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Teeth from the Start
Overview of Preventive Dentistry
Fighting Plaque
Preventing Tooth Decay
Preventing Gum Disease (Gingivitis and
Periodontal Disease)
How to Brush Your Teeth
How to Floss Your Teeth
Choosing Dental Products
Teeth from the StartAt birth people usually have 20 primary (baby) teeth, which
often erupt through the gums as early as six months of age.
These teeth are then shed at various times throughout childhood.
By age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth have usually erupted.
Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These
differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew,
speak and smile. They also help give your face its shape and
form.
Overview of Preventive DentistryPreventive dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular
dental care and is important through out your life, whatever
your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting
your dentist regularly, you will prevent dental problems and
save time and money as well. In the process, you can save your
teeth and gums.
Fighting PlaqueBy fighting plaque you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. In
fact today, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer
because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventive
dentistry.
Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is
a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat
carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this
plaque, which in turn produces acids that 1) attack tooth
enamel, 2) cause cavities and 3) develop a hard substance called
calculus (tartar),. Uninterrupted the acid attacks can result in
tooth decay and gum disease (periodontal disease). If left
untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.
At any age you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your
teeth and gums healthy. It’s really quite easy. Simply
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from
the tooth surfaces. While you’re at it, brush the top surface of
your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental
cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria can linger between teeth where
toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and
food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. . If a
snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain
yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen.
- Schedule regular check-ups - Visit your dentist regularly
(every 6 months for most people) for professional cleanings and
oral exams.
- Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic
coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth where decay often starts. Use nightguards for grinding and
clenching, and orthotics for temporomandibular dysfunction (TMJ
or TMD).
- Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play
contact sports or extreme sports.
Preventing Tooth DecayTooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any
tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less
expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not
hurt. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular
check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay
between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out
the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.
Insert diagram.
By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth
decay.
Preventing Gum DiseaseGum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of
the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of
tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless,
you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the
dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice
(called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify
whether you have gum disease.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that
constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that
can damage the gums.
Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the
sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its
supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged,
the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe
the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of
the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and
periodontitis.
In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums
can become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the
disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by
daily brushing and flossing.
In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis,
the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously
damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be
removed by a dentist.
Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal
disease:
-
Tobacco smoking or chewing
-
System- wide diseases such as diabetes
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Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of
anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel
blockers and oral contraceptives
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Bridges that no longer fit properly
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Crooked teeth
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Fillings that have become defective
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Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see
your dentist immediately:
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Gums that bleed easily
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Red, swollen, tender gums
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Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
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Persistent bad breath or bad taste
-
Pus between your teeth and gums
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Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
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Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
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Any change in the fit of partial dentures
It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning
signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and
periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods
depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has
progressed.
Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal
disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have
to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your
teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits
for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Normal, healthy gums
Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.
Insert a diagram of normal healthy gums.
Gingivitis
Gums are red, swollen and bleed easily.
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.
The good news is that you can help prevent gum disease by taking
good care of your teeth every day and having regular dental
checkups.
How to Brush Your Teeth
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
- Move the brush in a circular motion at the neck of the teeth
and from the gums to the teeth for in-between-the-teeth areas,
at least 5 times per area.
- Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and
the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- Use the tip top of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of
the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Remember to go as far back as possible. Should you have a
gagging problem, please contact us.
Note: You should replace your toothbrush every three or four
months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn
toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently
than adults because they can wear out sooner.
How to Floss Your Teeth
- 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 used. Hold the floss tightly between your
thumbs and forefingers.
- Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of
the floss between your teeth. Move the floss toward the gum in a
gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape
against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the
gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss with medium pressure 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 backside of your last tooth.
Note: People who have difficulty handling dental floss may
prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids
include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental
cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly, to
avoid injuring your gums.
Choosing Dental ProductsWhen choosing any dental product, look for the
American Dental
Association Seal of Acceptance, an
important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness.
Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will
be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your
assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and
effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste,
toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators and
mouth rinse.
By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and
visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and
an attractive smile throughout your entire life.
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