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Dental
Health
Good oral hygiene
is more than just brushing and flossing. There are other
steps you should take if you want your teeth to last a
lifetime. Some people assume that they will lose their teeth
as they age, but that doesn't have to happen. According to
the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine,
they suggest the following steps to keeping your teeth and
your mouth healthy:
- Understand your own
oral-health needs. Talk to your dentist or dental
hygienist about special conditions in your mouth, and the
ways your general health affects your mouth.
- Commit to a daily
oral-health routine. Based on your discussion with
your dentist or dental hygienist, come up with an
effective oral-health routine that's easy to follow.
- Use fluoride.
Everyone can benefit from fluoride, not just children.
Fluoride strengthens developing teeth in children and
helps prevent decay in adults and children.
- Brush and floss to
remove plaque. Everyone should brush and floss at
least once a day, preferably twice or after every
meal.
- Limit snacks,
particularly those high in simple sugars, and eat a
balanced diet. Every time you eat, particles of food
become lodged in and around your teeth, providing fuel
for bacteria. If you must snack, brush your teeth or chew
sugarless gum afterward.
- If you use tobacco
in any form, quit. Smoking or using smokeless tobacco
increases your risk for oral cancer gingivitis,
periodontitis adn tooth decay. It also contributes to bad
breath and stains on your teeth.
- Examine your mouth
regularly. Look for changes that might be of concern
like swollen gums, chipped teeth, discolored teeth or
sores or lesions on your gums, cheeks and tongue.
- Visit your dentis
regularly. You should at least see your dentist twice
a year. Discuss this with your dentist as some people
need to be seen more often.
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