Sakal Times
02 July 2010

You are exhausted after a hard day’s work and head straight to the bed. You are too tired to brush or floss your teeth. You don’t have the time, energy or inclination to go through the routine stuff. But, if you skip theses daily dental routines, you are heading for trouble. Remember that your teeth and smile depends a lot on these simple dentalcare habits. Dr Ravi Sapra says, “Oral health begins with clean teeth. In an age where we are all fighting to stay healthy and fit, a healthy smile is something which we long for. In fact, the condition of your dental health reflects on your general health. Ideally, teeth should be cleaned after every meal, but most people tend to overlook it.”

When you are pregnant
Dental problems can occur in different stages in life. The most common problems occur due to poor dental hygiene leading to plaque formation, hormonal imbalance commonly seen during pregnancy and menopause. It aggravates the negative effects of plaque. Simple tasks like improper brushing, not flossing, not rinsing properly will lead to the accumulation of food particles in the mouth and lead to tooth decay. If proper care is not taken immediately, the bacteria in the mouth may lead to swollen and bleeding gums. Ultimately, it may cause bad breath, decay, gum disease and weakening of teeth.

During pregnancy, the most common ailment is gingivitis or bleeding gums. In extreme cases, a large localised swelling of the gum may occur known as pregnancy tumour. But, there is nothing to worry, as this swelling is not cancerous. Women should guard against being lethargic and negligent about their oral health during this period. You must get a dental check-up and cleaning done at least twice in your pregnancy.

Other problems like bad breath may happen also due to acidity and sore throat. Women in their menopausal period must have regular dental check-ups to minimise the negative effects of plaque and hormonal imbalance.

A good intake of vitamin C
A balanced diet and proper intake of vitamins and minerals ensures a set of healthy teeth and gums. These, together with good oral hygiene, can help prevent dental cavities, bad breath and gum diseases. Vitamins such as vitamin C, flavonoids and Coenzyme Q10 are antioxidants that help protect your gums against cell damage and promote healing. Vitamin C also helps in building collagen that is vital for building all living tissues. It also acts as a shield against bacterial penetration. It also promotes healthy capillaries, which help oral tissue in staying healthy. An insufficient intake of these leads to swollen and bleeding gums.

Dental check-ups are a must every six months.