Central Beat magazine May-July 2017 Central Beat May-July 2017 | Page 21

Central Beat/YourHealth Page 21 May 2017 Save Your Teeth, Save Your Health I n this quarter’s issue of Central Beat we are pleased to introduce a new col- umn on dental health provided by Dr Visha Ramroop. Dr Ramroop is a lec- turer in Dental Public Health at the School of Dentistry, UWI. She graduated in 2002 with a DDS (UWI) and obtained her Master’s in Dental Public Health in 2006 at King’s College London. Her prac- tice is located at the Felicity Community Dental Clinic, Victor’s Courts, No 111 Cacandee Road Felicity. Tel: [phone]. Dr Ramroop has put together some of the typical questions she gets from pa- tients and information that she thinks pa- tients need to know for a healthy mouth. If you have any questions for her do email us at [email protected] Q: Is there any connection between my oral health and my general health? Yes, there is a correlation between general health and your oral health. In the case of Diabetes, for example, periodon- tal disease is the most common manifesta- tion affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. Some other common oral symptoms of diabetics may include: dry mouth, in- creased cavities, delayed wound healing and problems tasting food. According to the Journal of American Dental Associa- tion (JADA), diabetics have 1 in 5 cases of total tooth loss linked to diabetes. Cardiovascular Diseases: the Ameri- can Heart Association published in 2012 that there is an association with gum dis- ease and heart disease. Smoking: Cigarette smoking and other tobacco products increases the risk of stained teeth, halitosis, slow healing after tooth extraction, gum diseases and in- creased risks of oral cancer. Q: How should I take care of my teeth? The basic guide to taking care of your teeth is as follows: Brushing: Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush, twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste for at least two minutes, espe- cially first thing in the morning and be- fore bedtime. Spit out excess and do not rinse after. Use fluoridated mouth rinse once daily at a time other than when brushing. Flossing: Floss daily, especially at night. Wrap floss in a C-shape and move the floss in a push pull motion and up and down against the side of each tooth. Q: Does my diet affect my oral health? Proper nutrition ensures that you con- sume a well-balanced diet. A poor diet can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. A diet that is high in carbohydrates, sug- ars and starches greatly contributes to plaque acids that demineralize enamel, to form cavities. Try to avoid snacks in between meals. It is important to note that the frequency of these foods is more noteworthy than the amount that is consumed. Try to mini- mize sweet, sticky foods to instead crunchy foods like fruits, vegetables, milk, nuts and cheese. Similarly, acidic foods and drinks can result in the wearing of enamel which can lead to sensitivity. Q: What is fluoride and why do I need it? Fluoride is the nature’s cavity fighter. Every day the enamel in your teeth is under attack from acid produced in dental plaque. Thus, the fluoride is absorbed by the enamel and remineralizes it. It can also help to reverse early signs of the decay process. There are multiple sources of fluoride such as: fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses, water fluoridation and regu- lar visits to your dentist for topical appli- cation such as fluoride varnish. Q: How do I take care of my child’s teeth? For children younger than 3 years, begin brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, as soon as their teeth emerge, no more than a smear. For children 3 to 6 years old, use no more than a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children 7 years and older should begin to use fluoridated mouth rinses. Rinse for one (1) minute then spit out. Do not rinse after. Children, with the help of their parents, can begin flossing once their teeth con- tact. Q: How often should I visit my den- tist? Dental appointments are not the same for all. Some persons may need to visit the dentist once or twice a year, whereas others my need more frequent visits. Vis- its and recall visits to the dentist are im- portant since dental problems may be spotted early on when treatment may be simpler and less costly. Each individual is unique and requires the best treatment for their healthy smile.