The Good For You Fight

Author

Delta Dental Idaho

Posted on

Oct 12, 2022

Book/Edition

Idaho - Boise and the Treasure Valley

A healthy smile is more than a way to dazzle those you

flash it at; in fact, your oral health affects your overall health. Your mouth

plays a crucial role for everything you do, so it’s important to keep your oral

health in tip top shape. But sometimes that can be difficult.

 

Brushing

and flossing are necessary because they’re the first line of defense that you

manage at home. If you have difficulty gripping your toothbrush though, don’t

give up! Try a larger handle for your toothbrush by adding a flexible bicycle

handlebar grip or cut a slot in a tennis ball to fit the handle of your

toothbrush into.  The key is to brush

regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes each time. And don’t forget to

floss!

 

Some

medications can lead to dry mouth, a condition that puts you at risk for

cavities due to the lack of saliva necessary to wash away food and bacteria. To

fight dry mouth, drink lots of water throughout the day and avoid alcoholic,

caffeinated, and sugary drinks. Chew sugarless gum or mints to increase saliva

flow. If this doesn’t help, talk to your dentist or physician about saliva substitutes.

 

Health

conditions, such as diabetes and vitamin imbalances, among others, show

symptoms in the mouth. Likewise, diseases of the mouth—mostly gum disease—may

be linked to pneumonia, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, among others. A

dentist can tell a lot about your overall health by how your mouth looks.

That’s why it’s important to continue to visit your dentist at least twice per

year. If you need help getting dental care, Delta Dental of Idaho has a dental

benefits program called GrinWell for You, for income-qualifying seniors.

Call 1-888-894-3563 to learn more.

 

As

we age our oral health is as important as ever. Retirement might mean taking a

break from your job, but your teeth never get a rest from theirs. See your

dentist at least twice each year and protect your smile and yourself with good

oral health.

 

 

Editor’s

Note: This article was submitted by Heather A. Brown RDH, MPH.

















































Heather is

the director of oral health and community outreach at Delta Dental of Idaho.

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