2024-04-13 07:26:56
Oman- During Eid times, there is a lot of consumption of sweets, coffee, etc., which affects the health of the teeth and mouth, especially if consumed excessively. What are the most important tips that must be followed to reduce the effect of this and the damage to the teeth?
The specialist in dental surgery and plastic surgery, Dr. Muhammad Nour Jaafar, in statements to Al Jazeera Net, points out that it is among the customs and traditions of Arab societies to visit family, relatives, and friends during the holidays, and these visits are usually interspersed with the frequent offering of sweets, which affects the health of the mouth and teeth.
Sweets and teeth
Dr. Muhammad Nour explains that Streptococcus bacteria, which cause tooth decay, are found naturally on all surfaces of the teeth, and are concentrated in narrow cracks, small pits, and between the edges, due to the difficulty of cleaning them and the brush not reaching these narrow places. These bacteria need sugars to activate and secrete enzymes that decompose the surface. Age.
When eating sweets only once, even if the amount of sugar in them is large, this activates these bacteria for a short period of time, but when eating them several times at intermittent intervals, even if in small quantities, it provides these bacteria with the sugars necessary to secrete enzymes that It decomposes and dissolves the surface of the enamel, leading to tooth decay.
Therefore, Dr. Muhammad recommends taking into account the following tips when eating sweets:
- Make sure to brush your teeth following half an hour.
- Clean between the teeth with floss, as it is difficult for the brush to reach that area.
- The interval between one meal and another should be at least 3 hours, so that the mouth regains its alkalinity, as bacteria are active in acidic environments.
- Use a soft, or very soft, brush to make it easier for the bristles to reach tight areas.
- Chewing gum that contains the sugar xylitol.
Dr. Muhammad Nour: The interval between one meal and another should be at least 3 hours, until the mouth regains its alkalinity (Al Jazeera)
Coffee, tea, and teeth
Coffee and tea are drinks that have a direct and indirect effect on the teeth, according to Dr. Muhammad Nour. Its direct effect appears when you drink it repeatedly daily, as it sticks to the surface of the tooth, which is made up of tiny tubes. These tubes absorb the dyes found in coffee and tea into the tooth structure, which leads to tooth staining and the difficulty of removing these stains later.
As for the indirect effect, it occurs when the caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system, which leads to a tightening of the jaw joint muscles and increased pressure on the teeth, which leads to erosion of the surface of the teeth with a phenomenon known as bruxism.
Dr. Muhammad Nour advises wiping the surface of the teeth following finishing drinking these drinks, so that the dyes are not absorbed from their surface. He also advises avoiding drinking stimulants in the evening, especially at least two hours before bedtime.
Tea and coffee have a direct and indirect effect on the teeth (Deutsche Welle)
Smoking and gum and tooth health
Dr. Muhammad points out that smoking slows blood circulation and blood flow in the surface tissues and capillaries, thus depriving these tissues of the food and oxygen necessary for their renewal, which leads to inflammation and weakness in the tissues supporting the teeth and receding gums.
He continued that this phenomenon is one of the most prominent problems of smoking due to the difficulty of treating it, and its danger lies in the fact that it falls within the category of silent diseases, as it is not discovered until following consulting a dentist, and often in the late stages.
He called on everyone to stay away from all forms of smoking, and to visit the dentist regularly for a maximum period of 6 months, so that he can examine and diagnose gum diseases, if any.
Sweets and children’s teeth
Oral and dental surgery specialist Dr. Moin Haddad confirms – in statements to Al Jazeera Net – that children’s sweets, especially those that stick to the teeth, can have tangible negative effects on the health of the mouth and teeth, for several reasons:
- An ideal environment for bacteria: Sticky sweets that stick to the teeth and remain stuck for long periods provide an ideal environment for the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
- Promoting the growth of bacteria: The sugar found in sweets is a food source for mouth bacteria that feed on it and produce acids that attack enamel, leading to cavities.
- Enamel erosion: Continuous exposure to acids leads to the erosion of tooth enamel (the tooth’s outer protective layer), making it more susceptible to tooth decay and sensitivity.
- Increased risk of cavities: This is not just an aesthetic problem, but cavities can lead to serious complications such as: pain and infection, and may lead to tooth loss if it is not treated appropriately.
- Negative effects on the body’s general health: cavities and gum disease can increase the risk of other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Dr. Moin Haddad: Candy that sticks to the teeth has tangible negative effects on oral and dental health (Al Jazeera)
Children’s dental care
Dr. Haddad points out some steps that help protect children’s teeth from decay, which are:
- Regular cleaning twice a day: with a soft brush and a small amount of toothpaste containing fluoride, the size of a grain of rice for children under three years old, and the size of a pea for children over three years old.
- Check fluoride intake: by checking the level of fluoride in local drinking water, and consulting a dentist to ensure that the child needs fluoride supplements.
- Reducing sugar intake: This helps to reduce the number of times the child consumes sugary foods and drinks, as well as reducing their quantities.
- Regular visits to the dentist: starting from the first year of the child’s life, or when his first tooth appears.
- Use medical floss: to clean between the child’s teeth daily, as soon as the teeth are close enough to touch.
- Inculcating healthy habits: by teaching the child the importance of taking care of the teeth and gums, and accustoming him to healthy daily habits and a beneficial diet.
- Protecting teeth during sports: If a child is participating in a sport, he should consider using a mouthguard to protect his teeth from injury.
It is important to give the child healthy habits and teach him the importance of taking care of the teeth and gums (German)
Also, children’s excessive movement and spending most of their time playing may damage their teeth, so Dr. Haddad offers some tips to keep children’s teeth safe from being extracted while playing, the most important of which are:
- Monitor children closely, especially during rough play, or games in which they may fall or collide.
- Remove hazards from the play area, such as hard furniture, hard objects, or harmful corners.
- Teach children how to play safely, and avoid toys that may lead to injury.
- Avoid giving children hard or sticky foods that may cause broken teeth.
- Encourage children to drink water regularly, to maintain mouth moisture and prevent tooth decay.
- Visit your dentist regularly for regular checkups.
The child’s teeth should be cleaned as soon as the baby teeth emerge (German).
Dealing with a child’s tooth falling out
But, how should we act if we are surprised by the loss of a child’s tooth? Dr. Haddad guides us to the following steps:
- Find the tooth and keep it in a cup of milk or cold water.
- Try to return the tooth to its place in the mouth if possible, by gently pressing it until it stays in place.
- If the tooth is not put back in its place, the child should be taken to the dentist as soon as possible.
- You should avoid putting the tooth in hot water. Or in the mouth, because that may damage it.
- You should avoid pressing the tooth forcefully, as this may lead to damage to its root.
- Keep calm and reassure the child that everything will be okay.
- If the tooth is broken or cracked, it is important to take the child to the dentist as soon as possible.
- Monitor the tooth that has fallen out, to make sure it is growing properly.
Doctors recommend avoiding hard or sticky foods that may cause damage to your braces (German)
Orthodontics during Eid
Dr. Haddad advises those who had braces during Eid to do the following:
- Maintain oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Use floss once a day to remove food debris and plaque from between the teeth.
- Use mouthwash once daily, as instructed by your dentist.
- Eat in moderation, and avoid tough or sticky foods that may damage your braces.
- Chew food slowly using your back teeth.
- Avoid biting nails or gum, as this may cause damage to the braces.
- Wear a mouthguard while playing violent sports or games.
- Keep an appointment to visit the dentist, for regular examinations and orthodontic adjustments.
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