Tips on Tooth Health

According to Dr. Robert McNurlen, a West Des Moines dentist, your mother was right about how to take care of your teeth. "All the old rules still apply," McNurlen said. "Have good oral hygiene (i.e. brush and floss your teeth), get regular check-ups and limit sugar intake." And remember, he said, "Your teeth can still decay no matter how old you are." McNurlen also highlighted a few things Mama might not have told you.

Medications can affect your teeth. Many of them lead to dry mouth (a dearth of saliva), which in turn leads to plaque buildup. And plaque, wherever it lurks, is bad thing. In the mouth it can lead to decay. McNurlen recommends staying consistently hydrated and consulting your prescribing doctor about alternative meds.

Decay is bad, but gum disease is more likely to get you if you are over 35. Risk factors include genetics, diabetes and smoking. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is usually painless until it has progressed significantly and you begin to lose teeth to it. McNurlen compares a bad case of periodontal disease to a fence post with no dirt around it to hold it in the ground. Teeth = fence post; gum and bone = dirt.

Chewing is good. Chewing with your own pearly whites is even better. Because of modern dentistry, we are all more likely than previous generations to die with the same choppers we were born with. This is a good thing. While the paying the bill can seem painful, dental care is money well-spent. "Consider your teeth as an investment in maintaining chewing function," McNurlen said