Oral HealthOral Healthand Youand You

Grades 9-12Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Oral Health Program

Your oralYour oralhealth canhealth canaffect youraffect youroveralloverallhealth.health.

Your teeth are important for:Your teeth are important for:

ChewingChewing

TalkingTalking

Appearance Appearance

But did you knowBut did you know

that problems in yourthat problems in your

mouth could createmouth could create

problems elsewhereproblems elsewhere

in your body?in your body?

Let’s examine the firstLet’s examine the first

thing you think of whenthing you think of when

“oral health” is mentioned:“oral health” is mentioned:

Tooth decay…Tooth decay…

Tooth decay is caused by:Tooth decay is caused by:

Bacteria found in plaqueBacteria found in plaque

Sugary foods and drinksSugary foods and drinks

Improper or neglected Improper or neglected tooth brushingtooth brushing

BacteriaBacteria in the PLAQUE in your mouth in the PLAQUE in your mouthturns food (sugar) on your teeth into ACID.turns food (sugar) on your teeth into ACID.

Missouri Show – Me Your Smile; 3rd Edition; 1993

To understand an acid attack on your teeth, we To understand an acid attack on your teeth, we need to first look at the tooth structure.need to first look at the tooth structure.

The The EnamelEnamel is… is…The outside layer.The outside layer.

- A hard protective covering.- A hard protective covering.

- The hardest substance in our body, - The hardest substance in our body, even harder than bone. even harder than bone.

The The PulpPulp is… is…The inside layer.The inside layer.

- The live part of the tooth.- The live part of the tooth.

- Has blood vessels and nerves.- Has blood vessels and nerves.

The The DentinDentin is… is…Underneath the enamel.Underneath the enamel.

- Makes up the largest part of a tooth.- Makes up the largest part of a tooth.

- Hard, but not as hard as enamel.- Hard, but not as hard as enamel.

Missouri Show – Me Your Smile; 3rd Edition; 1993

An acid attack:An acid attack:

Acid produced by the bacteria in our plaque Acid produced by the bacteria in our plaque

destroys the tooth’s enamel and, after destroys the tooth’s enamel and, after repeatedrepeated

attacks, creates a hole or “cavity.”attacks, creates a hole or “cavity.”

Missouri Show – Me Your Smile; 3rd Edition; 1993

Diet and NutritionDiet and NutritionYour diet includes Your diet includes allall the food you eat each day the food you eat each day

whether the food is healthy or not (junk food).whether the food is healthy or not (junk food).

Your diet needs toYour diet needs to

include a variety ofinclude a variety of

foods in order forfoods in order for

you to have goodyou to have good

nutrition and goodnutrition and good

oral health.oral health.

SnackingSnackingSnacks between meals are a great way to Snacks between meals are a great way to provide food you need daily for:provide food you need daily for:

GrowthGrowth

EnergyEnergy

LearningLearning

Healthy Bones,Healthy Bones,Skin and TeethSkin and Teeth

But, if you make poor choices, snacks can But, if you make poor choices, snacks can cause dental problems…cause dental problems…

Frequent soda drinking can cause toothFrequent soda drinking can cause toothdecay when sugar (and acid) combinedecay when sugar (and acid) combinewith bacteria in the mouth to form more acid.with bacteria in the mouth to form more acid.

Even diet, sugar-free sodas contain acidEven diet, sugar-free sodas contain acidwhich harms your teeth. which harms your teeth.

Each sip causes a 20-minute acidEach sip causes a 20-minute acidattack that may cause tooth decay.attack that may cause tooth decay.

