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00:17Our mouths naturally contain bacteria, but when plaque accumulates and oral hygiene is neglected,
00:23harmful bacteria can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
00:27Dr. Dane Supol says the contribution of our mouths can also offer important clues about our general health.
00:34Oral hygiene is very important because basically your mouth can be a window to your general health.
00:40Your mouth is one of the areas where it is you always have bacteria.
00:44That bacteria is part of what you call your normal flora, it's always going to be there.
00:49The important part is the balance, the type of bacteria that's there and how long they stay in your mouth
00:55and at what levels.
00:56So oral hygiene aims to keep the healthy bacteria there and avoid the buildup of unhealthy bacteria.
01:03Dr. Supol explains that maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth is important.
01:10Plaque buildup can contribute to inflammation of the gum, while research has found associations between gum disease and cardiovascular conditions.
01:18Although this does not mean that oral health problems directly cause heart disease,
01:22it highlights why taking care of our mouths should be part of our overall approach to health.
01:28Brushing our teeth every day is important, but technique matters just as much as consistency.
01:34Dr. Supol recommended brushing twice daily.
01:37He also stresses on the importance of brushing gently to avoid damaging the teeth and gums.
01:43You should brush your teeth twice per day and when you brush your teeth, you should brush your teeth for
01:48approximately two minutes.
01:50I tell my patients the most important time to brush your teeth is the first thing in the morning before
01:56you have breakfast.
01:58Not brushing your teeth before you have breakfast is like feeding the bacteria that builds up overnight while you sleep.
02:04The higher the bacterial count in your mouth, you having breakfast, you have carbohydrates, whether it be refined sugar or
02:11starches,
02:12you're going to be feeding the bacteria, the glucose in your mouth is going to be broken down and produce
02:17acid.
02:17And that acid attack is what we want to limit. So brushing your teeth first thing in the morning.
02:22Dr. Supol says the use of a soft, bristled toothbrush and angle it at approximately 45 degrees towards the gum
02:30line,
02:30gentle short movements are preferred to aggressive horizontal scrubbing which can contribute to wear around the neck of the tooth
02:37and replacing your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become fade.
02:43What we eat and drink also affects the health of our teeth.
02:46Frequent consumption of sugary foods, sweetened drinks and sticky snacks can increase the risk of cavities.
02:53You see a lot of tooth decay in patients.
02:56If anything, sometimes I have to counsel patients and their kids because you have kids coming in, they're eight years
03:03old,
03:03their permanent molars have only been in their mouth for two years and there's severe tooth decay.
03:08When you compare that to having 70-year-old patients who have first molars that are barely affected by tooth
03:15decay,
03:16it has its origins in the type of food that we eat.
03:20And the brushing alone does not clean every surface of the teeth.
03:24Flossing or using another sustainable interdental cleaner helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth.
03:31Cleaning the tongue is another important step, particularly for people who experience persistent bad breath.
03:37Bleeding gums are one of the most important warning signs of a possible oral health problem.
03:42Healthy gums should not bleed during brushing. Bleeding may indicate gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease that requires attention.
03:50Seeing bleeding gums or seeing blood when you brush your teeth is never a good sign.
03:56It is a warning sign that you have gingivitis and your body is trying to fight an infection in your
04:02mouth.
04:02So if you see bleeding gums, you should consult your dentist.
04:07It's not all doom and gloom. Your gums are very resilient.
04:11And once you follow strict oral hygiene guidelines and you see a dentist for professional care,
04:17it may be that you need to have ultrasonic scaling polishing to get your gum disease under control.
04:24And within two weeks, you would see a return to normal so that you're not going to see any bleeding
04:29when it is you brush your teeth.
04:30Dr. Supol says early intervention and professional dental care can help manage gum disease.
04:36Persistent bleeding, swollen gums or ongoing bad breath should not be ignored.
04:42I am Charlotte Kiston with tonight's Health Watch.
