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Nutrition    Gum Disease    Receding Gum

There are threats to oral health across the lifespan. Nearly one-third of all adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay. One in seven adults aged 35 to 44 years has gum disease; this increases to one in every four adults aged 65 years and older. In addition, nearly a quarter of all adults have experienced some facial pain in the past six months. Oral cancers are most common in older adults, particularly those over 55 years who smoke and are heavy drinkers.



Your Oral health

Society has long valued an attractive smile and shiny white teeth. As science and technology advance, however, we are learning more about the importance of keeping your gums and teeth healthy.

Quality of Life- Good oral health can positively affect your life in many ways:

Eating/Nutrition

Your mouth is for eating…
"Regular dental care to replace missing teeth or preserve denture function may be critical for the very old in maintaining a balanced diet and consuming adequate amounts of nutrients…" (Source: American Dental Association)

Social

When we aren't eating, we're smiling and talking…
"Previous consumer studies have proved that a beautiful smile will make you more attractive. But according to research… a new smile will make you appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy to others as well." (Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry)

Career

Looking your best helps you succeed…
Three out of four adults believe an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances of career success (Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry)

Increasingly, researchers are finding both direct and indirect connections between our oral health and overall health. Research has shown links between poor oral health and adverse conditions such as, Cardiovascular disease Stroke, Bacterial pneumonia, Low birth weight. The association between oral health and systemic health is still being studied, but all indications are that we will find more and more of these links as time goes on.

Things to remember

Pregnant women should get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet that includes folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and possibly cleft lip/palate. During pregnancy avoid tobacco and alcohol, and check with a doctor before taking any medications.
 
Put only water in your baby’s bottle at bedtime or naptime. Milk, formula, juices, and other drinks contain sugar. Prolonged exposure to sugary drinks while baby sleeps – when saliva flow is reduced – increases the risk of tooth decay.
 
Take your child for an oral health assessment between ages 1-2, and every six months thereafter.
 
Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride. Use a fluoridated toothpaste, putting only a pea-sized amount on your child’s toothbrush. If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a dentist or physician about the best way to protect your child’s teeth.
 
Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and to avoid frequent between-meal snacking.
 
Talk to your child’s dentist about dental sealants, which protect teeth from decay.
 
Make sure your child wears a helmet when bicycling and uses protective headgear and mouth guards in other sports activities.

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