Interesting Facts About Dental Care That Everyone Should Know!
Tooth Brushing Tooth brushing is required to remove dental plaque.
It is recommended that your teeth be brushed twice a day, after breakfast and before bed.
A soft bristled toothbrush with a small head can be used in conjunction with fluoride toothpaste.
Toothbrushes/electric toothbrush heads should be changed every three months or when the bristles are worn.
Manual tooth brushing technique Start with the toothbrush head at a 45-degree angle of the gum line.
Use the toothbrush in small gentle movements; this can be circular, upwards/downwards or jiggling motions.
This removes the plaque under the gum line and on the tooth surface.
Avoid brushing in a heavy horizontal stroke as it can damage the teeth and gums.
Repeat these movements on both the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth.
The chewing 'flat' surfaces of the teeth are cleaned with a backward and forward motion 10 seconds should be spent to clean each tooth; brushing teeth properly will take 3-5 minutes.
Gently brush the tongue from back to front to help prevent bad breath.
Electric tooth brushing technique Position the electric toothbrush head on the tooth at the gum margin.
Brush all inner and outer surfaces by cleaning a single tooth surface for 2 seconds before moving onto the next surface by using a gentle rolling movement.
The chewing 'flat' surfaces are cleaned by placing the toothbrush head on each surface for 2 seconds.
Flossing Flossing is an essential part of cleaning between your teeth.
It is recommended that you floss at least once a day, before brushing.
With 30-40 cm of floss, wrap the floss around your index or middle fingers until there is about 5cm between your two hands.
One finger remains in the mouth while flossing.
Gently seesaw the floss between your teeth until it is slightly under the gum.
Use your fingers to manipulate the floss around one tooth (creating a half moon shape) and use a wiping action for plaque and debris removal.
Remove the floss, using a fresh section of the floss.
Re-insert the floss between the same two teeth and floss around the other tooth.
Repeat throughout the mouth until all the spaces in between the teeth have been flossed.
Interdental Brushes Interdental brushes are nylon filaments, which are twisted into a fine wire with a handle.
They look similar to a bottlebrush but are much smaller.
These brushes are used as a form of brushing in between the larger spaces in between your teeth.
They remove food and plaque between the teeth and can also be used for applying chemical agents to the tooth surface.
E.
g.
fluoride gels to decrease sensitivity.
How to use interdental brushes Select the correct size brush, the brush should have some resistance while inserting between the teeth.
Moisten the brush and insert between the teeth, brush in and out Repeat throughout the mouth, change sizes if necessary for different sized gaps.
After using the brush, rinse brush under running water Clean thoroughly and air dry Discard when the brush filaments start to fray or the wire is breaking Mouth Rinse Mouth rinse is commonly used as aids for the mechanical cleaning of the teeth, i.
e.
tooth brushing and flossing.
Using a rinse alone will not keep your teeth clean as most mouth rinses act to reduce the bacterial levels in the mouth.
Fluoride rinses are used for the prevention of dental decay in adults and children.
Whereas chemotherapeutic rinses contain active ingredients that aid in preventing periodontal disease, tooth decay and reduce the inflammation within the oral cavity.
The main uses of mouth rinses are to: Reduce bacteria present in the mouth Reduce bad breath Strengthen teeth Reduce sensitivity Reduce gingivitis or inflammation Prevent dental decay Prevent infection after oral surgery How to use a mouth rinse: Thoroughly brush and floss teeth Measure out the recommended amount of mouthwash Swish the liquid around the mouth for the recommended period of time Spit out the liquid To maximize the benefits, do not rinse, eat or smoke for 30 minutes after the use of the mouth rinse Care is to be taken when using mouth rinses as they do have many side effects.
Some of the considerations are: Staining of teeth Increased tartar formation under and above the gum line Altered taste High alcohol content Smoking Smoking has a systemic effect on the body.
Given that it is inhaled through the oral cavity and oesophagus, it can have a detrimental effect on the gums, teeth, mouth and throat.
Some of the more obvious effects of smoking are staining, loss of taste and bad breath.
Other less detectable problems can occur in smokers, such as: Gum disease There are two common types gum disease that can occur, gingivitis and periodontitis.
This disease occurs because of the presence of plaque and tartar that has built up on teeth over a period of time.
Gingivitis is recognized by the inflammation of gum tissue, it does not cause any permanent damage to the surrounding attachment tissues.
Gingivitis is normally not painful but it does cause bleeding gums.
