General Chemistry: Philippine Dental Health Month PDF

Group 1 Jacinto R. Antienero Jr. February 12, 2025 Michael Jophiel D. Basubas Chris Justin M. Mamorno General Chemistry Philippine Dental Health Month **Importance of Dental Care** - Good oral health helps you enjoy life. It lets you: speak clearly; taste, chew, and swallow delicious an...

Group 1 Jacinto R. Antienero Jr. February 12, 2025 Michael Jophiel D. Basubas Chris Justin M. Mamorno General Chemistry Philippine Dental Health Month **Importance of Dental Care** - Good oral health helps you enjoy life. It lets you: speak clearly; taste, chew, and swallow delicious and nutritious foods; and show your feelings through facial expressions such as smiling. - Taking care of your oral health prevents tooth loss due to gum disease or decay. The [American College of Prosthodontists](https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/ACP_Talking_points_for_Missing_Teeth_1-12-15.pdf) estimates 173 million Americans are missing one tooth, and more than 40 million people are missing all of their teeth. Losing even a single tooth can be detrimental to the remaining teeth, causing them to shift, increasing the risk of further decay and potential bone loss. - The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums may not seem like an important factor in your overall wellness. However, not only is your oral health connected to your overall health, but it can also play a role in your likelihood of developing certain health conditions. - Oral health is an important aspect of elderly people's overall health. Dental problems might make it difficult to ingest and absorb drugs effectively. Poor dental health care has also been linked to pneumonia and heart disease in the past. It is therefore critical to promote older people's oral health and wellbeing. - Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive -- they can also tell dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be at risk for chronic disease. New research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems. - Clean your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. This will help stop decay and gum disease as well as bad breath. Sugars in food and drinks encourage the growth of germs in plaque, so only have sugary food and drinks occasionally, and ideally have them at mealtimes. If you are thirsty, it is best to drink water. In most parts of Western Australia, the water supply contains fluoride which helps strengthen and [protect teeth against decay](https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Fluoride-and-protecting-your-teeth-from-tooth-decay). - Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks. Avoid carbohydrates such as candy, pretzels and chips, which can remain on the tooth surface. If sticky foods are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterwards. - Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay, especially if you are at a higher risk for tooth decay --- for example, if you have [dry mouth](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/teeth-and-mouth/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth#dry-mouth) because of a health condition or certain [medicines](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safe-use-medicines-older-adults). Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend a fluoride treatment during an office visit or advise that you use a fluoride gel or mouth rinse at home. - [Stop smoking](https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/ss/slideshow-13-best-quit-smoking-tips-ever). Not only is smoking bad for your [heart](https://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart) and [lungs](https://www.webmd.com/lung/picture-of-the-lungs), it can harm your teeth and gums. Smokers are seven times more likely to get gum disease than nonsmokers, and [smoking](https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/rm-quiz-stop-smoking) can lower the chances of success of some treatments.  - Visit your dental professional every six months for regular dental check-ups and cleanings. **Dental Myths and Misconceptions** MYTH FACTS ------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sugar Causes Cavities t's not the sugar itself that causes the problem. Rather, [it's the bacteria that eats the sugar](https://kidsdentalsmile.com/cavity-infection/). Sticky food, like starches, attracts bacteria to thrive on and around teeth. These bacteria produce an acid compound that promotes tooth decay. Bleeding Gums Are Normal Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is due to inflammation of the gums. Gums can become inflamed and begin to bleed due to excessive plaque buildup, the onset of gingivitis, gum disease or other causes. It's not normal Brushing Harder Cleans Better Brushing harder is counterproductive. The harder you brush, the