Tips for Healthy Teeth
1. Clean your teeth
after eating by toothbrush and dental floss. Use a correct
toothbrush, and brush and floss correctly.
2. Visit the dentist regularly. Periodontal or gum diseases are
common in adults and in older people. The dentist can remove
plaque from teeth, reducing the number of bacteria - a key to
helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
3. If you experience the following, then you have chances of a
periodontal disease:
• Gums bleeding during brushing
• Red and/or swollen gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, Pus between the
teeth and gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth.
4. Don't ignore gums that bleed when you brush or floss or
changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
5. Ask your dentist about cosmetic options for improving the
appearance of teeth that are stained or chipped.
6. Don't use tobacco products; they can increase your risk of
gum diseases and cancer of the mouth and throat.
7. Don't chew on hard objects that could crack a tooth.
8. Wear a mouth guard when playing active sports.
9. Eat a balanced diet for good overall health, selecting a
variety of foods from the five main food groups (bread, cereals,
and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry,
fish and alternatives; milk, cheese, and yogurt), and limit
snacks.
10. Eating sweetened cereals dry is bad for teeth, always add
milk.
11. Drinking frequent cups of tea or coffee with sugar added
will increase the risk of teeth decay.
12. When less saliva is available on very hot days, one should
not consume foods containing sugars that stick in the teeth.
13. Chewable vitamin C tablets with or without sugar are acidic
and are a hazard for not only children's teeth but also to
adult's teeth. Do not use lemon juice for whitening because
vitamin C will cause the teeth to lose calcium damaging teeth
quicker than anything else.
Tips for Babies teeth
1. Don't give babies a bottle containing milk, juice or a
formula in bed, this is a not good for their teeth. The sugars
from milk or juice around the mouth for long periods can lead to
decay in a baby's little teeth.
2. Prolonged breast feeding with small feeds every few minutes
can also lead to tooth decay.
3. When babies get teeth, it is important to give them foods to
chew. Young children need help to clean their teeth properly.
How To Brush
Your Teeth
1. Always use a
soft toothbrush for thorough but gentle cleaning. After each
meal, or at least twice a day.
2. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle. Begin by brushing the
outside of the front teeth. Use a gentle back -and-forth motion.
3. Next, brush the outside back teeth, steering along the gum
line.
4. Inside back teeth: Use short angled brush strokes.
5. Inside front teeth: title the brush vertically; use an
up-and-down motion.
6. Chewing surfaces: hold the brush flat. Use a gentle scrubbing
motion.
7. Important: always replace your old toothbrush at least every
3-4 months
TOOTHBRUSH
CHOICE
When choosing a
toothbrush you consider the following factors;
Size of the head
:
Toothbrushes with small heads are better as they can reach
difficult to clean areas near the back of the mouth and between
the tongue and lower molar teeth.
Shape of the
bristles :
Some toothbrushes have bristles that stick out in all
directions, whether you like them is a matter of personal
preference. The extra bristles may just get in the way if you
use the correct tooth brushing technique. For those with less
dexterity the brushes with the extra bristles may be an
advantage but generally should be avoided.
Changing your
toothbrush :
After three months of use a toothbrushes bristles will start to
wear and not clean as efficiently. Some brands of toothbrush
have colored indicators which fade with use. Once the color bar
is not visible the toothbrush should be changed.
TOOTHPASTE
CHOICE
Toothpastes have many ingredients, which help to clean and
maintain our mouths in a healthy condition. Several ingredients
are important and are outlined below. When buying toothpaste you
can check which the ingredients on the side of the tube/packet.
Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel
which covers the teeth. Today, most toothpastes contain fluoride
due to its ability to help reduce tooth decay. Children’s
toothpaste has less fluoride in it as at high levels fluoride
may interfere with the formation of the adult teeth which are
still growing inside the gums.
Strontium
chloride
Hot and cold sensitivity may be reduced using toothpaste that
contains sodium or potassium chloride. These ingredients act by
blocking up the open dentine tubules which have acted as
communication channels with the nerve chamber.
Triclosan
This is an antibacterial agent, which is added to some
toothpastes. Clinical studies have shown that this agent may
reduce the levels of gum inflammation.
