(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
THINK brushing teeth is just for show?
To make your teeth appear pearly white and your smile perfect?
Well, yes. But it goes beyond esthetics.
Think about this: according to our Department of Health’s Dental Health Program, oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the country.
The National Monitoring and Epidemiological Dental Survey (1998) estimated that about 92.4 percent of Filipinos have tooth decay (dental caries) and 78 percent have gum (periodontal) diseases.
That’s a lot: more than nine in 10 Filipinos with tooth decay and nearly eight in 10 with gum diseases.
The most common oral health problems in the Philippines is tooth decay, caused mainly by improper oral hygiene like not brushing the teeth at least twice a day.
Then there’s teeth discoloration caused by drinking and smoking that cause stains on the teeth exterior. Discoloration may also be caused by not brushing the teeth regularly to remove stains from food.
Another common problem is gum disease, usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build.
Teeth sensitivity is another issue commonly caused by teeth grinding, receding gums ,and improper way of brushing your teeth.
Brushing your teeth means brushing away bacteria that causes your breath to stink and your teeth to rot if nothing is done about them.
Millions of bacteria live in the oral cavity, on your gums and on your teeth. They thrive on sugar brought by sweet foods and drinks. The bacteria form a sticky film dentists call plaque which, in turn, creates acids.
The acids attack and break down the tooth enamel, the protective wrapping of teeth, creating a cavity or hole in the process.
That’s not all. Not brushing your teeth leads to gingivitis, a form of gum disease that causes red and swollen – and eventually even bleeding – gums.
Left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontitis. This occurs when plaque spreads below the gum line and irritates the gums. Chronic inflammation leads to bone and tissue loss. Empty pockets between the teeth and gums are infected and the pockets get deeper and deeper until more gum tissue and bone are lost. The worst case scenario is to lose your teeth.
Here’s the trick in avoiding all of the above: brush, floss and gargle.
If one just use the toothbrush, brushing alone may miss 75 percent of the teeth and surroundings. So floss to remove food debris left behind just by brushing. To be triple sure, gargle with an antiseptic mouth rinse to cleanse hard to reach areas and penetrate and break down plaque.
Then repeat brushing, flossing and gargling not once, not twice but three times a day.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
