Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Super Clean Mouth

By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry
Monday, February 02, 2004

STORY:  SUPER CLEAN MOUTH

According to Vogue Magazine, Americans have a new health obsession. It's a super-clean mouth. Why? Many Americans now link oral hygiene to overall good health. Dr. Linda Niessen looks at the evidence in today's Dental Health Check.

More people are connecting an attractive smile with good physical health. Vogue Magazine editors call this the latest health trend in an article titled, "Foaming at the mouth." With the oral care business reaching 3.4 billion a year, the magazine concludes Americans are more obsessed about teeth and gums than ever.

"People realize two things. One- that a healthy mouth makes them feel better.  Second-it gives them self confidence if the mouth is comfortable it looks good."

In the trendy book, the Oral Health Bible, the authors summarize research that links periodontal disease to arteriosclerosis, diabetes, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, lung infections, and premature births.

"They'll probably find there are more and more links to oral disease and  general health."

To protect their investment, many cosmetic dental patients take better care of their teeth on a daily basis.

"There is an obsession to some extent with cosmetic dentistry.  Good home care with quality aesthetic dentistry makes a huge difference in patients."

For a super clean mouth, think of these as your new beauty products: a soft tooth brush to use after every meal fluoride toothpaste dental floss you use daily and mouth wash to kill bacteria

For a bright smile, consult your dentist for the many whitening options. For Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A & M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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