Basic Dental Care
Overview
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/dental-health/dental-care/basics/basic-dental-care?affiliate_code=hon§ion=section_00&msc=A63286
Date updated: July 09, 2007
Paul Lehnert
Content provided by Healthwise
Is this topic for you?
This topic provides information on basic dental care. If you are looking for information on tooth decay or cavities, see the topic Tooth Decay. If you are looking for information on gum disease (periodontal disease), see the topic Gum Disease.
What is basic dental care?
Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.
Why is basic dental care important?
Practicing basic dental care:
Prevents tooth decay.
Prevents gum (periodontal) disease, which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist and makes the trip more pleasant.
Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
Improves overall health.
Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.
Are there ways to avoid dental problems?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.
Floss at least once a day, and brush your teeth after meals, snacks, and before bed. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease, as well as other health problems.1
Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.
When should my child start seeing a dentist?
By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems.2 If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear, whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.
Experts recommend that your child's dental care start at 12 months of age.2 If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about basic dental care:
What is basic dental care?
How do I choose a dentist for my child?
Being diagnosed:
How will my dentist examine my teeth?
When should my child start dental care?
Getting treatment:
How will my dentist care for my teeth?
What is the best way to brush and floss my teeth?
How does what I eat affect my dental health?
Ongoing concerns:
What is it like to get a filling?
Will my child need fluoride?
Does teeth whitening work?
How can I deal with being nervous about going to the dentist?
What special concerns do older adults have?
How do I pick a dentist for my child?
Section: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next: Health Tools
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Losing Hair? Check Your Teeth
Losing Hair? Check Your Teeth
Alopecia Tied To Dental Health
http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/health/14704332/detail.html?rss=hon&psp=health
POSTED: 6:46 am HST November 27, 2007
UPDATED: 8:04 am HST November 27, 2007
People who have started to lose hair -- either on their scalp or on other body parts -- may need to visit a dentist, according to researchers in Granada.
Researchers there said that the bald patches, called alopecia areata or localized alopecia, are closely tied to infections of the teeth.
"We have found that bald patches caused by tooth infection are not always in the same place. They normally appear on a line projected from the dental infection and can thus can be located on the face at the level of the maxillary teeth, above a line through the lip-angle to the scalp, beard, or even to the eyebrow. Nevertheless, they can also be located far from infection outbreak," authors Gil Montoya and Cutando Soriano said in a news release.
They said alopecia typically appears as one or more round bald patches on the scalp, in the beard or in the eyebrows. Some people lose their eyelashes. Usually, the hair regrows in a few months, though there can be relapses.
Alopecia is thought to affect 1 in 1,000 people.
The researchers said some cases of alopecia may be auto-immune problems, meaning the body attacks hair follicles as if they were invaders.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Alopecia Tied To Dental Health
http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/health/14704332/detail.html?rss=hon&psp=health
POSTED: 6:46 am HST November 27, 2007
UPDATED: 8:04 am HST November 27, 2007
People who have started to lose hair -- either on their scalp or on other body parts -- may need to visit a dentist, according to researchers in Granada.
Researchers there said that the bald patches, called alopecia areata or localized alopecia, are closely tied to infections of the teeth.
"We have found that bald patches caused by tooth infection are not always in the same place. They normally appear on a line projected from the dental infection and can thus can be located on the face at the level of the maxillary teeth, above a line through the lip-angle to the scalp, beard, or even to the eyebrow. Nevertheless, they can also be located far from infection outbreak," authors Gil Montoya and Cutando Soriano said in a news release.
They said alopecia typically appears as one or more round bald patches on the scalp, in the beard or in the eyebrows. Some people lose their eyelashes. Usually, the hair regrows in a few months, though there can be relapses.
Alopecia is thought to affect 1 in 1,000 people.
The researchers said some cases of alopecia may be auto-immune problems, meaning the body attacks hair follicles as if they were invaders.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Losing weight can help fight cancers
Losing Weight Fights Cancer, Doctor Says
Modest Losses Can Make Big Difference
POSTED: 4:10 am HST November 1, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Eat your vegetables, lose weight and prevent cancer.
That sums up key recommendations from a panel of experts.
They're cited in a report by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund.
Dr. Philip James, head of the International Obesity Task Force, said a review of many research studies has found convincing evidence that obesity "causes more cancers than we thought."
According to James, even modest weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and that physical activity, even in limited amounts, has a similar benefit.
James said the long-standing recommendation to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables every day is more important than ever. He said two-thirds of each plate of food you eat should be vegetables, fruit, whole grains or beans.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Modest Losses Can Make Big Difference
POSTED: 4:10 am HST November 1, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Eat your vegetables, lose weight and prevent cancer.
That sums up key recommendations from a panel of experts.
They're cited in a report by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund.
Dr. Philip James, head of the International Obesity Task Force, said a review of many research studies has found convincing evidence that obesity "causes more cancers than we thought."
According to James, even modest weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and that physical activity, even in limited amounts, has a similar benefit.
James said the long-standing recommendation to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables every day is more important than ever. He said two-thirds of each plate of food you eat should be vegetables, fruit, whole grains or beans.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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