Dental Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a quarter of people over the age of 60 have lost all of their teeth. Advanced gum disease affects up to 15 percent of adults, and an estimated 31,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2006. But the CDC also says “almost all oral diseases can be prevented.” This guide provides resources to help adults and children care for their teeth and mouth.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Dental Health?
Dental health means strong teeth and healthy gums. Research suggests that beyond eating and ... read more »
Caring for Your Teeth
Advice for keeping your teeth and mouth healthy is pretty standard: brush your teeth after meals, floss each day, eat healthy foods and see a dentist twice a year. You can also prevent problems by wearing the proper head gear while playing sports.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Tobacco products contribute significantly to poor dental health, according to the American Dental Association. To learn more about how to quit smoking or using chewing tobacco, consult the findingDulcinea Quit Smoking Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
To learn how to care for your teeth …
The American Dental Association
explains how to brush and floss teeth, with pictures. Also get suggestions for healthy foods, such as yogurt and raw vegetables that are better for your teeth than breads, cookies and chips.
To teach kids how to care for their teeth …
KidsHealth
briefly takes kids through the history of dental care, including some of the concoctions, such as ground chalk, people used to clean their teeth before modern toothpaste was invented. Scroll down for tips kids can use for good dental health.
The American Dental Association
produced a series of 30-second animated public service announcements for kids. This one is about brushing and flossing. Listen to other announcements about losing baby teeth and eating healthy snacks. The announcements are available for a dial-up connection, or in Spanish. A game, "To Tell the Tooth," quizzes second and third graders on the importance of teeth and oral health.
To learn about oral health and sports …
Simple Steps To Better Dental Health
urges everyone, especially children, to wear the proper safety equipment when playing sports. It’s apparently not uncommon for kids to snag their front teeth on the net while dunking a basketball.
For those who dread going to the dentist …
Simple Steps To Better Dental Health
describes differences between being uneasy about a dentist’s visit and having a dental phobia. Don’t avoid care; talk to your dentist about your fears, according to this article.
The American Dental Association
has a short (less than a minute) video about the ways dentists are trying to make nervous patients more comfortable during treatments, including hand signals and sedation.
To prepare kids for the dentist …
The American Dental Association
has a short, interactive, online story to prepare children from preschool to second grade for a trip to the dentist. Kids follow Marty to the dentist and can click on tools around the office to hear what they sound like.
For clinical trials …
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health that lists clinical trials currently underway to research oral health. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your dentist, and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
Dental Problems
The mouth is at risk for all sorts of problems, such as a cavities, dry mouth or more serious ... read more »
Finding a Dentist
A major component to having good dental health is regular visits to the dentist. This section has ... read more »
Dental News and Research
New discoveries into why teeth decay occurs and how to prevent it are announced all the time. ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
