Dental health advice
...
The health
of your teeth and gums is determined by many factors, not just how often
you brush them. Diet can have a significant effect on both teeth and
gums, as can smoking and drinking alcohol.
Certain foods, and especially
drinks, can stain teeth and leave unsightly brown marks. These points
are covered below.
Diet... Sweet foods and confections leave sugars in
the mouth on which bacteria can thrive. A by-product of the bacteria
feeding on the sugars is that they produce acid, and as many of these
bacteria live on the teeth and gums, this acid remains in close, erosive
contact with tooth enamel. Acidic foods and confections cause direct
damage to tooth enamel by eroding it slowly away. Enamel is not replaced
by the body, so once it has gone, it has gone forever. Although one of
the toughest things found in the natural world, enamel eventually
succumbs to acidic erosion and when it has been breached bacteria can
enter the cavity caused and eat away at the tooth causing decay, or
cares.
Whenever you have eaten sweet or sugary foodstuff, it is always best to
try to reduce the sugars left in the mouth, by either brushing or
rinsing with mouthwash. If this is not possible, sugar-free chewing gum
will encourage the production of saliva, nature's mouthwash, which is
slightly alkaline and hence reduces mouth acid quickly. It is best to
avoid too much sugar and babies and young children should not be given
artificially sweetened drinks or allowed to drink undiluted concentrated
fruit drinks or squashes.
Smoking...
Smoking is bad for you; but you alrerady knew that. Dental
problems that can occur amongst smokers are 'halitosis' (bad breath),
yellowing of the tooth enamel and mouth cancer. Regular visits to your
dental practitioner will benefit the smoker as early diagnosis of even
the more serious medical problems can often be made, thus resulting in
the patient being able to seek treatment earlier than would otherwise be
possible.
Drinking... Not 'drinking' but drinking alcoholic beverages over the
long term can cause soft tissue damage in the mouth, including mouth
cancer. Early diagnosis of any deterioration in the mouth can be made
during routine dental check-ups.
Cleaning and
dental hygiene... Not only is it important
how often you clean your teeth, but how you actually clean them has a
major effect on the continued health of your teeth and gums. Children,
especially, should be encouraged to follow a strict dental health regeme and shown
the correct way to effectively brush their teeth from a very early age.
Most of us brush our teeth but it is surprising how few people know the
most effective way to carry out this necessary exercise. Here are a few
guidelines...
Brush your teeth well twice a day...
This removes the film of bacteria
from the teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good
condition. Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen
the teeth and help prevent decay.
Clean between your teeth every day... Cleaning between your teeth with
floss or interdental cleaners removes bacteria and food particles from
between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. Early gum disease
can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. If you want to use
interdental cleaners, ask your dentist or hygienist how to use them
properly, to avoid injuring your gums.
Visit your dentist regularly... It is important to have regular dental
checkups, and professional cleaning by tour dentist or hygienist is
essential to prevent periodontal diseases.
The following photographs give guidance on brushing and flossing
technique but you are encouraged to ask your dentist or hygienist to
demonstrate a good brushing or flossing style if you are in any doubt.
These five photographs show how the teeth should be brushed...
1... Brush the outsides of the front teeth (incisors) holding the
toothbrush at an angle of around 45 degrees, as shown.
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2... Move on to the rear teeth (molars) still maintaining the brush at
the same angle. |
3... Special attention should be given to the backs of the teeth. Out of
sight should not be out of mind! |
4... The crowns of the teeth should be well brushed to remove debris.
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5... Finally, the rear of the front teeth should be cleaned. |
And remember... never choose a toothbrush which is too hard or with too
large a head. Ask your dentist or hygienist which toothbrush would be
most suited to you personally.
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These four photographs demonstrate a good flossing technique...
1... Pull out a length of floss. A length of around 250 to 300
millimetres is a good length.
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2... make sure you get between the rear teeth (molars) molars as well as
the front ones!
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3... Allow the floss to go beneath the gum line, ensuring any bacteria
or debris is removed from this normally inaccessible area. |
4... Special devices to hold floss securely are available from your
dentist and many pharmacies. These can make flossing easier. |
And Remember...
There are different types of dental floss available,
waxed and un-waxed, thread and tape... if you are unsure which one would
suit you best, ask your dentist or hygienist, who will be happy to
demonstrate the technique to you. Care must be taken when flossing, not
to cause injury to delicate gum tissue and it is possible, if you are
careless, to cause a slight cut to the lip if the moving thread or tape
comes into contact with it. Such injuries, however, are rare. |
Periodontitis
is a gum desease of the supporting structures of, and tissues surrounding the tooth, including the bone, gums, cementum of the roots and periodontal fibres.
What are the signs
of gum disease? If you notice any of the
following signs of gum disease, see your dentist immediately:
-
gums that bleed
when you brush your teeth
-
red, swollen or
tender gums
-
gums that have
pulled away from the teeth, leaving gaps
-
bad breath that
doesn't go away, despite brushing
-
pus between your
teeth and gums
-
loose teeth
-
a change in the
way your teeth fit together when you bite
-
a change in the
fit of partial dentures
Normal...
healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place. There are no
gaps between the tooth and the gum and the gums cover the tooth
well. |
Periodontitis... Unremoved, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums begin to recede (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums.
|
Advanced periodontitis... the gums recede farther, destroying more bone and the
periodontal ligament. Teeth (even healthy teeth) may become loose
and need to be extracted. |