Oral health is something that doesn't get as much press as say, heart or breast health but it certainly should be on everyone's radar because while having a yuck mouth is never cute at any age, oral health can signal more serious health issues in the body. My beloved mom was a serious tooth person. She was born before most of the water supply was fluorinated and dental care was pretty poor in general. Dentists pulled teeth often as a first line of treatment, especially for the poor. I can remember her jovial, open manner and how she'd talk to neighbors, co-workers and friends about how important it is to "get your teeth fixed." I totally appreciate having good oral care for cosmetic reasons because your teeth literally help to hold your face up. When people lose a lot of teeth, often times the bottom half of their face sinks in and the result is a "granny look" sometimes way before they're of age.
Last year I visited my dentist for my 6-month check up and was told I have 2 small cavities developing but they were too small to fill at the time. My dentist said if I floss everyday and use a good rinse it can be reversed. I did not want another filling for any reason so left his office armed with a soft bristled tooth brush, dental floss and a suggestion to buy Act Rinse. I stopped at the drug store and purchased a large bottle of Act Rinse which is different than mouthwash because they are primarily intended for fresh breath, while a good rinse is for cavity prevention. I used the floss just as I was instructed by the best dental hygienist in NYC, Ena. She is a true teeth lover that would've been great friends with my mom. She went over the nitty gritty of flossing and it was the best tutorial I've ever had on proper flossing and oral care. You take the floss under the gum to form a "C" around both sides of the tooth and pull down any food particles under the gums. When ready to get the floss out, don't pull the floss down, rather allow it to loop through the tooth at the gum line to get it out. There shouldn't be any pressure or pulling it downward/upward to release the floss.
The Act Rinse was a really smart investment and cost about $7. It made a major difference as well as the fact that I took sugar out of my diet, well mostly, since sugar adds to tooth decay. So when I arrived for my next dental appt. six months later I was nervous about those two small cavities that I worked hard to fight back. And indeed I won the war with my dentist congratulating me on having NO cavities and very little plaque. Ena and I were ecstatic and it made me realize that a really good dental hygienist is as important as a good dentist because they don't just clean your teeth and take x-rays, but teach you techniques for optimal oral care that you take with you for a lifetime and indeed pass on to your children. She's a great teacher and a lovely person who loves what she does so I find myself listening and adhering to her advise even a little more than my dentist. Because of her I pay attention to all the x-rays especially if I've had a lot of late.
I've also learned over the years that after a certain point we've all been to taught to floss and brush our teeth regularly to keep a nice smile. But dentists don't talk as much as they should about gum disease and gum erosion, which is why using a soft toothbrush is necessary and brushing at an angle where the tooth meets the gum line. Soft brushes also preserve the enamel which is a major defense for our teeth which when it's gone, it's gone. Brushing the tongue is also useful for killing nasty bacteria that lead to bad breath. Also, take notice of your tongue, is it pink or a chalky white? Do you have fine bumps on your tongue or a small pink bump on the tip of your tongue? Practitioners of eastern medicine know that all of these can give clues to your general health and the state of other organs in the body. And research recently has correlated cardiovascular health to oral health. And let's not forget Michael Douglas who is battling throat cancer which he ascribed to performing oral sex. Because the same HPV strain that causes cervical cancer in women can be transmitted orally. Remember, the dentist is the only doctor we are required to see twice a year unlike all other practitioners who we see annually or longer. So let's check our calendars and make sure we're scheduled for that next check-up.