Soda DrinkingSoda Drinking

Missouri Dental Association “Stop The Pop” (PDF)Missouri Dental Association “Stop The Pop” (PDF)

Results of Tooth Decay:Results of Tooth Decay:

Pain and infectionPain and infectionDifficulty in speakingDifficulty in speaking

and chewingand chewingDifficulty concentratingDifficulty concentrating

Loss of self-esteemLoss of self-esteem Lost school days Lost school days

Poor nutrition Poor nutrition Cost of careCost of care

Besides tooth decay, harmful habits or Besides tooth decay, harmful habits or activities can damage your teeth… activities can damage your teeth…

Keep Foreign Objects Out of the MouthKeep Foreign Objects Out of the Mouth

Don’t Use your teeth to: Don’t Use your teeth to:

Cut things Cut things

Hold onto pens/pencilsHold onto pens/pencils

Bite nailsBite nails

Crack nutsCrack nuts

Crunch iceCrunch ice

Open bottles or hairpinsOpen bottles or hairpins

SportsSports

Seek immediate treatment if a toothSeek immediate treatment if a toothis knocked out (within 30 minutes).is knocked out (within 30 minutes).

- Do - Do NOTNOT clean the tooth. clean the tooth.

- Do - Do NOT NOT touch the wound site.touch the wound site.

- Keep the tooth - Keep the tooth WETWET..

(Put it in a glass of cool water, milk or a(Put it in a glass of cool water, milk or awet cloth).wet cloth).

Always wear a mouthAlways wear a mouthguard for physicalguard for physicalcontact sportscontact sports

SmokingSmoking

All Tobacco Products areAll Tobacco Products are

HarmfulHarmful

http://drwendellpurling.onsmartpages.comhttp://drwendellpurling.onsmartpages.com

Smoking CausesSmoking CausesStained teethStained teeth

Plaque build-upPlaque build-upBad breathBad breath

Mouth sores Mouth sores Gum diseaseGum diseaseTooth lossTooth loss

Greater chanceGreater chancefor oral for oral cancercancer

SmokelessSmokeless Tobacco Tobacco Causes:Causes: Tooth abrasionTooth abrasion

Gum recessionGum recessionIncreased tooth decay Increased tooth decay

Tooth discolorationTooth discolorationBad breathBad breathAddictionAddiction

Oral Oral cancercancerwww.umanitoba.

ca

Oral/perioral PiercingOral/perioral Piercing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_piercinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_piercing

Oral/perioral piercings can cause:Oral/perioral piercings can cause:

Chipped or cracked teethChipped or cracked teeth

Infection of theInfection of thepierced site as wellpierced site as wellas an infection in theas an infection in thebloodstreambloodstream

Abscesses or cystsAbscesses or cysts

Nerve damageNerve damage

An allergic reactionto “cheap” metal

Increased risk forHepatitis, Tetanus, HIV

““The Perils of Oral Piercing”; RDH, March The Perils of Oral Piercing”; RDH, March 20062006

www.mcgrathdental.com

Eating DisordersEating Disorders(Bulimia & Anorexia)(Bulimia & Anorexia)

What you perceive as “looking good” actually causes…What you perceive as “looking good” actually causes…

Effects of “purging” or (vomit) on the inside of the teeth.

• Self-destructionSelf-destruction

• DepressionDepression

• WithdrawalWithdrawal

• MalnutritionMalnutrition

• Health/Dental problemsHealth/Dental problems

• DeathDeathwww.mappsd.org

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

If you’re using this…If you’re using this…

““meth mouth”meth mouth”

It won’t be long beforeIt won’t be long beforeyour teeth look like this…your teeth look like this…

““meth”meth”

www.mappsd.org

Now let’s Now let’s examine some examine some other things other things you may not you may not know….know….

The #1 cause of tooth loss in adults is The #1 cause of tooth loss in adults is notnot tooth decay, but…. tooth decay, but….

Gum DiseaseGum Disease

American Academy of Periodontology; “Facts and Fallacies About Periodontal DiseaseAmerican Academy of Periodontology; “Facts and Fallacies About Periodontal Disease

What is gum disease? What is gum disease?

