One
of the best ways to ensure healthy teeth and gums is with a good home
care program. Properbrushing and flossing is the one way you can make
sure you are doing what you can to protect your mouth. Proper brushing
consists of about three to five minutes of concentrated brushing. A quick
brush may make your mouth feel fresh, but will do very little to remove
the plaque that normally develops during the course of the day. Be sure
to cover all areas of the teeth, inside, outside on the biting surfaces
and along the gum line as well. Since plaque is the substance responsible
for tooth decay, a good brushing at least twice a day will help to prevent
tooth decay. Plaque also has germs, which irritate the gums. Because plaque
forms every twelve hours brushing twice a day is very important in order
to prevent the plaque from turning into an even more irritating substance
known as tartar.
Once
tartar has formed on the teeth your dentist can only remove it. A soft
round bristled toothbrush is the best to neither use since it won’t
scrub away the enamel on your teeth nor irritate the gums. Gently massage
your gums while brushing, this helps to clean them as well as increasing
circulation in the area which is helpful in the prevention of gum disease.
A good home care program which consists of brushing and flossing upon
rising, before going to bed and after every meal, along with regular visits
to your family dentist for a check up and cleaning will certainly help
you in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
One
of the major causes of tooth loss today is due to periodontal disease
or gingivitis as it is commonlycalled. Gum disease is caused by tartar.
Tartar is what plaque turns into when it is not removed. One of the most
difficult areas from which to remove plaque is in between the teeth. Because
plaque turns into tartar literally overnight it is very important to floss
twice a day in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Unfortunately
because flossing seems tedious and time consuming few people floss as
often as they should. A good time to floss is while watching TV. Once
you get the hang of flossing, you don’t need a mirror to se what
you are doing.
When
flossing be careful not to snap the floss up through the teeth as you
can cut your gums that way. Use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss
between the teeth, when you reach the gum line curve the floss against
the wall of the tooth to remove the plaque. If your gums bleed initially
do not be alarmed. If you have not been flossing regularly the gums need
to be conditioned. Tenderness after flossing the first severaltimes is
normal as well. Warm saltwater rinses will help to relieve this tenderness.
Bleeding and tender gums are an indication of gum disease, if these symptoms
persist after one week of daily flossing is sure to contact your dentist
for proper treatment. Periodontal disease will not go away by itself and
can cause serious problems in the mouth due to bone loss and resulting
loss of teeth. A good home care program along with routine dental visits
will certainly do much to ensure a lifelong healthy smile.
Bad
Breath
Nothing
can defeat a first impression easier than bad breath. Most of the time,
you don’t even know you have a problem until someone tells you making
it even more embarrassing. Some people tend to think that using the right
mouthwash will solve their troubles. But generally speaking, a mouthwash
will only sweeten your breath for just a short time. The real problem
behind recurring bad breath is the presence of plaque on your teeth. The
plaque contains bacteria, a key factor in bad breath. If you have a problem
with your breath, you may not be doing the proper oral hygiene at home.
At least twice a day, your teeth require a 2 ½ to 3-minute brushing. Flossing
should be done as well to loosen the plaque between your teeth. If your
gums bleed when you rush or floss, that could be a sign of gum disease.
Gums that bleed are not normal. Regular dental examinations allow for
early detection of dental problems.
Mouth
Wash to Prevent Tooth Decay?
Mouthwash
does not prevent tooth decay. A fluoride rinse however is a good
addition to a thorough brushing and flossing routine. Plaque reacts with
sugars and starches to form an acid, which breaks down the minerals in
the enamel of the teeth, thereby causing a cavity. Your saliva contains
minerals, which can replace the minerals, which have been destroyed by
the acids. Fluoride acts together with these minerals to help in this
re-mineralization process. Mouthwashes with fluorides in them will work
together with your saliva to help your teeth ward off cavities. Adding
a fluoride rinse to a to a thorough brushing routine along with the fluoride
treatments your dentist can provide will help to keep your teeth healthy.
