Why Good Dental Health is Important
Oral health and overall health go hand in hand. In recent years, bacterial inflammation involved in gum disease has been linked to chronic health problems like stroke, coronary artery disease, and premature low birth weight babies. In some cases, the first indication of disease shows up in the mouth. Dr. Megan Vali and her hygienist take great care to identify and treat gum disease early to keep you and your mouth healthy.
Proper oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing and eating a well-balanced diet can prevent tooth decay (cavity formation), gum disease and the development of chronic health problems.
Bacteria are always present in the mouth. When your teeth and gums are consistently exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks and even fruit juices leave deposits on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque. The combination of deposits and plaque forms acids that can damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting. Eating foods high in carbohydrates as a part of your meal neutralizes acid formation, thus preventing decay.
Select foods from the five food groups-milk, meats, vegetables, grains and fruits. Limit sweet and sticky foods. Consume healthy snacks, like cheese, nuts, raw vegetables and plain yogurt. Keep your mouth moist by drinking large amounts of water. Saliva preserves oral tissues. If you suffer from dry mouth, chewing sugarless gum or eating sugarless candy stimulates saliva.
Don’t neglect your yearly routine visits. It is important that you visit Dr. Vali regularly. She can recommend changes to your diet to improve the quality of your oral health.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and can cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or a medical problem, such as diabetes. Dry mouth and some medications can also leave an unpleasant odor. Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth.
If you recognize you have constant bad breath, document what foods you eat and what medications you are taking. Following examination, Dr. Vali can determine the cause of the odor and treat your condition accordingly.