 Most people know
that having a clean mouth is important. It makes you feel good
about yourself. It gives you fresh breath and a nicer-looking
smile. Since childhood, you've probably heard that brushing
and flossing your teeth daily are necessary for good dental
health. But like many people, you may not be sure
why.
Brushing and flossing remove a thin sticky film of
bacteria that grows on your teeth. This sticky film, called
plaque, is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease. How
can bacteria cause so many problems?
Many of the foods
you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids.
Sugared foods, such as candy and cookies, are not the only
culprits. Starches, such as bread, crackers, and cereal, also
cause acids to form. If you snack often, you could be having
acid attacks all day long. After many acid attacks, your teeth
may decay.
Plaque also produces substances that
irritate the gums, making them red, tender or bleed easily.
After a while, gums may pull away from the teeth. Pockets form
and fill with more bacteria and pus. If the gums are not
treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed. The teeth
may become loose or have to be removed. In fact, gum disease
is a main cause of tooth loss in adults.
One way to
prevent tooth decay and gum disease is by eating a balanced
diet and limiting the number of between-meal snacks. If you
need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables,
plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit.
Gum
Disease
Periodontal
Disease
Normal, Healthy Gingival
(gums); periodontal ligament and bone anchor
teeth firmly in place.
Gingivitis; plaque and its
byproducts irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed
and likely to bleed.
Periodontitis; unremoved, plaque
hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus
continue to build up, the gums being to recede (pull away)
from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and
gums.
Advance Periodontitis; The gums
recede farther, destroying more bone and the periodontal
ligament, Teeth-even teeth without decay - may become loose
and need to be extracted.
Periodontal
Disease Management
Subgingival
scaling
Root planing
Other
Treatments
Oral irrigation
in conjunction with scaling and root planing
Antibiotic
therapy
Additional
homecare beyond daily brushing and
flossing
Daily Oral Care
The best way to
remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning
between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the
tooth surfaces. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a
soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should
fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily. Use a
toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your
teeth from decay. When choosing any dental product, look for
the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, an
important symbol of a dental product's safety and
effectiveness.
Cleaning between the teeth with floss or
interdental cleaners removes plaque from between the teeth,
areas where the toothbrush can't reach. It is essential in
preventing gum disease.
Regular dental preventive visits along with good home
care are both required for good dental health. You cannot
just do one or the other. The recommended frequency
for most people including children is one every 6 months.
Some individuals require more or less frequent visits,
but it is important to allow your dentist to determine
the frequency. Our Hygenists removes tartar and stain
from the teeth and then a certified dentist checks for
decay, periodontal disease, broken restorations, oral
cancer, and other dental problems which might arise.
X-rays are taken yearly to identify hidden problems
between the teeth and with the supporting structures
of the teeth.
Areas of
periodontal concern may be treated with a procedure called
scaling and root planing, normally performed by Janet while
the area of the mouth to be treated is numb. The entire
surface of the un-attached root surface under the gumline is
smoothed and polished. Some periodontal problems require
referral to a dental specialist called a
periodontist.
Certain individuals with heartmummers and
certain artificial joints or valves are subject to certain
infections when the teeth are cleaned and during other dental
procedures. If you have any of these conditions, we will
prescribe antibiotics that you take before the procedure.
Please click here for more information from the American
Heart Association.
By taking care of your teeth,
eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly,
you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire
life. Follow these tips to keep your teeth and mouth
clean:
 Brushing Tips
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the
gums.
- Move the brush back and forth gently in short
(toothwide) strokes.
- Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth
surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- Hold the brush straight out of your mouth to clean the
inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle in and
out stroke.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your
breath.
 In general, a tooth brush head should be small (1 "
by 1/2") for easy access. It should have a long, grasp. It
should have soft, nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes
are too abrasive and can wear down teeth. A soft, rounded,
multitufted brush can clean teeth effectively. Press just
firmly enough to reach the spaces between the teeth as well as
the surface. Medium and hard bristles are not
recommended.
It might be a good idea to brush with the
radio on, since dentists generally recommend brushing 3-4
minutes-the length of an average song. Using an egg timer is
another way to measure your brushing time. Patients generally
think they're brushing longer, but most spend less than a
minute brushing. To make sure you're doing a thorough job and
not missing any spots, patients are advised to brush the full
3-4 minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly five or
more times through the day.
 Flossing Facts
- Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it
around one of your middle fingers.
- Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the
opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it
becomes dirty.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and
forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a
gentle rubbing motion.
- Never snap the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C
shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space
between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the
side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with
up and down motions.
- Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don't
forget the back side of your last tooth.
- People who have difficulty handling dental floss may
prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These
aids include special brushes and floss holders. If you use
interdental cleaners, ask our hygenists about how to use
them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.
- If in doubt, Please ask us to show you how to hold and
use the floss.
Floss removes plaque and debris that
adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth
surfaces, and controls bad breath. Floss is the single most
important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than
the toothbrush. Many people just don't spend enough time
flossing or brushing and many have never been taught to floss
or brush properly.
Please let us know how we can
help!
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