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Most of us realize that diet and exercise play an important part in keeping us healthy, particularly in our senior years. But did you that your oral health is also an important part of your general health and well-being? Research suggests that there may be a link between the health of your mouth and the health of your body.

To keep your mouth healthy, practice good oral hygiene, eat a well-balanced diet, check your mouth for warning signs of gum disease, don't smoke or chew tobacco and most importantly, have your mouth examined regularly by your dentist.

All of us need regular dental checkups. Even if you have dental implants or wear dentures, your dentist needs to check them out. If you take medicine that makes your mouth dry, or cause your gums to swell, your dentist needs to take a closer look. During a checkup, your dentist not only look for cavities, he or she also looks for oral disease, infection, early signs of oral cancer, and signs of other problems that could affect your general health. Regular dental visits help to catch small problems before they become serious problems.

The dental checkup

A dental checkup is a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth by your dentist. Usually the checkup includes some or all of the following:

1. Medical history update

    

It is important to tell your dentist about your general health. Let your dentist know if you:

• Smoke

• Have any allergies.

• Wear a medical device like a pacemaker.

• Are taking any over-the-counter, prescription or herbal medications. If so, give your dentist a list of your medications and dosage information.

• Have changed medication since your last checkup.

• Are being treated for a health problem or a medical condition.

• Have any changes in your general health.

• Have had surgery.

1. Dental history update

    

During the checkup, tell your dentist about any problems or changes you have with your teeth, gums or mouth. Tell your dentist if:

• Your teeth are loose, have changed color or have moved.

• Your teeth or gums are more sensitive to heat, cold or sweets.

• Your gums have changed color, they are tender or bleed when you brush or floss.

• Floss catches on rough edges or your teeth.

• The inside of your cheek has changed color.

• You are clenching or grinding your teeth.

• You have fear or are nervous about visiting the dentist.

3. Dental examination and treatment

During the dental examination your dentist looks for gum disease, cavities, loose fillings, broken teeth, infection, early signs of oral cancer, and signs of other problems that could affect your general health. Many small problems can be caught and treated right away.

1. Consultation and advice

    

At this point, your dentist may discuss and concerns that he or she may have with your oral health and an appropriate treatment plan. This is also a good time for you to ask any questions.

1. Cleaning

    

A professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar and plaque buildup from teeth. If not removed, this buildup can eventually lead to gum disease.

The main steps in a cleaning are scaling and polishing. Scaling removes tartar and plaque buildup from teeth. Polishing smooths and cleans the surfaces of the teeth.

1. Maintenance

    

If you have a bridge, dentures, or implants, the checkup is a good opportunity to make sure they are fitting properly and are in good shape.

Regular visits to your dentist help to keep your mouth healthy. In between visits you need to practice a good oral health routine.

Caring for your teeth and gums

Brushing and flossing are the only way to remove plaque from your teeth. Plaque forms on your teeth every day and is the main cause of cavities and gum disease.

To clean your mouth, brush your teeth and tongue twice a day, and always before you go to bed. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth surface.

How to brush your teeth

Use a soft brush with rounded bristles. Choose a size and shape that will let you reach all the way to your back teeth. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months. If the bristles get bent or worn down, they will not do a good job, and may hurt your gums. Be sure to clean your hands before brushing.

1. Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste on your brush. Wet your brush before squeezing on the toothpaste.

2. Brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Start by placing the bristles at the base of the tooth where your gums and teeth meet. Using gentle brush strokes, move the brush to the top of the tooth. Do not scrub. Years of brushing too hard can make your gums recede (pull away from your teeth).

3. Clean every surface of every tooth. This means you must brush the cheek side, the tongue side and the biting surface of each tooth.

4. For the inside of the front teeth, use the “toe” or front part of the brush.

5. Brush your tongue.

6. Rinse your mouth with water.

A good brushing should take 2 to 3 minutes. If you're not sure that you are brushing properly, ask your dentist for advice.

Problems brushing?

If holding your toothbrush is difficult due to arthritis or some other health condition, ask your dentist to recommend one of the larger-handled toothbrushes, designed especially for persons with limited mobility in the hand, fingers and wrist. You can also try enlarging the handle of your toothbrush with a sponge, several layers of aluminum foil, or a bicycle handle grip. Many patients find a power-operated toothbrush is helpful. Discuss this option with your dentist.

How to floss

1. Be sure to clean your hands before flossing

2. Take a piece of floss about as long as your arm. Wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving a few inches between your hands.

3. Hold the floss tightly between you thumbs and index fingers.

4. Using your thumbs and index fingers, gently guide the floss between your teeth to the gum line. Wrap the floss into a “C” shape around the base of the tooth.

5.Wipe the tooth from top to bottom 2 or 3 times using a gentle rubbing motion. Be sure not to push too hard to get the floss between your teeth. This can snap the floss into the gums and hurt them.

6. Be sure to floss both side of each tooth. Don't forget the backs of the last molars.

7. Move to a new part of the floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

8. When you floss, bacteria from your mouth can spread to your hands, so be sure to wash your hands after flossing.

If you're not sure that you are flossing your teeth properly, ask your dentist for advice.

Problems flossing?

