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Don't use tobacco products; they can increase the risk of gum disease and cancer of the mouth and throat. |
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Don't chew on hard objects, you could crack a tooth. |
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Wear a mouth guard when playing active sports. |
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Eat a balanced diet for overall health, limit snack foods, instead select your meal from the five main food groups (cereals and grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry, fish and alternatives; milk, cheese and yoghurt). |
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Do not consume sweetened cereals without milk; eating it dry is not good for your teeth. |
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Drinking frequent cups of tea or coffee with sugar added will increase the risk of teeth decay. |
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On hot summery days the saliva in the mouth is less, one should not consume foods containing sugars that stick between the teeth at such times. |
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Chewable vitamin C tablets (with or without sugar) are acidic and are hazardous to children and adults. Do not use lemon juice for whitening your teeth because vitamin C makes the teeth lose calcium, damaging it quicker than anything else. |
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Tips for Babies’ Teeth |
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Don't give babies a bottle containing milk, juice or formula in bed; this is not good for their teeth. The sugars from milk or juice that remain around their mouths for long periods can lead to decay in their little teeth. |
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Prolonged breast feeding with small feeds every few minutes can also lead to tooth decay. |
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When babies get teeth, it is important to give them foods to chew. |
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Young children need help to clean their teeth properly. |
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Visit the dentist regularly. Periodontal Disease of Gums is common in adults and in older people. The dentist can remove plaque from your teeth, reducing the number of bacteria which is vital to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. |
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If you experience the following symptoms, then you may have Periodontal Disease |
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Gums bleeding during brushing |
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Red/swollen gums |
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Gums that have pulled away from the teeth |
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Puss between the teeth and gums |
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Bad breath |
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Loose teeth |
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