Don't Hide Your Smile, Smile Bigger!
Date: 04/08/21
Our mouth is one of the most important parts of our body. We rely on it to eat, communicate and smile. Without it, we’d be lost. That’s why keeping our mouth, gums and teeth clean and healthy should be a top priority.
The best way to keep your mouth healthy is to practice good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, while avoiding or limiting foods that aren’t good for your teeth. Certain foods and beverages can cause plaque, a bacteria-filled sticky film that damages your teeth. Teeth damage due to plaque contributes to gum disease and tooth decay.
Foods To Avoid or Limit | Foods To Not Avoid |
|---|---|
Sticky candies and sweets | Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables |
Starchy foods that can get stuck in your mouth, like bread or potato chips | Cheese, milk, plain yogurt, and other dairy products. |
Carbonated soft drinks | Green and black teas |
Substances that dry out your mouth like alcohol | Sugarless chewing gum |
When you eat a sugary snack or meal, the sugars cause bacteria to release acids. Those acids attack the enamel of your teeth, the part that keeps them strong and healthy. When the enamel breaks down, cavities can develop.
According to the CDC, cavities are the most common chronic disease faced by people aged 6 to 19 years old. That’s why it’s crucial for children to learn healthy dental practices while they are growing up. When children practice good oral hygiene, it makes a big difference in the long run.
Children and adults should brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and also floss once a day. If you don’t, your plaque will harden and turn into tartar. Tartar buildup on your gums can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
Your oral health can offer clues about your overall health. For example, people who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease. Since your oral health is deeply connected to your overall health, it makes sense that problems in your mouth can also affect the rest of your body.
These conditions may be linked to your oral health:
- Endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves
- Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease
- Pregnancy and birth complications
- Pneumonia, a respiratory disease
- Diabetes
- HIV/AIDS
- Osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease
- Alzheimer's disease
- Lowered self-esteem
As Louisiana Healthcare Connections members, you and your family have great dental benefits. Members age 21 and over get up to $500 in dental benefits per calendar year. This includes services like plaque removal and deep cleaning, in addition to fillings, extractions, X-rays and semi-annual exams. You will leave each dental appointment with a new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss so you can keep your smile healthy at home.
It’s important to remember that no one is perfect! Having a sweet snack sometimes or forgetting to floss one day is normal. When this happens, just keep moving forward and continue practicing good oral health care. Don’t forget to schedule your dental appointments twice a year, and be sure to talk to your doctor about how your oral hygiene is impacting your overall health.