Gums can also appear red and inflamed.
Periodontitis: Refer to Periodontitis Tooth decay There is an increased risk of tooth decay with people who smoke.
This is due to the altered environment of the oral cavity.
Smoking causes you to have less saliva flow, more plaque and tartar accumulation and increased pH in the mouth.
All these side effects of smoking leads to a more favourable environment for bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Leukoplakia Is an unidentified white patch on the skin of the mouth, this patch cannot be wiped off.
This patch is often found in smokers and this lesion can turn into oral cancer.
If your dentist identifies this lesion, a referral will be given to see an oral medicine specialist to investigate the lesion further.
Oral Cancer There is a very high risk of smokers getting diagnosed with oral cancer.
Early cancerous lesions are normally painless and difficult to detect.
Any lesions will be detected by a thorough oral examination by your dental practitioner.
Early diagnosis of a cancerous lesion will increase the cure rate.
Some signs and symptoms of oral cancer are: Lesions or sores in the mouth that do not heal or bleed easily White or red patches of skin which remain in the mouth without healing for long periods of time Any pain or lumps on the skin of the mouth, tongue or throat Chewing or swallowing can become difficult There can also be changes in the way the teeth fit together Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease / Pyorrhoea Periodontitis is when there is inflammation affecting the supporting structures of the tooth.
These supporting structures are the gum tissue, the ligaments attaching the tooth to the bone, and the bone surrounding the tooth.
Periodontitis can cause many of the following problems: Infection of pockets around the crowns and roots of teeth.
Bone loss around the tooth Major damage to gums and surrounding structures can lead to tooth loss Loss of one or more teeth Movement of teeth or even drifting and over erupting teeth Some of the signs and symptoms of gum disease are: Bleeding gums this can be when brushing or spontaneous Gums appear red, swollen or tender Gums appear receded from the crown of the tooth Bad breath that is constant Leaking puss between teeth and gums Mobile or loose teeth Damage caused by periodontitis cannot be reversed, but can be stabilized with adequate detection and treatment from a dentist or a periodontist.
Your home care is plays a very vital role in the disease progression as dental plaque and tartar promotes the inflammation of the gums.
Diabetes Diabetes is categorized as a disease that involves hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia is when there is a defect or inability for the body to take up sugars from the blood stream and transport the sugars to the bodily cells.
Diabetes can affect the oral cavity in many ways, such as: Increased gum inflammation Periodontal disease is more frequent and more severe In poorly controlled cases, there can be an increase of tooth decay Lips are dry and cracked Saliva flow is lowered Delayed healing Increased risk of fungal infections Decreased taste perception It is vital as a diabetic to have good blood glucose levels and have a well balanced diet.
Diabetics also need to have a high standard of oral hygiene as any infection in the mouth can lead to other health issues.
Frequent dental visits are recommended to maintain dental health and prevent any dental related infections that can occur.
Diet A healthy diet is essential for overall health and dental health.
Diet usually plays a major role in the rate and progression of tooth decay.
Sugars within the diet promote bacterial attacks on the teeth causing dental decay.
Prevent and control tooth decay by: Good oral hygiene habits Decreasing the frequency of sugar intake and other foods that can cause tooth decay Strengthening the tooth structure Make sure there is plenty of saliva, low saliva levels will increase the risk of decay Xerostomia / Dry Mouth Dry mouth also known as xerostomia is a lack of saliva in the mouth.
Saliva is an essential part in keeping the mouth healthy.
This is due to the lubricating, cleansing, buffering and remineralizing properties of saliva.
Having little or no saliva can cause many problems such as: Difficulty eating Difficulty speaking Halitosis / bad breath Increase in tooth decay Increase in plaque and calculus Periodontal disease Increased tooth wear Mucosa infections Taste alterations Dry mouth can be caused by: Sjogren's syndrome Diabetes Smoking Excess alcohol consumption Anxiety Certain medications Dehydration Radiation therapy in the head and neck area Stress Caffeine To treat xerostomia the cause must be found before this problem can be fixed.
In the majority of cases it is not possible to fix xerostomia but relief from the side effects and prevention of tooth decay is possible.
People with low saliva levels need to have: A meticulous oral hygiene regime A healthy diet with sugarless fluids Sugarless gum after every meal to stimulate the saliva Use a saliva substitute for extra lubrication Plenty of water throughout the day For more usefully information please visit the Best Dentist in Brisbane at http://www.
bestdentistinbrisbane.
com.
