Dentists Recommend for Healthy Teeth

The focus, they say, has been taken off oral health and too much emphasis has been put on cosmetic matters. To return the focus to those matters, here are the tips you should be following for healthy teeth and gums.

Sugar is one of the primary enemies of good oral health, most dentists agree. The problem is how ubiquitous sugar is in all of its forms. Though there has been something of a smear campaign against high fructose corn syrup as of late, the truth is that no refined sugar is good for the body and it certainly isn’t good for the teeth. And it’s everywhere.

Soda, fruit juice, cookies, starches of all kinds (particularly the white, refined kind). All of these contribute not only to the nation’s obesity epidemic, but to cavities as well. Fruit is a good source of sugar, although you should be careful when eating the dried variety, which has some of the same properties as refined sugar. Both adults and children should limit their consumption of sugar.

Many dentists note that gum disease is often overlooked when it comes to potential oral health problems. The truth is that gingivitis and other ailments of the gum is a much more likely cause of tooth loss than direct tooth decay.

A number of factors can lead to gum disease, including poor hygiene, poor diet, alcoholism, and malnutrition. In most cases, it is the buildup of plaque that leads directly to gingivitis. Even those who couldn’t care less about the condition of their teeth and gums should take heed: some studies have shown that there may be a link between gum disease and the potential for heart attack.

Many dentists point out that just as there are bad foods, there are also good ones that promote healthy teeth and gums. These foods include sugarless gum, which can act as a saliva stimulator. Saliva helps remove acid and food particles from the teeth, decreasing the chance for decay and plaque buildup. If you can get into the habit of brushing your teeth after meals or at least rinsing your mouth out, it will have a beneficial effect as well.