visit your dental hygienist:Oral Health Matters
|  | Top 10 Tips
For Optimal Oral Health
1. Choose oral health care products that have the Canadian Dental Association Seal of Approval.
Products that do possess this seal of approval has been deemed safe and the product's claims have been verified.
2. Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Alcohol dehygdrates (dries out) gum tissue and cells in the mouth. It faciliates entry of harmful chemical into the soft tissue of the mouth. Alcohol can harm compostie and cosmetic (white/bonded) fillings.
3. Prevent and reduce oral inflammation by "mouth cleaning". Brushing your teeth (try using a dry brush with toothpaste/powder), scraping your tonque and cleaning the crevice between your teeth and gums are all essential to optimal oral health. Inflammation in your mouth means inflammation in your whole body. Studies have shown that inflammation leads to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, and premature labour/low birth weight in pregnancy.
|  | 4. Put the right fuel in your body. We would not even think to put the wrong fuel in our vehicles, yet we continually put the wrong fuel in our bodies. We wonder why we get cavities or gum disease. We wonder why we have no energy or have tummy troubles. We wonder why our bodies age so fast. Eat foods that are rich in colour, dark green, dark blue, purple, red and orange. |  | Try to eat whole, real foods. Foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. A variety of whole grain foods allow our bodies to get the Vitamin B Complex which keeps our body tissues health. |  | Foods that are high in calcium: green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, dried beans, almonds, sesame seeds, seaweeds and some root vegetables. |  | Vegetables that are grown in mineral-rich soil have more nutrients for our bodies to absorb. Foods rich in Vitamin D and Magnesium are required for calcium to be properly absorbed in our bodies. |  | 5. Find a balance in your life-style. Make time for work, play, family, exercise, and relaxation every day. Make a list to counteract all those "lists of things to do":
What brings joy to your life?
What are you thankful for?
Are your friendships life-enhancing?
When is your next massage booked for?
When was the last time you were outside?
When was the last time you took three deep breaths?
| | 6. Chew Xylitol gum, it stiulates natural cleansing of your mouth and prevents cavities.
|  | 7. Drink green tea, you can even swish and swallow. |  | 8. Take good quality supplements, you are worth it. Consider it part of your necessary food intake for a healthy mouth and body. It is next to impossible to receive all the nutrients we need from food. Some nutrients are needed for daily health and body function. Some are needed to repair previous damage and to heal. Some are needed to prevent and fight disease. Take an "age/activity appropriate" multi-vitamin/mineral.
Top Ten nutrients for Oral Health:
* Vitamin C: 500-1000 mg
* Bioflavonoids: 500 mg
* Coenzyme Q10: 60-180 mg
* Grapeseed Extract: 100-200 mg
* MSM (methylsulfonymethane): 1000-9000 mg
* Vitamin E (natural d-forms) Complex and Selenium, Tocopherol 400-800IU, Tocotrienols 400-800 IU, Selenium 100-200 mcg
* Calcium: 1000-1200, Magnesium500-600 mg
* Green Tea Extract 100-200 mg
* Carotenoid Complex Alpha-bete-carotene complex: 10,000 - 20,000 IU, Lutein 6-20 mg, KLycopene 6-10 mg, Zeaxanthin: 30-120 mg
* B Complex B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12: 50-100 mg.
Recommendations from Oral Health Bible, Dr. M. Bonner, Dr. E. Mindell
|  | 9. Find a dental hygienist and dentist who work with you to attain optimal oral health. |  | 10. Remember a healthy mouth can help to give you a healthy body and a longer lifetime! |
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