Poor oral health affects billions in the world

Dental cavities and periodontal (gum) disease are the two most common oral disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Gum diseases include gingivitis, periodontitis (gum inflammation), and (where pockets full of pus between the teeth and gums) that affects many adults. Dental cavities, however, affects 60-90 percent of students around the world.

"The burden of disease in many areas can only be estimated: about one third of the populations of developing countries in or close to 1.3 billion people will require oral / dental pain relief (including tooth extraction) three times during their lives, most of the remaining two thirds, about 2.4 billion people, will need five or more extractions, "according to WHO.

Tooth decay begins when bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates you eat into acid. All these form plaque, a sticky deposit that sticks to your teeth. Over time, plaque destroys the outer surface of the tooth enamel and cavities are formed.

"Tooth decay takes time to develop, after a year or two permanent teeth, but not in primary teeth. Initial formation of acid occurs within the first 20 minutes after you eat," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book."

To reverse this trend and preserve your teeth, what should you do? How you can save your teeth and avoid joining the ranks of many people without teeth? Follow these easy steps and en ¬ courage your children to do the same:

Brush your teeth at least twice daily (morning and evening) or after every meal or snack. Use dental floss before brushing, preferably at night, to clean the areas your toothbrush can not reach.

Child's gums cleaned twice daily with a cotton cloth. Once his primary teeth erupt, clean it with a soft cotton cloth until he or she is ready to brush.

Visit your dentist at least twice annually or more frequently if you have dental problems. A child should start to see a dentist at the age of two years to three years.

Use a fluoride toothpaste when brushing. You can also get fluoride from supplements, mouth rinses, apples, eggs, seafood and tea.

Eating a well balanced diet, especially foods rich in calcium and phosphorus, to make your teeth strong. The calcium found in milk, cheese, sardines and salmon. You can get phosphorus from lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried peas and beans.

Avoid chewy foods, hard candy, chewing gum, candy, dried fruits and other sweets that stick to teeth. We need to promote tooth decay of soft drinks, juices, ice cream and other foods that have been deleted from the mouth quickly. If you can not control your appetite, then brush or rinse your mouth with water.

Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. This can damage their teeth. Fill the bottle with water, instead.

Research shows that some foods may counteract the effect of sugar on teeth when taken with carbohydrates. Eating foods coarse ingredients such as carrots, celery, lettuce, cheese and nuts. They increase the production of saliva which fights tooth decay.

Do not suck your thumb for that can interface with the normal growth of teeth .......