Dental Hygiene

Forrest Gump's mama told him that you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. I say you can tell a lot about a person by their teeth. When face to face with another it is difficult not to notice the condition of their ivory castles, whether discolored and crooked or pearly and straight. However, of course, the cosmetic appearance is only the surface of dental hygiene.

Our teeth and our gums play an important part in our health. Teeth need attention. Even the non-permanent milk teeth of childhood are very important. Establishing good dental hygiene begins at an early age. Teaching a little one how to brush twice a day, up and down, round and round until the teeth are clean and sparkly sets the habit for life. Trips to the dentist to make sure all is well are also important in early life so that early problems can be identified. To find a proficient dentist in whom you can place your trust is providence. Hold on to them as long as you can.

Dental hygiene is about more than just keeping the teeth clean. It is avoiding sugary substances which eat away at the enamel of our teeth. It is about massaging the gums through correct brushing to stimulate a good blood supply. Choosing a good quality tooth brush, whether electric or not, is essential, not too hard and not too soft!

Regular trips to the dentist, at least annually, will monitor our dental health. Build up of plaque on the teeth may require more frequent visits for scale and polish to avoid the dreaded dental disease of gingivitis and those of us who suffer from bleeding gums may not be attending to our dental hygiene well enough and regular flossing is advised to break up that plaque. Too many of our parents lost their teeth early and were reduced to dentures due to poor dental hygiene, losing their teeth not because of decay but gum disease.

For some of us who with heart conditions we may be advised to receive anti-biotic cover before dental treatment. This is because potentially harmful bacteria can be introduced and circulated to the heart as a result of dental procedures.

Dental hygiene is a serious health issue. Yes a nice white smile with perfect teeth is lovely but even those of us who fall short of this can maintain our dental health and do the best we can with what we have been given.