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Treating teeth with wisdom
By Zat Liu (That's Shangha)
Updated: 2004-05-09 08:46 There's a Chinese saying that
when you have a toothache it's yaomingor "like dying." Despite this and
the growing trend for Chinese people to show greater concern for their precious
eating tools, most people still don't take tooth problems as seriously as they
do other diseases.
 Nevertheless, "Oral health is not only important to our physical health
but also to our psychology," says Cai Zhong, director of the Sino-Canadian
Shanghai Dental Centre. "The WHO (World Health Organization) has listed tooth
condition as one of the prime indicators of a human's state of health. Plus,
there's no doubt that people with clean and healthy teeth are more confident in
day-to-day life."
The major tooth problems affecting Chinese people include decayed teeth,
dental calculus and gingivitis, all of which can develop into serious oral (and
other) illnesses. "Tooth problems can cause heart disease and impact on your
overall health condition", Cai warns. "So people should see their dentist for a
check-up every three to six months."
However, many people won't visit a dentist until they suffer acute tooth
problems such as toothache. "I only see my dentist when I can't take the aching
anymore", says Xi An, a Shanghai girl who was having a tooth filled at the
Yangpu Dental Clinic.
Despite the best efforts of dentists, unfortunately our pearly whites are
doomed to lose their gleam eventually due to ageing. Many problems, though, can
be prevented through effective (but not excessive) tooth brushing. "I'd rather
use the term 'wipe off' than 'brush'," comments Cai.
Also, according to Cai, it's important to vary your toothpaste. "Don't stick
to one brand or type of toothpaste. It's just like taking antibiotics - the oral
bacteria become "drug resistant" to the toothpaste you use."
So the expert advice seems to be - if you want to keep your teeth happy and
healthy - brush often, see the dentist and upset the mouth bacteria with
frequent changes of paste. After all, it's much better to smother your teeth
with tender loving care than keep them sitting in a glass by your bedside.
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