Summertime is fast approaching. Many people made worthy resolutions and goals at the start of the year, and diet and exercise often top that list. However, having better oral health should also be a main goal for people. Why? Studies show that more than ½ of all American children and adults have tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. Almost all of those oral problems can be avoided with simple, effective oral hygiene habits. Find out why people should be more concerned about their oral health and what small measures you can take each day to avoid disease, decay and problems the rest of the year!

Top Oral Health Problems

Did you know that your oral health is an indication of your overall health? There are many chronic conditions that get worse if you aren’t taking care of your oral health and vice versa. Oral health problems are more common than you think. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most “chronic, prevalent diseases” among children and adults in America, according to the National Institutes of Health. Gum disease is another oral problem that tops the list of major conditions plaguing Americans.

This disease affects more than 64.7 million American adults, not counting the amount of children that have it. If a person doesn’t take care of their gums through proper brushing and flossing, the gums eventually recede, causing the teeth to fall out. Tooth decay also causes the teeth to fall out, but only in very severe cases. This condition is also known as “cavities” or “dental caries”. If you are like 90% of people, you have had this oral health problem at some point or another. Other common dental problems include:

• Dry mouth
• Tooth erosion
• Oral cancer
• Cold sores/Mouth sores
• Bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity
• Toothaches/Dental emergencies
• Crooked teeth/Bite and alignment problems

Goals for Better Oral Health

If you make goals for your diet and exercise every year, consider making a goal now and at the start of the new year to always have better oral health. Not enough people take care of their dental health. Consider the facts:

• Only 65% of people see their dentist each year. From that number, only a percentage see the dentist twice a year.
• 92% of adults between 20 and 64 have had at least one cavity.
• People over 65 have a significantly higher risk for gum disease and tooth decay problems, as well as tooth erosion and shifting teeth.
• Up to 19% of children between 5 and 19 have untreated cavities, and over 31% of people over that age have them.
• Fewer people visit the dentist as they age, which is part of the reason dental health problems rise as a person gets older.

These are only a few facts about dental health in the United States. Instead of focusing all your efforts on diet and exercise, consider focusing some of your resolution energy on having better dental health. In fact, your diet can even help give you better oral health this year.

Better Diet, Better Teeth

Before you reach for that diet soda or a candy bar, take a minute to think about what you are eating. There are many foods that can damage your teeth. Simply avoiding them or reducing how much you have can help you improve your oral health this summer and for the rest of the year. Foods that damage teeth that you should consider reducing in your diet include:

• Sugary foods. Almost every food has sugar in it nowadays. However, you can reduce foods that are almost pure sugar, such as candy bars, gummies, ice cream and more. Sugar mixes with bacteria in the mouth and forms plaque, which is the substance that erodes and decays your teeth. More sugar means a higher risk for decay.
• Carbonation. What gives sodas that bite? Carbonation is actually a chemical reaction happening between carbon dioxide and water. This creates carbonic acid, which is what carbonation is. That acid erodes your tooth enamel, and is so acidic that you should wait 20-30 minutes before brushing your teeth after drinking so you don’t take off a layer of your enamel.
• Citric acid. This is another acid that is found in citrus fruits and drinks. Many berries such as oranges, limes and lemons have this acid in them that can erode teeth.

Comprehensive Examinations Twice a Year

If you have a poor diet, or one full of sugar or carbonated drinks, you can see a change in the amount of cavities and dental problems you have by changing your routine. Reduce the sugary foods you eat. Switch to water instead of juices or sodas. Another great thing to do? Visit the dentist! The American Dental Association recommends that all every person visit the dentist at least twice a year. That includes infants as soon as they have their first tooth. A comprehensive exam includes services such as the following:

• Examination of all the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
• Full oral cancer screening to check for any dental growths or abnormalities.
• Digital x-rays to detect tooth decay, internal infection, and bite and alignment issues.
• Full dental cleaning that includes polishing, brushing, flossing, scaling with probing tools, tartar and plaque removal, and fluoride treatment.

These services at least twice a year can help stop tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems before they become severe. Working closely with a dentist with existing dental problems is the best way to help them go away quickly.

Better Oral Health at Home

The best part about improving your oral health is that you can do it right in your own home! The ADA recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing 1-2 times a day. If you do these simple habits every day, or even after every meal, your dental health problems can diminish significantly. So what are you waiting for? Get better oral health with these few simple tips and call Mountain Aire Dentistry to learn more ways to improve your oral health!