more trauma the tooth enamel and gum tissue endure. It can eventually lead to other [problems such as gum recession](https://www.209nycdental.com/truth-gum-recession/). Flossing Is Not Really Necessary Flossing is an integral part of maintaining good oral health. [One in five Americans never flosses](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6434526/), and only 40% of those who do floss daily. Flossing removes up to 80% of plaque. Plaque deposits promote tooth decay Chewing Gum Works Like Brushing Chewing gum is not a replacement for brushing your teeth. Some chewing gums [can promote cleaner teeth and better breath](https://www.209nycdental.com/is-chewing-gum-good-for-dental-health/), and some dentists even recommend the sugar-free varieties to chew on instead of candy. However, while some chewing gums serve as aids to oral health, they still don't reach the level of being able to replace brushing your teeth. White Teeth Are Healthy Teeth Whiter teeth are not always healthier teeth. Teeth begin white, and over time, they can become discolored through staining or damage. [Whitening teeth](https://www.209nycdental.com/everything-need-know-zoom-whitening/) may leave the underlying cause of discoloration unaddressed. Charcoal Toothpaste Is Better Charcoal toothpaste is marketed for whitening but in reality, it [offers little protection for teeth](https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/charcoal-toothpaste). Charcoal toothpaste actually works against teeth by absorbing protective agents meant to keep teeth healthy and strong. Kids Don't Need to Brush Baby Teeth Poor oral health early on can lead to lifelong complications. [Kids should start brushing twicer per day](https://www.209nycdental.com/five-tips-for-getting-kids-to-brush-their-teeth/) as soon as they have teeth. Enamel Loss Causes Sensitivity Tooth sensitivity has many causes. Enamel loss can lead to sensitivity, [but so can tooth grinding](https://www.209nycdental.com/7-ways-to-stop-grinding-your-teeth/) (bruxism), abrasive toothpaste and more Gum Disease Is Only a Concern for Your Mouth The bacteria present in gum disease can spread to other parts of your body, and there are more and more studies that have connected gum disease to whole-body health concerns. Gum disease may be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and [some forms of cancer.](https://www.209nycdental.com/services/diagnostic-preventive/oral-cancer-screening/) If You Have No Oral Health Concerns, There's No Need for an Exam An exam is the best way to spot trouble before it starts. The longer problems go undetected or untreated, the harder they are to treat when you do start to notice them. [Semi-annual dental exams](https://www.209nycdental.com/services/diagnostic-preventive/dental-teeth-cleaning-checkup/) for adults and kids are the best way to maintain optimal oral health  MYTH FACTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scaling the teeth weakens them. Cleaning and scaling the teeth removes deposits from the teeth and gums, it keeps them clean and healthy. The removal of calculus prevents the loss of bone around the teeth. This prevents the problem of bad breath and gum bleeding. Getting your teeth and gums cleaned by a [dentist](https://www.kimshealth.org/trivandrum/specialities/dental-clinical-oral-maxillofacial-surgery/) is beneficial for healthy teeth and gums. Only sugar causes cavities Tooth decay can be caused by any carbohydrate intake and not just sugar. Cavities occur when bacteria produce acid in the mouth. Avoiding refined food and deep-fried food is important when aiming to stop the development of cavities. Opting to eat teeth-friendly food such as nuts and vegetables is a safer option. Diet soda doesn't cause your teeth any harm. Sodas are highly acidic, this high acid content of carbonated drinks act as fuel for the acid-loving bacteria in your mouth. Sugar-free carbonated drinks can cause just as much damage to your teeth as sugary drinks do. The pH of diet soda is 2-3 and that of water is pH 7, soda eats away at your teeth enamel. This leads to higher sensitivity, cavities, and eventual tooth loss. Children's teeth are impermanent milk teeth and do not need any treatment Milk teeth in children act as space maintainers and as guides for their permanent successors in their proper position. If children don't get regular [dental checkups](https://www.kimshealth.org/trivandrum/book-app/) they might have tooth developmental issues and underlying conditions which are left undiagnosed. Oral infections often don't leave with the falling out of milk teeth and may be carried on by permanent teeth as well, which makes it even more important to treat children for tooth decay. Wisdom teeth must be removed All wisdom teeth do not need to be removed, as long as they can erupt and function in perfect health