A bacterial A bacterial infectioninfection in the mouth caused by in the mouth caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeththe accumulation of plaque on the teeth

www.doctorfernandofuentes.cl/

GingivitisGingivitisGingivitis is a mild formof gum disease, and the most common.

It is reversible and involves only the gum tissues around the teeth.

Signs: Bleeding when brushing or flossing, puffy, red tissues between the teeth, and pain or tenderness.

www.doctorfernandofuentes.cl

PeriodontitisPeriodontitisPeriodontitis is the more Periodontitis is the more destructive form of gum disease. destructive form of gum disease. It is It is notnot reversible and involves reversible and involves permanentpermanent loss of the gums and loss of the gums and underlying bone eventually underlying bone eventually leading to leading to toothtooth loss.loss.

Signs:Signs: Chronic bad breath, Chronic bad breath, receding gums, and teeth that are receding gums, and teeth that are loose (bleeding may or may not loose (bleeding may or may not occur).occur).

www.altcorp.com

Recently scientists have found a possible Recently scientists have found a possible link between Gum Disease and certain link between Gum Disease and certain conditions like:conditions like:

DiabetesDiabetes

Heart DiseaseHeart Disease

Pre-term, low birth weight babiesPre-term, low birth weight babies

Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.1Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.1

Why should you be Why should you be concerned?concerned?

DiabetesDiabetesDiabetes is on the rise in Diabetes is on the rise in childrenchildren and and youngyoung adultsadults due to poor due to poor nutrition, lack of exercise and nutrition, lack of exercise and obesity.obesity.

If you have diabetes, If you have diabetes, gumgum diseasedisease may affect your ability to control may affect your ability to control your blood sugar.your blood sugar.

American Dental Association; “Diabetes, A Growing Epidemic of All Ages”American Dental Association; “Diabetes, A Growing Epidemic of All Ages”

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications…

Heart Disease Heart Disease TThe #1 cause of death in the U.S.he #1 cause of death in the U.S.

Evidence suggests that the bacteria Evidence suggests that the bacteria found in your mouth from found in your mouth from gumgum diseasedisease may have an effect on blood may have an effect on blood vessel walls, causing inflammation vessel walls, causing inflammation and blockage of blood flow to the and blockage of blood flow to the heart and brain.heart and brain.

““The Significance of Periodontal Infection In Cardiology”; Grand Rounds in Oral –Systemic MedicineThe Significance of Periodontal Infection In Cardiology”; Grand Rounds in Oral –Systemic Medicine

This could result in a heartattack or stroke…

PregnancyPregnancy

If you are pregnant, you are If you are pregnant, you are more prone to develop gum more prone to develop gum disease.disease.

GumGum diseasedisease may trigger a may trigger a “pre-mature” birth.“pre-mature” birth.

Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.1Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.1

Premature babies can have lifelong problems…

As a young adult, what you do As a young adult, what you do nownow can can prevent many problems from occurring prevent many problems from occurring later on….later on….

By investing only six minutes each day, both tooth decay By investing only six minutes each day, both tooth decay

and gum disease can be prevented by you…and gum disease can be prevented by you…

… …That’s two minutes twice each day spent on brushing andThat’s two minutes twice each day spent on brushing and two minutes once a day for flossing. two minutes once a day for flossing.

Proper BrushingProper BrushingTilt the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline.

Brushing only 2-3 teeth at a time, gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of all your teeth.

Use short back-and-forth or circular strokes.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath!

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program

Proper FlossingProper Flossing

Now, gently follow the curves of your Now, gently follow the curves of your teeth, sliding the floss up and down the teeth, sliding the floss up and down the tooth’s surface a few times. Be sure to go tooth’s surface a few times. Be sure to go belowbelow the gumline. the gumline.

Using your middle fingers, wrap about 18” Using your middle fingers, wrap about 18” of floss around them (but not too tightly). of floss around them (but not too tightly).

