661-Pete wrote:healthy gums means less risk of heart disease or stroke
Unless there has been some recent breakthrough study, it is only known that the gum disease is associated with heart disease, not that it causes it.
I've not now been to a dentist for 15 years since the more frequently you have check-ups, the more fillings and treatment you receive. Checkups can be really bad for your teeth because the dental explorer breeches regions of softened enamel. Ones the dentist has breeched your enamel, he has you on a lifetime conveyor belt of fillings, bigger fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, and bridges and implants or dentures. Live teeth can actually recover and remineralise their enamel (they grew in the first place didn't they?). Part of the secret is keeping them moistened with saliva, which naturally contains calcium and phosphate ions (guess what tooth enamel is composed from?). Once you receive a root canal, then the tooth is dead. People who breathe through their mouth, particularly at night, have a greater propensity towards cavities because their teeth are dry. It is a similar case if your have bugs bunny teeth. I wonder if cyclists suffer more, too?
Visiting the hygienist for a polish is also detrimental to tooth health. It leaves them nice and smooth for a while, but in reality it has removed the plaque, which should be a protective protein matrix full of helpful bacteria. Most of us have acid-creating bacterial residing in our dental biofilm because of the diets we follow. The acid creating bacteria, which thrive on sugar, can be easily killed by a change in diet so that your biofilm can be recolonized with helpful species.
It's all part of an old story in which medical people are revered like gods, and never questioned, but in reality they are following received wisdom that are about as justifiable as astrology.