It is recommended that your teeth be brushed twice a day, after breakfast and before bed.
A soft bristled toothbrush with a small head can be used in conjunction with fluoride toothpaste.
Toothbrushes/electric toothbrush heads should be changed every three months or when the bristles are worn.
Manual tooth brushing technique Start with the toothbrush head at a 45-degree angle of the gum line.
Use the toothbrush in small gentle movements; this can be circular, upwards/downwards or jiggling motions.
This removes the plaque under the gum line and on the tooth surface.
Avoid brushing in a heavy horizontal stroke as it can damage the teeth and gums.
Repeat these movements on both the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth.
The chewing 'flat' surfaces of the teeth are cleaned with a backward and forward motion 10 seconds should be spent to clean each tooth; brushing teeth properly will take 3-5 minutes.
Gently brush the tongue from back to front to help prevent bad breath.
Electric tooth brushing technique Position the electric toothbrush head on the tooth at the gum margin.
Brush all inner and outer surfaces by cleaning a single tooth surface for 2 seconds before moving onto the next surface by using a gentle rolling movement.
The chewing 'flat' surfaces are cleaned by placing the toothbrush head on each surface for 2 seconds.
Flossing Flossing is an essential part of cleaning between your teeth.
It is recommended that you floss at least once a day, before brushing.
With 30-40 cm of floss, wrap the floss around your index or middle fingers until there is about 5cm between your two hands.
One finger remains in the mouth while flossing.
Gently seesaw the floss between your teeth until it is slightly under the gum.
Use your fingers to manipulate the floss around one tooth (creating a half moon shape) and use a wiping action for plaque and debris removal.
Remove the floss, using a fresh section of the floss.
Re-insert the floss between the same two teeth and floss around the other tooth.
Repeat throughout the mouth until all the spaces in between the teeth have been flossed.
Interdental Brushes Interdental brushes are nylon filaments, which are twisted into a fine wire with a handle.
They look similar to a bottlebrush but are much smaller.
These brushes are used as a form of brushing in between the larger spaces in between your teeth.
They remove food and plaque between the teeth and can also be used for applying chemical agents to the tooth surface.
E.
g.
fluoride gels to decrease sensitivity.
How to use interdental brushes Select the correct size brush, the brush should have some resistance while inserting between the teeth.
Moisten the brush and insert between the teeth, brush in and out Repeat throughout the mouth, change sizes if necessary for different sized gaps.
After using the brush, rinse brush under running water Clean thoroughly and air dry Discard when the brush filaments start to fray or the wire is breaking Mouth Rinse Mouth rinse is commonly used as aids for the mechanical cleaning of the teeth, i.
e.
tooth brushing and flossing.
Using a rinse alone will not keep your teeth clean as most mouth rinses act to reduce the bacterial levels in the mouth.
Fluoride rinses are used for the prevention of dental decay in adults and children.
Whereas chemotherapeutic rinses contain active ingredients that aid in preventing periodontal disease, tooth decay and reduce the inflammation within the oral cavity.
The main uses of mouth rinses are to: Reduce bacteria present in the mouth Reduce bad breath Strengthen teeth Reduce sensitivity Reduce gingivitis or inflammation Prevent dental decay Prevent infection after oral surgery How to use a mouth rinse: Thoroughly brush and floss teeth Measure out the recommended amount of mouthwash Swish the liquid around the mouth for the recommended period of time Spit out the liquid To maximize the benefits, do not rinse, eat or smoke for 30 minutes after the use of the mouth rinse Care is to be taken when using mouth rinses as they do have many side effects.
Some of the considerations are: Staining of teeth Increased tartar formation under and above the gum line Altered taste High alcohol content Smoking Smoking has a systemic effect on the body.
Given that it is inhaled through the oral cavity and oesophagus, it can have a detrimental effect on the gums, teeth, mouth and throat.
Some of the more obvious effects of smoking are staining, loss of taste and bad breath.
Other less detectable problems can occur in smokers, such as: Gum disease There are two common types gum disease that can occur, gingivitis and periodontitis.
This disease occurs because of the presence of plaque and tartar that has built up on teeth over a period of time.
Gingivitis is recognized by the inflammation of gum tissue, it does not cause any permanent damage to the surrounding attachment tissues.
Gingivitis is normally not painful but it does cause bleeding gums.
Gums can also appear red and inflamed.
