Tooth Care

BRUSHING

Tooth brushing will remove dental plaque and other debris from your teeth. Plaque plays a primary role in oral disease such as tooth decay and gum disease. The best way to remove plaque from the tooth surface on a daily home care basis is through tooth brushing and some form of "between the teeth" cleaning.

HOW TO BRUSH

The following toothbrush technique is commonly recommended by dental hygienists. You should see your dental hygienist to ensure that you are using a technique that meets your needs.

  • Use a soft bristled brush (synthetic bristles preferably because natural bristles tend to harbor the oral bacteria as the bristles are more porous). Be sure it is the right size (generally smaller is better than larger).
  • Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the teeth. Slide the tips of the brush under the gums.
  • Jiggle the bristles very gently so that any plaque growing under the gum will be removed.
  • Be sure to brush the outside, the tongue side and the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
  • For the front teeth, brush the inside surfaces of the upper and lower jaws by tilting the brush vertically and making several up and down strokes with the front part of the brush over the teeth and gum tissues.
  • Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath. Debris and bacteria can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.

Your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time. Change its position to properly clean each tooth.

To prevent plaque damage, be sure to brush at least once every day, preferably at bedtime. Adding a brush time after breakfast increases your chances of thorough daily plaque removal.

Don’t rush your brush. A thorough brushing should take at least 3 minutes.

Brushing the teeth too vigorously or using a hard bristled toothbrush causes the gums to recede and exposes root surfaces. It also wears down the tooth structure. Both of these conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity.

A pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste is all you need, should you choose to use a toothpaste.

Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread. A worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.

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FLOSSING

Flossing helps to remove plaque from in between your teeth, in areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. It is not the space between the teeth you are flossing, but the tooth surface

HOW TO FLOSS

  • Wrap about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of your hands.
  • Holding the floss tightly (use your thumbs and forefingers) gently guide the floss between your teeth. Never "snap" the floss as this can cut the gums.
  • When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel pressure against the tooth.
  • Gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss.
  • Repeat this method on all your teeth.
  • Move to a clean area of floss after one or two teeth.

Don’t be discouraged with your first attempt. Flossing is a skill that is learned and after a while, it will take only a few minutes of your time.

If you do not have good finger dexterity, you may find it helpful to use a commercial floss holder.

Children may find it easier to use a loop of floss. Take a piece of floss about 10 inches long and tie the ends together, into a circle. Then hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers to floss. Most children cannot floss their own teeth properly until about the age of 10.

Establish a regular pattern and time for flossing, so that you don’t miss any of your teeth.

Remember to be gentle when inserting floss between your teeth and under the gumline. Flossing can injure your gums if done improperly.

Your gums may bleed and be sore for the first few days that you floss. Your gums should heal and the bleeding should stop once all the bacteria are removed.

See your dental hygienist for a demonstration. It takes practice.


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DENTURES

Just because you may have dentures does not mean that you can ignore your oral health and hygiene. It is still important to seek dental services regularly for evaluating the soft tissues and to examine the denture for proper fit, comfort, and function.

Why should I clean my denture daily?

Daily cleaning of your denture is necessary to prevent build-up of plaque, food, calculus (tartar), and stain which can cause:

  • problems with appearance or esthetics
  • mouth odor
  • irritation to the tissues under the denture
  • infections in the mouth

How do I keep my dentures clean?

  • Rinse the denture under water after meals to remove loose food debris.
  • Brush regularly after each meal, or at least before bed. This removes the plaque and some stains.
  • Brush with water, soap, or a mildly abrasive toothpaste, or denture paste. Scouring powders or other abrasive cleaners should not be used because they scratch the denture. Scratches make the denture more susceptible to collecting debris, plaque and stain.
  • You can use a denture brush or a regular soft toothbrush to clean the denture, but use a separate brush for cleaning any natural teeth you have.
  • Make sure you reach all areas of the denture.
  • The denture can be soaked in a solvent (such as Efferdent, Polident) or a detergent with a chemical action that removes or loosens light stains and deposits. Rinse the denture with water afterwards. Chemical immersions can be done daily or several times a week.
  • Ultrasonic cleaning is done during a dental appointment to remove heavy stain and calculus (tartar).
  • The most effective way to keep your dentures clean is by daily brushing, in combination with soaking the dentures in a chemical solution.

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SEALANTS

Sealing Out Dental Decay

While cavity prevention starts with a healthy diet, brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and regular dental checkups, sealants can offer additional protection against tooth decay. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars). This clear, plastic coating bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surface effectively sealing out the decay-causing bacteria, and reducing the risk of cavities and tooth decay.

Here's How it's Done

The application of sealants is easy, painless, and takes only a few minutes to complete. First, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and then etched with a solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then 'painted' onto the pits and fissures, where it bonds directly or is hardened with a high-intensity light. Sealants usually last several years before a reapplication is required. Your dentist will monitor your sealants during your regular checkup.


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WOMEN AND TEETH

Many pregnant women show some signs of gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitis is defined as the inflammation or swelling of the gum tissues. Most cases of gingivitis are the result of poor oral hygiene.

If plaque, the bacterial film that builds up on your teeth, is not removed daily by brushing and flossing, the plaque can irritate the gums, making them bright red, tender, swollen, sensitive and bleed readily.

During pregnancy there is a special need for good oral hygiene because pregnancy may exaggerate the body's normal response to dental plaque. This is because four basic hormones vital to the continuation of pregnancy are produced in large quantities during the gestation period. This hormonal increase exaggerates the way the gum tissues react to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in an increased likelihood that a pregnant women will develop gum disease if her daily plaque control is not adequate. It is important to note, that it is the plaque, and not the increased hormone levels that is the major cause of pregnancy gingivitis.

Swelling of the gums is usually first seen in the second month of pregnancy and generally reaches a peak by the middle of the last trimester. It can remain that way for 3-6 months after delivery. The seriousness of the gingivitis can range from mild to severe depending on the gum problems existing before pregnancy. Pregnancy generally worsens preexisting gum problems, sometimes dramatically.

The "old wives" tale of "a tooth for every pregnancy" is based on misconceptions that oral problems during pregnancy are a normal occurrence and cannot be prevented. Even though hormonal changes are occurring, making the pregnant woman more at risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis, a mouth that is clean (i.e. good plaque control) does not develop pregnancy gingivitis.

Prevention:

Effectively brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least once a day. Use a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles. Choose a size and shape that allows you to clean the chewing surface, the cheek side, and the tongue side of the tooth. Brushing should take 2-3 minutes so DON’T RUSH YOUR BRUSH!!!

Floss your teeth daily to remove plaque from the tooth surfaces not reached by the toothbrush (like the sides of your teeth).

Visit your oral health professional such as your dental hygienist regularly for advice and therapy on oral disease prevention and oral health promotion while you are pregnant. This is a good time to ask your hygienist if you are brushing and flossing effectively and if there is room for improvement in your daily plaque control.

By practicing good oral hygiene, and visiting your dental hygienist regularly, gingivitis can be prevented during pregnancy.


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X-RAYS

The term x-ray is actually referring to the radiation that is used to make the image on the film. The radiograph or picture on the film is the resultant picture that we see. A radiograph is an extremely important diagnostic tool. These pictures show the dental professional many things that are not visible by just looking in the mouth. Therefore, radiographs are an essential part of a thorough and complete examination. In order to do a proper checkup, it is important that radiographs are used to help with the visual exam. Without the proper use of both, an inferior examination and inferior treatment will result.

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