Fluoride
Fluoride
is a nutrient, which our bodies need for growth and development. Fluoride
also helps to reduce
dental decay. When fluoride is taken internally during the time that the
teeth are being formed, it is incorporated into the enamel of the teeth
thereby helping to make the teeth less prone to decay. Once teeth are
formed in the mouth however, fluoride taken internally no longer has any
effects on the tooth structure. At this point fluoridated toothpaste's
and rinses will work with your saliva on the enamel of the teeth, helping
to re-mineralize any enamel that has been broken down. Plaque and sugars
work with each other to create an acid, which causes decay.
Using
fluoridated toothpaste together with limiting sugary foods will also help
to prevent decay. Fluoride is also effective in decreasing sensitivity
of teeth. A fluoride toothpaste or rinse can be used at home as a remedy
for sensitive teeth. Your dentist can also administer fluoride in a stronger
form. This treatment is also effective for teeth, which are sensitive
at the gum line. Fluoride has been a big help in reducing dental decay.
Together with regular visits to your dentist you can work towards a lifelong
healthy and happy smile.
Plaque
Plaque
is a sticky, soft invisible film that forms on exposed surfaces of your
teeth. The bacteria, which make up the plaque, react with sugars and starches
in foods to produce an acid. It’s the acid that dissolves tooth enamel
and begins the decaying process. After repeated acid attacks, and if plaque
is not removed daily, the enamel eventually breaks down and decays - thus
a cavity is formed.
The
irritants in plaque also cause inflammation of the gums making them tender
and prone to bleeding. This is the first stage of periodontal disease.
If you don’t remove the soft plaque, it will mix with saliva and
harden. Once this takes place, brushing will not take the film off your
teeth and your dentist or dental hygienist must remove the tartar. To
keep plaque under control, brush and floss at least twice a day. Visiting
your dentist for regular examinations also play a large role in the prevention
process.
Sensitive
teeth
If
occasionally you experience discomfort due to either hot or cold foods,
or cold air hitting the teeth you may or may not have a dental problem.
Some people have very thin enamel or have worn away enamel due to improper
brushing. Using a brush that is not hard will help in preventing the erosion
of enamel. If however your teeth are very sensitive let your dentist know
so that it can be properly treated.
Concerns
regarding Tongue Piercing . . .
Tongue
piercing is becoming more common. Like other forms of body piercing, it
carries serious risks during the procedure itself. These include the risk
of local or systemic infection. Local infection can occur because the
mouth is hard to sterilize and many places that pierce tongues do not
always maintain a sterile environment.
Systemic
infection is always a possibility and includes the risk of hepatitis and
AIDS. The rinsing with mouthwash may not take care of an infection if
it is serious. It is important to remember that piercing establishments
are not regulated by law nor are the operators licensed. The operator's
experience and competence can vary and are not guaranteed. Like other
forms of body piercing, tongue piercing also can result in an allergy
if the metals used are not of the highest quality. Many times, the stated
price of the piercing does not include the jewelry to be placed.
Unlike
other forms of piercing, the tongue also caries the increased risk of
bleeding problems. The tongue has major blood vessels within it and many
operators are not aware of this. The jewelry may also be swallowed if
loosened and result in choking.
In
addition, unlike other forms of body piercing, tongue piercing also caries
the risk of damage to the surrounding teeth. The hard jewelry can chip
and break the enamel or fillings of the teeth as one talks and eats. This
damage can also result in the death of the tooth's inner pulp if the trauma
to the tooth is chronic. This tooth damage may result in the need for
expensive crowns to restore a smile or even a root canal to keep the tooth.
These are important matters to consider before undergoing tongue piercing.
If there is a problem after tongue piercing, it is important not only
to contact the piercing establishment, but your physician and dentist
as needed. Your smile and your health are important in the long run!
