Hygienist's Corner

When it comes to a healthy mouth, balanced nutrition is our best friend! Many people are already familiar with the negative connection between dietary sugar and cavities, but less discussed is the positive connection between a nutritious diet and a healthy mouth. Here we will discuss aspects of a balanced and nutritious diet that can help strengthen teeth and gums.

 “Baby teeth just aren’t that important.”  FALSE, I want to scream, but I don’t.  Baby teeth are very important for a growing child in many ways.

Until just recently, the medical field was not recognizing the oral cavity as a part of the human body. When you had your check ups growing up, the doctor would ask you to “open wide” and look at your throat, bypassing the mouth. Now it has become clear that the mouth is a very important part of your body.

How can you tell if you are hitting the mark when it comes to good oral care?  Generally your teeth and gums should not be painful, feel rough or sharp to your tongue, or bleed.  Your breath should be fresh for at least a couple of hours after brushing.  The best measure of how well you are doing is what your hygienist and dentist report to you at your checkups.

There are toothpastes on the market that control tartar buildup, remove stain, desensitize teeth, bleach or whiten and offer cavity protection with fluoride. The above types of toothpastes are not for everyone.