Dr. Jopling's 10 health tips

 

Dr. Jopling’s Top 10 Things to do for Optimal Oral Health.

1.  Brush two to three times a day.  Use a soft toothbrush and any ADA approved toothpaste.  Be sure to brush following any sticky, sugary foods.  Within 5 minutes following consumption of sugar, Acid is formed from the sugar by the bacteria in your mouth. This Acid is what causes decay.

2.  Floss once a day.  Brushing will only reach 60% of the tooth surface.  The areas between the teeth cannot be cleaned with toothbrushing; therefore, flossing is necessary to clean the plaque, food and bacteria.   Patient neglect of the areas between the teeth is the leading cause of gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.

3.  Have Sealants placed on all posterior teeth (Molars and Premolars). This will prevent bacteria from getting into the deep grooves and crevices where it is impossible to clean.  {This is especially important in children between the ages of 6 – 14.}

4.  Be certain your drinking water contains a sufficient amount of Fluoride.  If you and your family drink bottled water, contact the manufacturer for data on its fluoride content.  The municipal water supplies in the Metroplex are all optimally fluoridated at approximately 0.76 parts per million.  If you drink well water or bottled water which is below this standard, you should take fluoride supplements or switch to an optimally adjusted bottled water or drink the municipal water if it is available to you. Fluoride is not only important to the healthy development of your children’s teeth, it is important at all ages because it is secreted into the mouth by saliva where it kills bacteria and remineralizes new areas of decay.

5.  See the Dentist at least twice a year for professional examination and cleanings.  Problems can be detected when they are small, simple and inexpensive to correct.

6.  Have Professional Fluoride treatments at your preventive cleaning appointments.  This is the best opportunity to replenish highly concentrated fluoride ions into the outer surfaces of the teeth.

7.  Wear a properly fitting mouthguard when participating in activities which could result in injury.   Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, snow skiing are just a few to mention.  Most people do not realize the danger of many recreational sports until an unfortunate accident occurs. It is so sad to see a beautiful smile permanently damaged from a sports related accident which could have been so easily prevented.  Just as a football player would never go out onto the field without his helmet, you should also consider a Mouthguard an essential and vital piece of your equipment.

8.  Eat a well balanced diet.  Foods high in Vitamins A, B and C are healthy for the gums while foods rich in Vitamin D and Calcium are beneficial to the developing teeth and the bone that supports the teeth.

  9. Smile!!!.

10. Smile even more!!!  Your smile is one of your greatest assets.  It is amazing how something so simple can bring such happiness to yourself and others. We Love To See You Smile!!!!!

 

Dr. Jopling's Top Ten List of Things to avoid  for Optimal Oral Health

1.      Don’t chew on Ice, Hard Candy or Unpopped Kernels of Popcorn.  These are the leading cause of tooth fracture. These bad habits are fairly common, and I want to do my best to alert you to the fact that they can result in costly root canal therapy and crown procedures.  Eventually your tooth will be the first thing to break when chewing on the items.

2.      Avoid Soft Drinks Containing Sugar.  If you do drink soft drinks brush or rinse with water afterward.  By all means, do not sip on a soft drink over a long period of time.  This provides a constant source of sugar and acid in your mouth.  Sugar free “Diet” sodas still contain high amounts of phosphoric acid, and this can still etch the enamel and cause sensitivity.  Enjoy if you must, but please remember the suggestions I have made to protect yourself from the detrimental effects of these refreshments.

3.      Don’t allow our Schools to have Cola Machines.  Kids do not brush their teeth at school, and the acids that cause tooth decay begin forming 5 minutes after ingestion.  Maybe this is why I see more decay in children and adolescents than I used too.

4.      Avoid foods with refined sugars as much as possible.  Sticky, sugary foods should only be enjoyed when you have immediate access to a toothbrush.

5.        Avoid Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco.  These items promote gum disease and also increase your risk of Oral Cancer.  Additionally, use of tobacco leads to heart disease and other forms of cancer. I’m not your Mamma, your wife, your husband or your child, but I am someone else who cares about you; so Please LISTEN to us. 

6.        Avoid chewing gum on a habitual basis.  This may cause stress to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint).  An occasional piece of Sugarless Gum is alright; however, daily chewing can lead to painful spasms of the jaw muscles which can create jaw pain and headaches which are difficult to treat.

7.        Avoid biting your fingernails.  I’m sorry I had to bring it up.  I know it’s Gross, but you need to let others know how much it can damage the teeth.

8.        Avoid biting on Pens, Pencils etc.  Some of the more interesting “bitten” items which have cost some of my patients hundreds of dollars to correct are: TV Remote Control, Cap to Fingernail Polish Bottle, Rim of a Coke Can, Beer Bottle Cap (Boy that was Macho! Real Smart too.), Duct Tape, Plastic Price Tag Holders.  Please remember to not ever use your teeth as a tool.  They are a wonderful gift and should be used for their intended purposes of eating, speaking and smiling.

9.        Avoid grinding your teeth.  If this occurs while you sleep, have a protective night guard made in order to prevent fracture of your teeth when you have no control over what is going on.

10.     Avoid Frowning.  You have a wonderful and exciting smile, and it is absolutely impossible to overuse it.

Cosmetic Dentistry of North Texas
Douglas E. Jopling, D.D.S.
5200 Village Creek Drive, Suite 101; 
Plano, Texas 75093  
Ph:(972) 733-3338