Perchè lavare i denti di sera previene ictus e infarti? Alcuni consigli degli infermieri.

The Nursing Up page continues with a series of articles on prevention and health education.

Several highly relevant international studies state that the length of life is directly proportional to the number of teeth you have in your mouth.

The higher the number of teeth you have in your mouth, the greater the chances of having a long and healthy life.

According to researchers, reaching the age of 75 with all your teeth still healthy means you are almost certain to surpass 100 years in good health.

Those who do not brush their teeth, especially before going to bed, have an increased mortality risk of 35%, in some cases of poor hygiene, even 50%.

The health of our mouth is therefore fundamental.

What do teeth have to do with mortality?

Gum diseases are linked to many heart conditions, but also to stroke, diabetes, and senile dementia, and can even cause problems during pregnancy or lead to poor absorption of food by the body.

But what happens at night in our mouth? During the day germs accumulate, at night the saliva flow is absent, plaque builds up on the teeth, bacteria reproduce, especially in the presence of sugars. There are some cases, particularly during various mouth infections, where pathogens and even their toxins can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body; for example, mouth bacteria have been found in coronary plaques. 

This is why it is important to brush your teeth in the evening.

Education in proper oral hygiene, healthy eating habits, fluoride prophylaxis, and small precautions can improve the health of our mouth and prevent many diseases.

Here are some tips from us nurses:

- Do not smoke; if you do, eat an apple or chew gum afterwards to limit the damage.

- Eat fruit and vegetable snacks rich in vitamin C

- Undergo at least one professional cleaning session and a dental check-up per year (Nursing Up offers free cleaning to all its members, click for info on the free dental insurance policy)

- Choose gentle toothpastes, specifically designed for sensitive teeth and gums

- Mouthwashes (especially before going to bed and preferably without alcohol)

- If your gums are red, bleed, or recede, go immediately to the dentist for a proper evaluation.

- If you have no teeth, if you cannot afford braces or a dentist, brush them anyway, perhaps with a gentle toothbrush. Your gums will thank you.

- Instead of dental floss, you could also use a water flosser, to avoid accidents

- If you think your meal, lunch, dinner, breakfast, will last more than 15 minutes, brush them before eating. However, it remains vital to brush them in the evening, before going to bed.

In the evening there should be no excuses, they must be brushed.

Prevention must therefore begin in the first months of life, yes, it is fundamental.

Let's see some advice for our little ones:

- The famous grandma's pacifier with sugar or honey, or the bottle with sugary drinks, especially during sleep, cause cavities. Even if they are baby teeth, it is better to prevent as the permanent ones will come in.

- parents should always brush their teeth in front of their children, so as to have a natural imitative effect, innate in children.

- Clean the first teeth with a damp gauze or with rubber fingers, start with a soft toothbrush as soon as possible, always with supervision. As toothpaste, use the one dedicated for children.

Brushing should be done after main meals and should last about 3 minutes.

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