Leave about an inch or two of floss Leave about an inch or two of floss between your hands.between your hands.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program

Your teeth were meant to last you Your teeth were meant to last you a lifetime…a lifetime…

So nowSo nowit’s up to you!it’s up to you!

Personal ChoicesPersonal ChoicesChoose healthy snacks and eat Choose healthy snacks and eat fewerfewer foods that are high in sugar. foods that are high in sugar.

Limit soda drinking and rinse Limit soda drinking and rinse your mouth afterward.your mouth afterward.

If you are thinking about smoking – If you are thinking about smoking – don’t start. And if you smoke – don’t start. And if you smoke – quitquit before the damage is before the damage is permanent.permanent.

If you are thinking about oral piercing –forget about it. If you are thinking about oral piercing –forget about it. You may end up with some You may end up with some seriousserious and painful and painful problems.problems.

If you’re hiding an eating disorder…If you’re hiding an eating disorder…

Talk to your school nurse for confidential Talk to your school nurse for confidential nutritional counselingnutritional counseling

Get out and get active - have some funGet out and get active - have some fun

Enjoy life with your family and friendsEnjoy life with your family and friends

……Quit taking risksQuit taking risks

news.bbc.co.uk www.fade.org.nz

www.fade.org.nzwww.fade.org.nzwww.mappsd.orgwww.mappsd.org

If you already…If you already…- Have your tongue/mouth pierced- Have your tongue/mouth pierced

- Have diabetes - Have diabetes

- Know you are pregnant- Know you are pregnant

……Care of your mouth, teeth and gums is Care of your mouth, teeth and gums is extra importantextra important..

Your oral health contributes to your Your oral health contributes to your overall healthoverall health

And by practicing good And by practicing good

oral hygiene habits you oral hygiene habits you

can help prevent tooth can help prevent tooth

decay, gum disease and decay, gum disease and

possibly some serious possibly some serious

health issues….health issues….

Brush and Floss Daily for Brush and Floss Daily for Good Oral Health!Good Oral Health!

Additional Resources:Additional Resources:1) Missouri Dental Association “Stop The Pop” presentation (PDF) www.modental.org1) Missouri Dental Association “Stop The Pop” presentation (PDF) www.modental.org2) Frances D. Wolfe, “The Perils of Oral Piercing”; RDH, March 20062) Frances D. Wolfe, “The Perils of Oral Piercing”; RDH, March 20063) American Academy of Periodontology; “Facts and Fallacies About Periodontal Disease”, 3) American Academy of Periodontology; “Facts and Fallacies About Periodontal Disease”,

www.perio.orgwww.perio.org4) David Paquette, DMD,MPH,DMSc et. al, “Oral Inflammation, CVD, and Systemic Disease”; 4) David Paquette, DMD,MPH,DMSc et. al, “Oral Inflammation, CVD, and Systemic Disease”;

Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.1Connections: Oral & Systemic Health Review; July 2005, Vol.1 No.15) American Dental Association; “Diabetes, A Growing Epidemic of All Ages”, JADA, Vol. 134, 5) American Dental Association; “Diabetes, A Growing Epidemic of All Ages”, JADA, Vol. 134,

Oct. 2003Oct. 20036) American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org 6) American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org 7) Stanley Shanies, MD,MPH, FACP and Casey Hein, BSDH, MBA, “The Significance of 7) Stanley Shanies, MD,MPH, FACP and Casey Hein, BSDH, MBA, “The Significance of

Periodontal Infection In Cardiology”; Grand Rounds in Oral –Systemic Medicine. February Periodontal Infection In Cardiology”; Grand Rounds in Oral –Systemic Medicine. February 2006, Vol. 1, No. 1. 2006, Vol. 1, No. 1.

8) Photos: Microsoft product box shots reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation. 8) Photos: Microsoft product box shots reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation. All All photos obtained from office.microsoft.com/clipart unless otherwise noted.photos obtained from office.microsoft.com/clipart unless otherwise noted.