Contrary to popular belief, flossing isn't just a way to dislodge food wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing reduces cavities, gum disease & bad breath by removing the bacterial film called plaque that forms along the gum line.
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1. Take 12 to 18 inches of floss & grasp it so that you have a couple inches of floss taut between your hands.
2. Slip floss between teeth & into the area between your teeth & gums as far as it will go.
3. Floss with 8 to 10 vertical strokes to dislodge food & plaque.
4. Try to floss at least once a day especially before bed-time.
Remember to floss all your teeth, including behind your rearmost molars.
Preloaded dental floss on disposable plastic handles is available for people with limited finger dexterity. This works as well as conventional floss does
We do it every day without thinking too much, but there are some important points to remember.
1. Squeeze some toothpaste- containing fluoride & bearing the American Dental Association (ADA) seal- onto a soft-bristled toothbrush.
2. Use short, back-&-forth brushing motions to clean the outside & inside surfaces of the teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces. Follow with up-&-down motions to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth.
3. Brush along the gum line. This is extremely important, as gum disease starts here. Brush gently to avoid damaging your gums.
4. Make sure to brush your back molars, where bacteria like to hide.
5. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria that cause bad breath.
6. Spit out the toothpaste & rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.
7. Floss at least once a day, since most adult cavities occur between teeth. The most important time to floss is before going to bed. Guide the floss between the teeth & use it to gently rub the side of each tooth.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or any other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health & diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
Do people turn away when you talk to them? Do you seem to be offered an excessive amount of mints? The main cause of bad breath (halitosis) is a buildup of food particles in the mouth & the bacteria that result.
1. Visit your dentist every six months for checkups to keep your mouth free of plaque buildup & other problems that may lead to bad breath.
2. Watch your consumption of foods such as alcohol, coffee (both caffeinated & decaffeinated), dense proteins (such as those found in dairy & meat products), garlic & onions, & sugars.
3. Try to breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth leads to a dry mouth, which is a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.
4. Keep a regular log of your eating habits & medications, as these can cause bad breath. Share the log with your dentist.
5. Brush your teeth & tongue twice a day to remove food particles & plaque. Floss once a day, preferably in the evening after you eat.
6. Use a fluoride mouth rinse with antiseptic ingredients. This helps to protect your teeth, & the flavor masks odor problems.
7. Consider internal breath fresheners such as over-the-counter pills you take before or after a meal to aid the prevention of malodorous breath or go the natural route & munch on some parsley after a meal.
Keep mints & gum handy (or better yet, a toothbrush & toothpaste) for meals that include ingredients such as garlic & onions.
If bad breath persists, check with your dentist. It might be a warning sign of other health problems.
You'll come across a variety of toothbrushes - tapered heads, boxy heads, angled heads, neon handles, bending rubber handles, handles with your kid's favorite cartoon character, etc. How to choose what's best for you?
1. Bristles are the most important consideration - soft nylon bristles, which last long don’t hurt gums even after vigorous brushing.
2. Select a brush head small enough to access hard-to-reach areas.
3. There is no evidence that electronic toothbrushes work more effectively than conventional ones. However, people who are handicapped or who wear braces may prefer them.
4. Replace your toothbrush once every three months or whenever it becomes worn.
Change your toothbrush after recovering from an infection during which bacteria in your mouth & saliva might have transferred to your toothbrush.
1. Determine how accessible the dentist is.
2. Make sure that the office is clean. Your dentist should wear gloves, mask & gown. Enquire about instrument sterilization procedures.
3. Look for pleasant, respectful interactions between dentist & staff.
4. Consult with the dentist about your dental history & problems, & decide whether you like the way he or she explains preventive measures & treatments. Do you feel comfortable sharing concerns?
5. Ask about payment & insurance plans. Discuss these before treatment.
6. Find out whether your dentist provides a way for you to receive emergency, after-hours care.
Be sure your dentist is a member of the American Dental Association.
Help your children to avoid tooth decay by heeding these guidelines, which follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association.
1. Take your children to the dentist regularly, starting at age one.
2. Get your kids into the habit of brushing twice a day.
3. Ask your dentist to demonstrate the flossing procedure to your child.
4. Inquire about the use of sealants, which can be painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth for protection against plaque.
5. Have your children wear mouth protectors to protect against injuries while they play rough sports.
6. Avoid giving your kids sugary or starchy snacks.
Give your children soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrushes.
Replace a child's toothbrush every four months.
Follow these steps to keep your teeth clean & healthy.
1. Make it a habit to brush your teeth after eating, using a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles.
2. Use a fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay & repair tooth enamel.
3. Buy a new toothbrush every 3 or 4 months. Bacteria can grow on toothbrushes, & the bristles wear down & become ineffective.
4. Brush your tongue to freshen your breath & remove bacteria, or use a tongue cleaner, available in some health food stores.
5. Use dental floss & a fluoride rinse after brushing your teeth.
6. Try an herbal rinse that contains goldenseal, Echinacea or tea tree oil to prevent & heal inflamed gums & kill bacteria.
Get regular dental exams & cleanings. Choose a toothbrush that fits easily into your mouth & can reach into the corners.
Tobacco, coffee, cavities, aging & drugs can stain teeth. Treatment for discolored teeth depends on the magnitude of the stain
1. Brush & floss regularly to reduce or prevent stains.
2. Though heavily advertised, whitening toothpastes only partially whiten teeth & don't provide a complete remedy. Make sure the toothpaste has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval & has been clinically proved to whiten teeth effectively. Very few whitening toothpastes have undergone any type of clinical trial & ones that are too abrasive can damage teeth or make them very sensitive.
3. Get regular dental cleanings, which remove many food & tobacco stains. No amount of cleaning will remove the severe staining left by tetracycline or systemic disease because these pigments lie inside the tooth; you'll have to take more aggressive measures against these.
4. Think about getting veneers, which are custom-made shells bonded to the teeth with resins. This often requires removing a small amount of tooth structure & is the most invasive and expensive treatment option.
No bleaching method can permanently whiten teeth, & all require repeated treatments especially if the factor that caused staining still exists. All of the bleaching mechanisms described here can cause tooth sensitivity, usually temporary (lasting up to several weeks). Never try scrape off stains with your fingernails or other sharp objects.
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