Margaret
J. Fehrenbach, RDH, MS Educational Consultant
Choice
of foods to prevent cavities
Plaque,
which is a sticky film that coats our teeth during the day, has thousands
of bacteria ,
which interact with the foods we eat and cause cavities. By limiting the
diet of certain types of foods which are the biggest causes of decay you
can help to limit the number of cavities you may get. The bacteria in
plaque feed on the sugars and starch we eat to form an acid, which breaks
down the enamel of the teeth and forms cavities. Since dental healthy
foods also contain sugars it is impossible to remove all sugar and starch
from the diet. Sugars and starches should be eaten with a main meal, after
which a thorough brushing will remove any left over food particles. If
a place to brush is not handy, rinse the mouth with water, this too will
help to remove some of the sugars and food particles.
An
important key to dental health is calcium. Children and teenagers need
more calcium than adults to help in the formation of strong, healthy teeth
and bones. Pregnant women also require extra calcium in order for their
baby’s teeth and bones to form properly. Milk products are very high
in calcium as is spinach and canned salmon. Children are just as prone
to cavities as adults are. It is not good to allow your child to nurse
on a bottle with milk or fruit juice for extended periods of time because
the sugars will decay the teeth. Keep snacking at a minimum and definitely
clean your teeth afterwards. A good diet along with regular visits to
the dentist will help to keep your teeth healthy.
Healthy
food for teeth
Foods
both dental and nutritionally recommended are high in nutrients and low
in sugar. In other words, you should try to eat the foods that will do
the most for your teeth and body. For better dental health stick to the
foods that are high in nutritional value. Whether these foods are chosen
as part of a meal or an in between meal snack, these types of foods will
contribute greatly to your daily nutritional needs.
Eat
properly and use the traffic light system with go, caution and stop foods.
Some of the go foods include milk, eggs, yogurt Melba toast, peanuts and
cheese. Milk acts as an acid inhibitor when combined with starches such
as cereal and works against the potential acid production of the cereal.
If milk is used to wash away sweets they will not have as harmful an effect.
Certain cheese such as cheddar are a good preventive food because of its
sharpness, it increases salivary flow.
Caution
foods are not recommended dentally. These foods are actually dentally
poor because they are high in sugar but do have nutritional value. Some
of these foods include ice cream, raisins, dried fruits, and unsweetened
juices, if taken frequently. Other foods in this category are foods that
are nutritionally poor but dentally acceptable. These types of food include
pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips. The last group of foods is the stop
group. These foods are both dentally and nutritionally unacceptable. Chocolate,
candies, gum, jellies and beverages high in sugars. Avoid these foods
whenever possible.
Snacks
that save smiles include meat, seafood, hard-boiled eggs, milk, cheese,
raw vegetables, plain popcorn, seeds and nuts. Snacks that are not good
for a healthy smile include candy, cookies, cakes, pastries, presweetened
cereals, marshmallows, granola bars, fast foods; sugar sweetened gum and
soda. Eat sensibly, brush and floss your teeth, visit your dentist regularly
and you will be on your way to better dental health.
Orthodontics
& Oral Hygiene
The
level of cooperation between the patient and the orthodontist determines
the rate of success of orthodontic treatment. It is important to remember
that although orthodontic appliances do not cause cavities they can contribute
to them if the mouth is not properly maintained.
Because
bands and appliances act as traps for food particle sand bacteria the
teeth underneath are more susceptible to decay. It is for this reason
that a thorough brushing routine be established and maintained. Routine
visits to your regular dentist for check ups and cleanings will aid in
preventing major problems or destruction to the teeth under the bands
or appliances. Because good success is guaranteed by the teamwork between
orthodontist and patient it is important to keep regularly scheduled appointments
and follow the instructions given by your orthodontist.
Although
the wearing of rubber bands, headgear or appliances may not be pleasant
- the degree of cooperation will determine the rate of success. Broken
appliances, brackets or wires need to be repaired immediately, be sure
to call your orthodontist as soon as possible. Remember you have made
an investment in your smile, cooperation between you and your orthodontist
will guarantee that investment!
An
exciting educational forum that has been created on the Internet which
consists of a series of case-based learning files for dental hygiene treatment
plans:
http://www.marquette.edu/dhforum
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