Gums sometimes bleed when you first begin to floss. This will most likely stop after a few days. If after a few days of flossing the bleeding does not stop, see your dentist.

Floss can shred if you snag it on an old filling or on the ragged edge of a tooth. If this continues to happen, try another type of floss or dental tape. Your dentist can recommend one. If the floss continues to shred, see your dentist.

If flossing feels awkward, try using a plastic floss holder. Your dentist can recommend one. Dental tape may also be easier to use, as it is wider and easier to grasp than floss.

Caring for your dentures

Complete and partial dentures need to be cleaned every day just like natural teeth. Otherwise, plaque and tartar can build up on your dentures causing stains, bad breath and gum problems. Plaque from your dentures can also spread to your natural teeth and gums, causing gum disease and cavities.

To clean your dentures, remove them from your mouth and run them under water to rinse off any loose food particles. Then wet a denture brush or a regular soft-bristle toothbrush and apply denture cleaner or a mild soap. Household cleaners and regular toothpaste are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures. Gently brush all surfaces of the dentures including under the clasps where bacteria collect. Be careful not to damage the plastic or bend the attachments. Rinse your dentures well in clean water before placing them back in your mouth.

While your dentures are removed, be sure to clean and massage your gums. If your toothbrush hurts your gums, run it under warm water to make it softer or try using a finger wrapped in a clean damp cloth. If you have partial dentures, brush your natural teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss.

Always remove your dentures overnight to give your mouth a chance to rest. Soak them in denture cleanser with lukewarm water or just warm water. If your dentures have metal clasps, only use warm water for soaking, as other soaking solutions could tarnish the metal. When you're not wearing your dentures, keep them in water to stop them from drying out or warping. Never use hot water for soaking.

Dentures can break if dropped or squeezed too tightly. When you are handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or a sink of water just in case you accidentally drop them.

Look for cracks in your dentures. If you find any, take them to your dentist or specialist for repair. See you dentist regularly and at least once a year. Your mouth is always changing so your dentures will need adjusting or relining from time to time to make sure they fit well. Poorly fitted dentures may cause denture sores that make oral cancer more difficult to spot. At your checkup, your dentist will also examine your gums for any signs of disease or oral cancer and any natural teeth you may have for signs of decay or infection.

Caring for your dental implants and bridges

Like natural teeth, implants and bridges need to be brushed and flossed every day. Your dentist will show you the proper cleaning procedure for your implant(s). If you have a bridge, your dentist will show you how to use a floss threader to floss under and around the artificial tooth (or teeth) in the middle of the bridge. Regular dental checkups are important so your dentist can make sure that your bite is right and that your bridge(s) and implant(s) are well maintained.

Gum disease

People who have complete or partial dentures can also get gum disease around any natural teeth that are left.

If you have gum disease:

• Your false teeth will not fir well over gums that are sore, swollen or bleeding.

• Your partial dentures (or removable dentures) will not be held firmly in place if your natural teeth and gums are not strong.

Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems adults face, yet it can begin at just about any age. It often develops slowly and without causing any pain. The warning signs of gum disease may include:

• A change in the color of your gums.

• Gums that are red around your teeth.

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.

• Gums that have receded.

• Shiny, puffy or sore gums.

• Bad breath that will not go away.

• Sensitive or loose teeth.

• Increasing space between your teeth.

• Dentures that don't fit properly.

At your regular checkup, your dentist can detect any early signs of gum disease and provide appropriate treatment. Treating gum disease will stop the disease from spreading and will control bacteria growth.

In the early stages of gum disease the best treatment is a professional cleaning to remove built-up plaque and tartar. If the disease is in its late stages, treatment will restore the gum and bone tissues that hold your teeth in place. Treatment may include scaling and root planing and/or medication with or without surgery. Your dentist will explain your treatment options to you.

Tips for caregivers

If you are looking after the health of someone else, there is a lot you can do to help when this person needs oral health care. Here are some procedures you should follow for the oral health care of others:

Natural teeth

• Always wash your hands before cleaning another person's teeth and gums.

• Stand behind the person to brush and floss their teeth. It may feel awkward at first, so go slowly. If the person does not want you help, respect their wishes and ask their dentist for advice in this case.

• Let the person sit in front of the sink. That way, you can make the same motions you use when you brush and floss your own teeth.

• Make sure you use a soft toothbrush. You may find an electric toothbrush is better when you brush someone else's teeth. Ask the person to tell you if you are brushing too hard.

• Have the person rinse with warm water when you are done.

Artificial teeth

• When caring for someone who wears dentures, let the person tell or show you how to take the dentures out. With complete dentures, put the upper set back first, then the lower set. To clean dentures, follow the steps described under Caring for your dentures.

• When caring for someone that has implants or a bridge, ask that person's dentist how to properly clean these types of artificial teeth.

Mouth tissues

• Ask if it is okay to look inside the person's mouth.

• Check the mouth closely. Look for swelling, red or white patches, parts of the gums that have changed color and sores that do not heal in a few days. If you see any of these things, call the person's dentist.

• Clean and massage the inside of the person's mouth with a damp cloth or a soft toothbrush.

Canadians of all ages can enjoy good oral health and benefit from regular dental visits. If you look after them, your teeth and gums will look good and stay healthy for life.