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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Healthy Living > Part 51 - Protect Your Teeth

Part 51 - Protect Your Teeth

Struggling to think of a topic for the Easter period, I poured another coffee and reached for another bit of chocolate egg. Who am I kidding, I opened another chocolate egg and that gave me an idea. Yes, second only to Christmas, Easter is a heavily chocolated time of year and this can take its toll on the body. I have already covered numerous aspects of diet, most notably the important question of how much is too much, but let us turn our attention to an often neglected part of the body ‐ the teeth. We all know that we must clean our teeth twice a day, avoid excessive amounts of sugar and opt for calcium‐rich foods. But there’s more to think about if you want to protect your teeth, especially if you plan to travel for a long period of time. So here’s a little more insight into good oral hygiene ‐ on the road.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

First up ‐ what causes tooth decay? Well sugar plays a large role here. The mouth permanently contains bacteria because it’s essential to the beginning of the digestion process. When we consume simple sugars, these bacteria initiate a reaction which produces acid. However when this is left in the mouth, it erodes tooth enamel and allows some bacteria to attack the teeth. Avoiding extensive exposure to these acids therefore reduces the risk of tooth decay.

When Are Sugary Snacks OK?

You can come at this in a number of ways. Firstly avoid sugary snacks and restrict sweeter substances to main mealtimes. A sweet dessert is far more tooth‐friendly than an afternoon with a packet of sweets to nibble on. Secondly sugar‐free chewing gum helps to regulate the acidity in the mouth and chewing this for 10 minutes after eating also protects the tooth enamel.

Good and Bad Brushing

As for actually brushing the teeth, the rule of thumb is to stick to the classic twice‐a‐day routine, in order that the brushing action doesn’t have a detrimental effect on the strength of the teeth and your gums. Use small circular actions, avoid pressing down too hard on the teeth and move away from the gums. Bleeding is usually a sign of overly vigorous brushing and it can also lead to problems such as Gingivitis. Yuck! Lastly opt for a Fluoride toothpaste as this helps strengthen the teeth against all of the threats mentioned above.

Flossing

What about after brushing? Floss, of course! If not done properly, flossing can be useless and even detrimental to oral hygiene. Always hold dental floss tightly, curve it around the teeth, use a sideways action and move away from the gum. Working methodically around the mouth and including the backs of the rear teeth, you will reach the remaining 40% of surface enamel left untouched by a toothbrush. Once or twice a day is ideal.

Mouthwash ‐ Friend or Foe?

You may be asking ‐ what about mouthwash? Well the jury’s still out on that one. The anti‐bacterial properties certainly seem to be a good idea, but many of the bacteria in the mouth are essential in other processes. A link has however been made between alcohol based mouthwashes and an increased risk of mouth cancer. So there’s something to avoid.

Before You Leave Home

One final note to all of you travellers ‐ tooth decay is a relatively slow process. Dentists advise check‐ups every six months and so should you be travelling for a comparable period, I strongly advise a visit before you leave ‐ with sufficient time factored in for any treatments you may need. You might also want to opt for a tooth cleaning before you leave and do ask your dentist for advice about particular products and treatments. Oral hygiene is one area in which prevention can really be the best cure of all, so on that note, I’ll leave you with a big smile.

‐ David Haw