Old School Advice and Then Some
You may have noticed a theme beginning to appear here. It is our hope and privilege to entertain you while hopefully presenting a bit of helpful knowledge laced with common sense and topped off with a smidgen of humor. We hope you enjoy yourself while here with us and we welcome your feedback, whether in the form of comments or criticism. Your responses will always be welcomed. Dental Health, Of Course We highly recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. If possible, it's best to brush immediately after every meal, to get rid of trapped food particles that will later cause bad breath or even worse, dental caries which is a fancy name for cavities. If you can't brush post-meals, use dental floss or a tooth pick to release the unwanted leftovers. Be very careful if you're using a scraper with a metal tip however; Excessive use over time can wear away your enamel, causing more harm than good. Replace your tooth brush every 3-4 months, or sooner if necessary. A frayed or worn toothbrush will not clean your teeth properly. Choose a toothbrush with softer bristles and for those of us with limited mobility in our shoulders, arms or hands, an electric toothbrush will more than make up for the lack of arm motion. Clean your dentures on a daily basis and remove them for at least 4 hours every day. Remove your partial dentures and store them at night. Let the air revitalize the lining of your mouth after extended use of your dentures and employ the proper denture cleaning products recommended by your dentist when soaking them overnight. Keep them fresh and clean for healthiest results. Drink Water Choosing fluoridated water will help prevent tooth decay at any stage of life. When drinking bottled water, scan the label to find the fluoride levels. Consult your dentist for the best advice. Something to Consider... Quit smoking and try to limit the caffeine. Sodas, coffee and nicotine stain teeth quickly and erode the enamel after prolonged ingestion. The health benefits are also so obvious that we'll spare you the speech but for cosmetic reasons, you'll be pleasantly surprised how fast and how much (poundage) you'll lose with simply cutting out the caffeine and sugar. Visit your Primary Physician Most likely,you've heard this repeatedly, however, it really hasbeen proven in many instances to be true. Early detection can save a life. What you don't know CAN hurt you, so get yourself checked out with your General Practitioner at least once a year. Your family will be glad you did and hopefully, you will too! Perform an annual audit for the following:
- Update your medication list, including your vitamin supplements;
- Update the list of your medical conditions and allergies;
- Check your physical medicine supply cabinets for date expiration and consolidate them into one area (safe and away from small children);
- Update your emergency contact info and have them at the ready for anyone needing to know in a hurry;
- Ensure your medical cards, including your general, dental, vision and Medicaid, are updated, in order and easily accessible, if need be;
From all of us at Dr. Siegel's Office of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we wish you and your family a veryMerry Holiday!
Be safe!
(Dr. Siegel acknowledges OralLongevityTM, American Dental Association (ADA), ADA Foundation (ADAF) and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH), as vital sources to this article. Thank you.)