5 Facts Your Dentist Wants You to Know

Think you know everything you need to know about oral health? Most of us understand the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, but there are a lot of other things we may not know, that could help us maintain a healthier smile—and a healthier body. To be sure you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself, check out the following five facts.

1. SUGARLESS GUM
Believe it or not, those Trident commercials weren’t lying. There is some evidence that chewing sugarless gum can help reduce tooth decay. Particularly if you chew after meals and snacks, gum stimulates saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria, and lowers the acidity in your mouth. Of course, no gum is a substitute for brushing and flossing, but it can help keep bacteria at bay throughout the day—as well as freshening your breath!

2. BRUSHING TOO HARD 
Many people associate cleaning with muscle. After all, how many times have you been told to “apply a little elbow grease?” When it comes to your teeth and gums, however, brushing too hard is downright dangerous, and can cause painful, inflamed and receding gums as well as sensitive teeth. Choose a brush with soft bristles, and lighten up on that grip!

3. CHILDREN ARE IN TROUBLE 
Oral hygiene is such a basic, common skill, you’d think our children would all have sparkling mouths and beautiful teeth. Sadly, this isn’t the case. In 2000, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report stating that the oral health of children was going unmet. According to the Washington Dental Service, oral disease among children is five times as common as asthma. Since poor oral health can lead to poor performance in school, encourage other health problems, cause social difficulties, and reduce success later in life, it’s vital that children are taught good oral hygiene habits, and given regular dental checkups.

4. GUM DISEASE 
A 1995 study showed that women with gum disease were seven times more likely to have a pre-term delivery of a lowbirth- weight child. Researchers speculated the bacteria that cause the disease could have stimulated labor-inducing chemicals in the body. To give your child the benefit of a full-term pregnancy, stay on top of your dental health while you’re pregnant!

5. DIABETES 
As if you didn’t have enough to worry about! However, researchers have found that if you have diabetes, you’re almost twice as likely to develop periodontal disease. Unstable blood sugars increase risk of infection, in the mouth as well as the rest of the body. Dry mouth, which can occur with diabetes or as a result of medications, raises acidity in the mouth and increases the chance for tooth decay. If you have diabetes, be extra diligent in your oral hygiene, and stay current with your dental checkups.

Dr. Yekaterina LEVIN
7000 Bay Pkwy. , Ste. C
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 837-1797