oral health*
Look after your pearly
WHITES
GOOD ORAL HYGIENE STARTED AT A YOUNG AGE WILL RESULT IN HAVING LOTS TO SMILE ABOUT IN LATER YEARS, WRITES SARAH MACKINTOSH
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ith September being National Oral Health Month, there’s no better time to pay extra attention to your dental routine, particularly as two of the world’s most common health problems affect the mouth – cavities and gum disease. Two Durban dentists offer their advice on oral health for the whole family. According to Hanno Enslin, who has dental practices in Pinetown and Hillcrest, you should ideally start taking your child to the dentist at around two years of age. A good idea is to take your child with you to your regular check-ups to familiarise them with the environment. “Your child needs to have regular oral health checks, as it facilitates in early detection of caries (cavities), tongue ties which affect feeding and speech, as well as orthodontic problems that may arise,” advises Hanno.
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There are many factors that contribute to poor dental health, but according to Tilesh Bhoola of The Tooth Doctor in Durban North, the main causes are unhealthy diets high in sugar, the use of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. To keep your teeth in top condition, Tilesh recommends these tips: • Maintain a balanced diet. • Drink more water. • Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks. • Ensure you brush twice a day.
5 bad habits you need to kick to ensure healthy teeth • Both adults and children
should limit sugary and acidic drinks. • Adults should try to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption. • For toddlers avoid the prolonged use of baby bottles and pacifiers. • Discourage children from eating too many sticky sweets and drinking undiluted juice. • Don’t skip using a mouth guard and other parafunctional appliances as prescribed by your dentist.
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ABOVE: Hanno Enslin, who has dental practices in Pinetown and Hillcrest. ABOVE RIGHT: Tilesh Bhoola of The Tooth Doctor in Durban North.