FLOSSING
Wrap dental floss around the middle fingers and gently ease it
between the teeth with the aid of the forefingers and thumb.
To remove plaque, scrape the sides of the teeth gently, without
injuring the gums.
How to Floss
1. Wind 18" of floss around your two middle fingers.
2. Gently guide the floss between teeth.
3. To remove plaque and debris, gently move the floss up and
down against the tooth.
4. As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss
each time.
GUM MASSAGE
Gum Massage is necessary because it increases the blood supply
in the gums which in turn make them firm & healthy. It should be
done gently with your index finger in circular motion.
CLEANING YOUR
TONGUE
This is the most important but the most neglected Daily Dental
Care activity. Cleaning the tongue is essential because a thin
coating of food particles get deported on the surface, which
results in bacterial growth. If not cleaned daily, it leads to
bad breath.
The tongue can be
cleaned by the tongue cleaner available in the market or by the
brush itself.
SOMETHING ABOUT
SWEETS
Tooth decay can easily be avoided if your sugar intake is
controlled correctly. Sugary food should ideally be only eaten
with the main meals as snacking greatly increases the time of
acid attack in our mouths. Drinking lots of cups’ of tea with
sugar is also a risk, try and reduce the amount or try
artificial sweeteners. Certain foods may also be erosive; this
means that they are very acidic. This includes things like Coke
or lemon.
When you eat sweets or other sugary food the bacteria in our
mouths produce acid which then dissolves our teeth. These
bacteria are always in our mouth, even after tooth brushing. The
worst time to eat sweets is just before bedtime as the amount of
saliva we produce is decreased during sleep. Therefore the
effects of saliva which protects the teeth would be decreased.
Avoid sticky
toffee: Sweets that are very sticky cause a bigger problem
because they stick between the teeth and may stay there for an
extended time supplying the bacteria with sugar
Eat a lot at one
time: Mums won't like this, but if you eat sweets you should eat
them quickly and all at once. This reduces the time that sugar
is present in the mouth.
Bad Breath
Bad breath, or
halitosis, can be caused by many things. It may be the result of
odor-causing foods, tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease,
continued mouth dryness, use of tobacco products, sinus or
respiratory infections, some medical disorders, inadequate oral
hygiene or some medications. Your dentist can help identify the
cause and, if it's due to an oral condition, can develop a
treatment plan to eliminate this common source of embarrassment.
Hygiene-related
causes for bad breath: What you eat affects the air you exhale.
Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to
objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the
bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is
expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the
odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the
food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent
eating.
If you do not brush
and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth,
collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that
collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums
can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Dentures that are not
cleaned properly can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food
particles.
Diseases-related
causes for bad breath: One of the warning signs of periodontal
(gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the
mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky,
colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The
bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced
stage of the disease, that gums, bone and other structures that
support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups,
your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early.
Bad breath is also
caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of
saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and
remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by
various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously
breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your
dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva, or suggest using
sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.
Tobacco products
cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce one's ability to taste
foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to
suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater risk for
developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for
tips on kicking the habit.
Bad breath may be
the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the
respiratory tract (nose, throat windpipe, lungs), chronic
sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes,
gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your
dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be
referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the
cause of bad breath.
Caring for your
smile: Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral
health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular
dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you
think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you
eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications
may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let your dentist know
if you've had any surgery or illness since your last
appointment.
Brush twice a day
with a fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque.
Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental
cleaner to clean between teeth. If you wear removable dentures,
take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing
them the next morning.
Mouthwashes are
generally cosmetic and do not have a long lasting effect on bad
breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide
unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help
in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a
special antimicrobial mouth rinse. A fluoride mouth rinse, used
along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.
Look for products that carry the American Dental Association
Seal of Acceptance. Products that display the seal have
undergone strict testing for safety and effectiveness
Tandon Dental Clinic
5-Jha-4, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur - 302004
Tel: +91-141-2651485, 2653233 Mobile: +91-9829065148
Clinic timings : 1600 hrs to 2000 hrs IST (+5.30 GMT)
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