3 Step Guide to Healthier Teeth

May 09, 2010, By Charles Manley 0 comments

Glancing around the table this Easter, I became convinced that most of the men in my family clearly have never had teeth. Those craggy smiles must have been their genetic allotment from birth. However, the women flaunt their pearly whites. Despite a few fillings and modest signs of orthodontic assistance, they all have fully functioning sets of teeth. Only the men in my family are what "Seinfeld's" Kramer would call "antidentites."

Men nationwide are far less likely to take care of their physical health than women. This is doubly true when it comes to oral hygiene. Most of my family have lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., for the last 50 years, the birthplace of the government fluoridation project. Clearly fluoride isn't a panacea for all dental ailments. Constant daily oral care and regular visits to the dentist are what keep your chompers in your mouth. Here are three tips to keep your pearly whites healthy and cavity free.

1. A Healthy Grill Can Save Your Sick Leave and Even Your Life

The importance of good dental hygiene goes beyond simply keeping your grill looking glamorous. According to the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, gum disease can lead to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. Even red or bleeding gums and persistent bad breath can be signs of more serious issues best treated early.

2. Common Problems for the Antidentite Male

In a recent poll, the AGD found that 45 percent of American males don't see a need to regularly visit the dentist. Many will suffer with chronic pain for weeks or months before scheduling an appointment. If left untended, plaque buildup and tartar cause a number of different problems such as:

Cavities. These are holes in the structure of the tooth caused by bacterial decay. They can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection and even death in extreme cases.

Gingivitis. The inflammation, irritation or bleeding of the gums. It can lead to mouth sores, swollen gums, bad breath and periodontitis.

Periodontitis. The deterioration of the ligaments that hold and support the teeth. It often leads to tooth loss and halitosis. According to studies in the Journal of the American Heart Association, it can also lead to an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis and impairments in memory and calculation abilities.

3. Taking Care of Your Pearly Whites

Taking care of your oral health only takes a few minutes a day. Just as your mother always told you, it is important to floss daily (buy an electric flosser or water pick if you have to), brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and visit your dentist once every six months for cleaning and a checkup.

Here are a few more tips for better dental health:

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. If it becomes bent or frayed, replace it with a new one.

Use fluoride toothpaste. According to the AGD, this can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.

Drink water. Most tap water in the United States contains fluoride. Most bottled water does not.

Brush gently. There's no reason to remove your gums along with the plaque.

Get plenty of vitamin D and calcium. Because everyone likes teeth and no one likes osteoporosis. Fish with the bone in such as canned sardines are a great source of both vitamin D and calcium.

Eating with Teeth is More Fun Than Eating Teeth

"I've found it," my father exclaimed halfway through our Easter dinner, pulling out of his mangled mouth a dental cap that he thought was a bone from the ham. Whatever your sentiments about dentists, taking care of your teeth must certainly be more enjoyable than eating them.