without causing any pain or crowding. Though it is advisable to go for a routine check-up when you see the first signs of wisdom teeth coming out. Smoking simply stains the teeth and doesn't cause any major harm  [Smoking is a major cause of tooth decay](https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health#1). Smokers have more chances of developing tooth decay than non-smokers, along with that they also have more chances of developing gum disease and risk of oral cancer. Smoking causes inflammation of the gums, very bad breath, dry mouth, staining of teeth and loss of teeth gripping. It is best to avoid smoking at all costs. You can brush whenever you want to. It is recommended to set a strict routine for brushing your teeth. One must brush at least twice daily, in the morning and at night. It is very important to brush at night before you go to sleep because at night your mouth produces less saliva when you sleep and any leftover food particles can be potential fuel for mouth bacteria to produce acid and degrade the tooth enamel. Also, make sure to brush your teeth and gargle after a heavy meal. Brush with fluoridated toothpaste as that helps prevent the formation of plaque  hard toothbrush is more effective than a soft one A hard toothbrush can be very abrasive and using them too vigorously might result in the removal of the surface area of teeth. A soft toothbrush if used properly can be just as effective at cleaning your teeth without the risk of enamel loss. Flossing creates spaces between your teeth Flossing does not create any extra space between your teeth! It helps remove food debris nestled inside the spaces between your teeth and gums. This, in turn, helps prevent [tooth decay](https://www.kimshealth.org/trivandrum/blog/tooth-decay-risk-three-main-factors/) by keeping your teeth clean, healthy and free of harmful bacteria. When you start flossing for the first time they might be some slight bleeding, do not be alarmed after a few tries the bleeding ceases. If the bleeding continues even after a few turns then you should stop flossing   Oral health is not connected to the health of the rest of your body There are many correlations between your oral health and systemic (overall) health. A mouth affected by periodontal disease can cause the infection to spread to the rest of the body. You have to take care of your overall health and make sure to eat nutritious food with all the major food groups. You need to visit the dentist only when your teeth hurt This is the biggest mistake we all make when it comes to dental health. You must visit the dentist for regular check-ups, the frequency of which is dictated by your dental health practitioner. Because of frequent check-ups you will always be up to date with your oral health and will be able to treat any diseases at the preliminary stages when there is less treatment required. You should not have any dental treatment done during pregnancy It is very important to go through regular dental check-ups when you are pregnant. Inform your dental healthcare professional that you are pregnant before booking an appointment. Such regular check-ups will help prevent any problems which might hamper the absorption of nutrition and identification of any oral infection which might hamper the growth of the baby. Care will be taken that any dental treatment done during pregnancy shall not be harmful to the developing baby. **Oral Hygiene** - Practicing good oral hygiene is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It involves a regular routine of brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash. Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces.  - Does your daily routine include taking care of your mouth? Good oral hygiene is vital for your overall health. Also known as dental hygiene, oral hygiene consists of a routine of cleaning your teeth and gums. Proper oral care helps lead to healthy teeth, healthy gums, and fresh breath. - Proper oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth and gums. This includes daily brushing and flossing. In addition, you should see your dentist regularly for dental exams and cleanings. Preventative dentistry gives you the best chance for a beautiful smile and long-lasting oral health. - Oral Hygiene includes all the processes for keeping mouth clean and healthy. Good oral hygiene is necessary for prevention of dental caries and other dental problems. - Oral hygiene cleaning the teeth and the oral cavity of the patient. It includes the measures to prevent the spread of disease from mouth and increase the comfort of the patient. **Teeth: Anatomy, Types, Functions & Care**  **References** **Importance of Dental Care** Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Prevention **Dental Myths and Misconceptions** **Oral Health** **Teeth: Anatomy, Types, Functions & Care**