Dental Health

What can I do about it?  LOTS! 
Follow these 3 simple steps for a healthy mouth:

According to the New York State Department of Health’s Impact of Oral Health in New York State, Oral health and general health are important to each other.  Many diseases and conditions, including diabetes, HIV, and nutritional deficiencies, have oral signs and symptoms.  These symptoms may be the initial sign of clinical disease and therefore may serve to inform health care providers and individuals of the need for further assessment.  The oral cavity is a portal of entry as well as the site of disease for bacterial and viral infections that affect general health statu

Tips for Everyone:

• Limit sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes and in limited amounts. A food made with a sugar or starch is better for teeth if it’s eaten as part of a mean and not as a snack.
• Bacteria combine with sugars and starches to form an acid that attacks the teeth for at least twenty minutes after each bite of food.  Therefore, limit between-meal snacking.
• Eat Healthy Snacks (see suggestions)*
• Avoid eating just before bedtime.

Dental Caries – a term for cavities or tooth decay. 

Plaque – a sticky, colorless film of harmful bacteria, mucus, and other particles that constantly forms in the mouth. When plaque comes in contact with sugary and starchy foods, acids form which attack the teeth that can eat away the enamel on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed daily by brushing and flossing can lead to dental caries or periodontal disease.