FEBRUARY:
Dental Health Toolkit
February is a good opportunity to focus on the sometimes overlooked, yet important topic of dental health. The AFMS is dedicated to the health and wellness of our nation’s service men, women, and their families. Each and every member of the Air Force contributes every day to the completion of the Air Force’s total mission. Each individual is important. In a similar way the seemingly smaller and less important areas of your health and wellness, including dental health, contribute to your overall well-being.
What do you need to know to effectively raise awareness about dental health?
- Maintaining dental health
- Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Brush in circles and short back and forth strokes for two minutes
- Be gentle along the gum line
- Replace your old toothbrush every three to four months or when it becomes worn
- Floss between your teeth daily
- Regularly visit a dentist for cleaning and check-ups
- Limit the amount of sugar you consume
- Don’t use tobacco
- Limit the amount of alcohol you consume
- Dental health conditions
- Cavities
- Tooth decay that can be painful
- Visit a dentist to fill cavities and prevent the decay from spreading
- Tooth Loss
- Tooth decay that goes uncared for can lead to tooth loss
- Gingivitis
- A form of periodontal disease that causes infection and inflammation that destroys tissues that support the teeth
- Due to the long term effects that plaque deposits have on the teeth
- Symptoms of gingivitis:
- Bleeding, swollen, or sore gums
- Shiny appearance to gums
- Mouth sores
- See a dentist if you have experienced these symptoms and are concerned about gingivitis
- Oral Cancer
- Cancer of the mouth or pharynx
- 42,000 people are diagnosed per year
- Eight thousand people die from oral cancer each year
- Oral cancer risk factors
- Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of oral cancer
- Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk of developing oral cancer
- HPV has been shown to increase the chance of oral cancer
- The risk of developing oral cancer increases with age
- Sun exposure increases chances of developing cancer of the lips
- A diet that is low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of developing oral cancer
- Preventing oral cancer
- Early detection is critical to treating any type of oral cancer
- Visit the dentist regularly for teeth cleanings and check-ups
- Quit smoking and/or using chewing tobacco
- Limit the consumption of alcohol
- Symptoms of oral cancer
- A sore, lump, or thick patch in your mouth or throat
- A red or white patch on the inside of your mouth
- A feeling that something is caught in your throat
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving your jaw and tongue
- Swelling of the jaw
- Pain in one ear without hearing loss
- See a physician if you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms for two or more weeks