Oral Care Advice

There is a belief in some areas that good oral hygiene can offset the destructive effects of spit tobacco. That belief could not be farther from the truth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a government agency dealing with oral health, “there is no evidence that brushing and flossing will undo the harm that dip and chew are doing to your teeth and gums.”

Spit tobacco can be many different forms. It may be in powder form such as snuff. It could be “chew” tobacco in a leaf form, loose or twisted, dry or moist. But whatever the name, it is still tobacco.

The tobacco industry prefers to call it smokeless tobacco. The name gives lulls you into the feeling that this type of tobacco consumption is not as bad as cigarettes or other types of tobacco smoking materials. Do not be fooled. This type of tobacco can be devastating to not only your dental hygiene, but also your health in general.

Consider some of the things that spit tobacco can cause.

Cancer of the mouth tops the list as the most dangerous of the effects. It is no respecter of age. This self-induced disease attacks the young as well as the old.

The U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, M.D., in 1986 declared that “smokeless tobacco represents a significant health risk. It is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. It can cause cancer…”

Since those that chew or dip leave the tobacco in their mouth for extended periods of time, usually in the same place, this can cause the gums to pull away from the tooth in that area. When the gums pull away from the tooth, sensitive tooth roots are exposed providing an access to the root for any number of problems; sensitivity, decay and infection just to name a few.

Another of those problems is the side effect of the sugar contained in spit tobacco. The longer sugar remains in the mouth the more damage it will do. The extended periods that spit tobacco remains in the mouth provide a perfect opportunity for the sugars to work on the tooth root, causing massive tooth decay.

Many sports figures, as positive influences to youth, are speaking out against spit tobacco. Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins American League winner of the Gold Glove award, six years in a row has come out strong against spit tobacco. Olympic gold medal winners, Picabo Street (alpine skiing) and Dominique Dawes (gymnastics) have lent the weight of their names to the campaign against spit tobacco along with the mega-star Jackie Chan.

Spit tobacco does cause harm, sometimes deadly, to whoever may use it. No matter how much we brush or floss; the effects cannot be overcome unless the habit is stopped.

If you are currently using spit tobacco and want to quit, there are some excellent guidelines given by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Check out their website for a step-by-step guide: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/SpitTobacco/QuittingGuide

Follow the guidelines, quit or help someone quit and let me know so that I can celebrate with you. This is a dental problem that we have the power to end.

are like most people you probably get up every morning in a big rush to get to work or take the kids to school. How would you like to have a few extra minutes to spare every morning?

Here is a positive habit that will do just that.
 
Combine showers and baths with other personal hygiene activities to save time.

Here is how it works:

For Men:

Combine showering and shaving and you will save precious minutes of time every morning.

1. Buy a small shaving mirror and a plastic suction cup shelf. ( you can buy a bathroom shelf in any Bed and Bath store)

2. Place the suction cup shelf on your bathroom wall in your shower.

3. Put your disposable razor and small mirror in the plastic shelf.

4. Keep a can of shaving cream in the shower stall also. (On a window sill or the floor)

When you shower every morning make it a habit to shave while you are showering. Everything you need will be in the shower including razor,  mirror and shaving cream. You will find that combining these two activities will save you a few minutes every day and you will never go to work again with shaving cream on your tie!

For Women:

Combine dental hygiene with showering to save precious time and have healthier teeth. ( OK this habit can also save men time and give them healthier teeth too)

1. As discussed above set up a plastic suction cup shelf in your shower.

2. In the plastic shelf place a package of dental floss, a tooth brush and tooth paste.

3. Place a bottle of Listerine or other antiseptic mouthwash in your shower.

When you shower every morning, floss your teeth at the same time, and then brush your teeth after flossing. If you hold the mouthwash in your mouth as you floss you can combine flossing with your mouthwash gargling activity and save even more time. ( It is a bit tricky at first but you will find it quite easy after a few attempts. This combination may also increase the effectiveness of your flossing as the antiseptic mouthwash will now get into areas duringflossing that normal gargling may not have reached).

You will find that these simple positive habits will save you precious time every morning.

The contents of this email are not to be considered as medical advice. Always consult a physician before beginning or changing any exercise, fitnessor nutritional program.