Oral Health: What You Need to Know

I went to my 6-month dental check-up this week, and it really got me thinking about how dental health and overall oral health are important to our entire health. I think this is something we often take for granted unless there is a problem. Sure, we brush our teeth once or twice a day, but is there more we should be doing, and why should we be doing it?

When I was at the dentist's office, the hygienist said I needed to floss my teeth every day. She saw some minor bleeding with my gums. I got x-rays, which were good, and they told me my gum recession was at a 1-2, and that was what they like to see. I told them about some pain I am having in one of my lower front teeth, and we also discussed whitening my teeth. I have one upper front tooth that had trauma when I was younger, and it is discolored as a result.

Because of my tooth pain, I am being referred to an orthodontist to see what they recommend. My tooth has been pushed forward by crowding from my other teeth, and it is making the bone weaken. This is causing me pain when I eat.

To help with the discoloration of my teeth, he suggested I first start with an over-the-counter whitener. He said this would help, but it would not make the injured tooth exactly the same color as the others. This is the least invasive option, so I will start there first. I chose the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips.

After my visit, I started thinking about what if I hadn't gone. My teeth would not have gotten their bi-annual deep cleaning (I love how clean my teeth feel after a visit to the dentist!), and I wouldn't have the comfort of knowing that my bone health was good, as well as my gum health. I would have continued to have tooth pain. I am a big believer in prevention, so this gave me piece-of-mind.

So, what should we be doing for our oral health on a daily basis? We should be brushing our teeth a minimum of twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Many dentists recommend using mouthwash afterward as well.

For me, my dentist recommended Act Zero Alcohol Mouthwash. I use the Restoring formula. He also recommended that I use Colgate Gel-Kam at night to help with my tooth sensitivity and plaque build-up, in addition to the Colgate Sensitive toothpaste that I already use. I believe this is why I had a better check-up this time. I also have been using an electric toothbrush to get my teeth cleaner.

Why is oral health so important? Our mouths are the gateway into the rest of our body. It is a dark and moist place, which is excellent for bacteria to grow. It feeds on food particles left behind. This bacteria can cause not only bad breath and cavities in our teeth but also gum disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 47 percent of people aged 30 years and older in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. In its early stages, it is referred to as gingivitis, and the gums may become swollen, red, or tender and bleed easily. If left untreated, it becomes periodontitis, a more severe form of the disease where the gums begin to recede, bone can be lost, and teeth can become loose or even fall out.

With periodontitis, bacteria can travel into the bloodstream, where they can spread to different organs. This can be very dangerous. A person can even become septic. This can be deadly.

There is also some evidence of an association between diabetes and oral health. They seem to have a reciprocal relationship. Periodontal disease seems to increase the risk for diabetes, and diabetes increases the risk for periodontal disease.

It is also recommended that you visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and complete check-up. You will periodically need X-rays, but your dentist will keep track of when they are needed. This preventative maintenance will help with your oral health.

What else can you do for oral health? Make sure you have proper nutrition. Some of the top nutrients needed include calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin K2, and potassium.

Although our teeth aren't technically bones, they still need calcium. Without it, our teeth can weaken and even break. Vitamin D, the "sunshine" vitamin, works alongside calcium to keep our teeth from fracturing. When you don't have enough Vitamin D, you are more likely to have gingivitis, enamel defects, and periodontal disease.

Vitamin C is important for preventing scurvy, which can cause bleeding gums, gingivitis, and loose teeth. It doesn't just happen to pirates! Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and in supplements.

Vitamin K2 helps protect your mouth from the damaging effects of sugar. Sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay. It also prevents your mouth from cleaning itself and getting rid of bad bacteria by reducing the amount of saliva, which naturally cleans your mouth. Vitamin K2 is an antioxidant that helps reduce the damage caused by sugar by giving your saliva the dentinal fluid flow it needs for a healthy mouth.

Your oral microbiome is second only to your gut microbiome, and it's very important in preventing bad bacteria from taking over. Potassium helps to balance your oral microbiome, keeping the good bacteria in and the bad bacteria out. Potassium can be added to your diet by eating more bananas or taking a daily multivitamin.

I know this was a long post, but I think it is important to highlight oral health because it is frighteningly overlooked, in my opinion. Please make sure to take care of your teeth and gums so they, in turn, can take care of you throughout your life.

Do you have a favorite dental product that you use and recommend? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!