NEGLECTED TEETH can lead to a host of health problems, so figures from the last British Dental Health Foundation’s (BDHF) National Smile Month may surprise you. They suggest around a quarter of adults haven’t visited the dentist in the past two years, a quarter don’t brush twice a day and three in 10 have regular dental pain. One in three people have never flossed and 27% only see the dentist if there’s a problem. Not only does this neglect have implications for the health of our gums and jaw, but links are emerging between poor oral health and serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and pneumonia. Here’s how to care for, and what to eat, to protect yours.
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