Periodontitis: Refer to Periodontitis Tooth decay There is an increased risk of tooth decay with people who smoke.
This is due to the altered environment of the oral cavity.
Smoking causes you to have less saliva flow, more plaque and tartar accumulation and increased pH in the mouth.
All these side effects of smoking leads to a more favourable environment for bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Leukoplakia Is an unidentified white patch on the skin of the mouth, this patch cannot be wiped off.
This patch is often found in smokers and this lesion can turn into oral cancer.
If your dentist identifies this lesion, a referral will be given to see an oral medicine specialist to investigate the lesion further.
Oral Cancer There is a very high risk of smokers getting diagnosed with oral cancer.
Early cancerous lesions are normally painless and difficult to detect.
Any lesions will be detected by a thorough oral examination by your dental practitioner.
Early diagnosis of a cancerous lesion will increase the cure rate.
Some signs and symptoms of oral cancer are: Lesions or sores in the mouth that do not heal or bleed easily White or red patches of skin which remain in the mouth without healing for long periods of time Any pain or lumps on the skin of the mouth, tongue or throat Chewing or swallowing can become difficult There can also be changes in the way the teeth fit together Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease / Pyorrhoea Periodontitis is when there is inflammation affecting the supporting structures of the tooth.
These supporting structures are the gum tissue, the ligaments attaching the tooth to the bone, and the bone surrounding the tooth.
Periodontitis can cause many of the following problems: Infection of pockets around the crowns and roots of teeth.
Bone loss around the tooth Major damage to gums and surrounding structures can lead to tooth loss Loss of one or more teeth Movement of teeth or even drifting and over erupting teeth Some of the signs and symptoms of gum disease are: Bleeding gums this can be when brushing or spontaneous Gums appear red, swollen or tender Gums appear receded from the crown of the tooth Bad breath that is constant Leaking puss between teeth and gums Mobile or loose teeth Damage caused by periodontitis cannot be reversed, but can be stabilized with adequate detection and treatment from a dentist or a periodontist.
Your home care is plays a very vital role in the disease progression as dental plaque and tartar promotes the inflammation of the gums.
Diabetes Diabetes is categorized as a disease that involves hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia is when there is a defect or inability for the body to take up sugars from the blood stream and transport the sugars to the bodily cells.
Diabetes can affect the oral cavity in many ways, such as: Increased gum inflammation Periodontal disease is more frequent and more severe In poorly controlled cases, there can be an increase of tooth decay Lips are dry and cracked Saliva flow is lowered Delayed healing Increased risk of fungal infections Decreased taste perception It is vital as a diabetic to have good blood glucose levels and have a well balanced diet.
Diabetics also need to have a high standard of oral hygiene as any infection in the mouth can lead to other health issues.
Frequent dental visits are recommended to maintain dental health and prevent any dental related infections that can occur.
Diet A healthy diet is essential for overall health and dental health.
Diet usually plays a major role in the rate and progression of tooth decay.
Sugars within the diet promote bacterial attacks on the teeth causing dental decay.
Prevent and control tooth decay by: Good oral hygiene habits Decreasing the frequency of sugar intake and other foods that can cause tooth decay Strengthening the tooth structure Make sure there is plenty of saliva, low saliva levels will increase the risk of decay Xerostomia / Dry Mouth Dry mouth also known as xerostomia is a lack of saliva in the mouth.
Saliva is an essential part in keeping the mouth healthy.
This is due to the lubricating, cleansing, buffering and remineralizing properties of saliva.
Having little or no saliva can cause many problems such as: Difficulty eating Difficulty speaking Halitosis / bad breath Increase in tooth decay Increase in plaque and calculus Periodontal disease Increased tooth wear Mucosa infections Taste alterations Dry mouth can be caused by: Sjogren's syndrome Diabetes Smoking Excess alcohol consumption Anxiety Certain medications Dehydration Radiation therapy in the head and neck area Stress Caffeine To treat xerostomia the cause must be found before this problem can be fixed.
In the majority of cases it is not possible to fix xerostomia but relief from the side effects and prevention of tooth decay is possible.
People with low saliva levels need to have: A meticulous oral hygiene regime A healthy diet with sugarless fluids Sugarless gum after every meal to stimulate the saliva Use a saliva substitute for extra lubrication Plenty of water throughout the day For more usefully information please visit the Best Dentist in Brisbane at http://www.
bestdentistinbrisbane.
com.
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