The mouth: the gateway to our overall health
Although my practice has been oriented towards implantology and dental surgery for the past 15 years, I am very interested in functional dentistry, the oral microbiome and its impact on overall health. Newly settled in St-Bruno, my team will be pleased to welcome you in order to ensure an impeccable dental health in a warm and pleasant environment.
Did you know that humans swallow about 100 billion bacteria per day and our mouths contain 20 billion bacteria that reproduce every 5 hours!
Imagine forgetting to brush or floss your teeth for 48 hours....the number of bacteria ingested would be exponential. Many of these bacteria are linked to various serious systemic diseases that could be prevented by taking better care of your oral health. In fact, scientific literature published over the last 15 years shows a strong link between poor dental health and diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, premature births, pre-eclampsia, dementia, lung disease and cancer.
In the United States, 1 out of 2 adults suffers from gum disease but only 3% consult their dentist about it. Gum disease is also a predisposing factor and correlates with heart disease, as bacteria in the mouth can travel to the heart and damage it. Some patients even need to visit the dentist more regularly because of their genetic predisposition to gum disease. Indeed, the bacteria found in gum disease can penetrate the bloodstream and cause inflammatory processes at various levels.
Daily brushing removes about 65% of plaque, which is why it is very important to floss to mechanically remove the remaining 35% of plaque in your mouth. Can't floss? No problem, the Waterpik (a device with a pulsating water jet) is a tool that can greatly help you dislodge the particles lodged between the teeth. Using a tongue scraper can also eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath.
Useful daily oral hygiene tips to improve your health
Daily brushing 2x a day and washing your toothbrush (warm water and soap)
Use a tongue scraper 1x a day or brush your tongue
Dental floss 1x per day
Visit the dentist 1 x per year and 2 hygiene appointments per year
Rinse your mouth with an oil or alcohol-free mouthwash or water in the morning and during the day to eliminate as many bacteria as possible from your mouth
Drink lots of water!
Eliminate potential infection sites and cavities in the mouth with dental treatments
Have biocompatible restorations in good condition
Replace missing teeth to promote proper digestion and chewing
Avoid frequent snacking and less processed food
Eating fiber cleans teeth
Consume polyphenols (red grapes, berries, cranberries, red wine, coffee, black and green tea) and vitamin D and C supplements for gum and bone health