Healthy Mouths for Young Adults

Tooth decay What it looks like What causes it How you can stop it from happening How to look after your own teeth How to look after your mouth Healthy Eating We’ll be looking at…

We use our teeth to Eat Smile Talk

Tooth decay … …is one of the most common diseases …it can be stopped

Tooth decay Healthy teeth If not treated leads to really bad decay Starts as whitish lines across the gum See a dental person now Becomes brown or yellow spots along the gum line Get URGENT dental treatment now

What can cause tooth decay? Eating and drinking lots of sugary snacks and drinks Not brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

Eat well Healthy meals – EVERYDAY FOODS

How Teeth Decay … There are millions of GOOD and BAD bacteria in our mouths The bad bacteria in plaque eats the sugar and changes it into acid The acid damages the enamel on the teeth Which then causes decay or holes in our teeth

Effect of sugar on the teeth AM PM (Acid levels in the mouth over 24 hours) Morning Acid Neutral Afternoon

Eating Pattern Bad for Teeth Morning Acid Neutral (Acid levels in the mouth over 24 hours) Afternoon AM PM 2

Healthy Snacks Bread Breadsticks Vegetables Fruit SandwichesCrackers

Snacks that should be kept to mealtimes Dried Fruit Biscuits Sweets & Chocolate Cakes

When it comes to thirst…drink tap water first! Only water at night Don’t have sugary drinks in-between meals Drink well

Don’t carry fizzy drinks around in sport bottles – only use water Sugary drinks can cause decay and wearing away of teeth

Drinks that damage your teeth

Clean well Brush teeth twice a day to stop decay and gum disease Use a small, medium toothbrush Use fluoride toothpaste > 1450 ppm (see on tube) Cleaning between teeth

With thanks to Pierre Fabre Oral Care for use of the pictures.

Gum Disease Can be caused by… the build up of plaque lack of brushing

Stages of Gum Disease Healthy Gums Healthy Bone Levels Pocket Reduced Bone Levels Gingivitis Used by permission American Academy of Periodontology

Change your brush every 3 months And don’t share

Flossing For getting in between the teeth where the tooth brush does not reach Reduces the chances of decay in between teeth and gum disease

Activity….

Make sure you wear a fitted mouthguard for contact sports If you hurt your mouth or teeth get advice straight away Play well

Stay well – stop smoking - benefits Savings – Approx £5 per day (if smoke 20 per day) Health – live on average 7 – 13 years more less likely to get cancer (Lung and mouth cancer) healthier life

Stay well - smoking

Piercings Infection Cysts Nerve damage Increase risk of hepatitis, HIV, tetanus Damage to teeth

Eating Disorders

Visit the Dentist Regularly

Think Carefully On the effects that:  Unhealthy Eating  Smoking  Excess Alcohol  Drugs  Piercing can have on your mouth

Guide to a Healthy Mouth Good brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste A good balanced diet Regular visits to the dentist The healthier your teeth are the happier you will be!