Even though everyone knows that dental care is very important, most do not know exactly how they can maintain a high standard of oral care and hygiene. In fact, many people also have a very vague idea of what the consequences of poor dental health can be. Because most people visit dentists only when faced with an emergency, they often forget to ask the right questions about taking proper care of teeth. Some of the top queries answered:
What Is the Need for Dental Care?
Having a great smile and sparkling teeth immediately gives you increased self-confidence and interpersonal attractiveness. It not only enables you to make friends faster, become more personable with your partner but also empowers you to forge ahead faster in your workplace. Taking proper care of your teeth will also help you to avoid a great assortment of medical problems such as gum disease, cavities, loss of teeth, etc.,and the need of appropriate treatment.
How Can You Keep Teeth and Gums Healthy?
Keeping your mouth and teeth clean is such a simple affair that is a great wonder why people should be unable to maintain good oral hygiene. You should ensure that you brush your teeth in the morning and before going off to sleep using a good toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride in it. Because normal brushing is not effective in removing food debris in the interdental spaces, you need to floss at least once daily, preferably after dinner. Apart from the care you can take at home, periodic visits to the dentist to remove any plaque buildup and treating any incipient gum disease from escalating will help you to keep your teeth in good condition.
What Is Plaque and Why It Is of Concern?
Plaque is a sticky and thin film of bacteria that builds up continuously on your teeth, which if not removed in time hardens to form tartar or calculus. The bacteria present in plaque produce acids that corrode the enamel of your teeth and ultimately form a cavity. The process is boosted due to the fact that plaque is sticky and keeps the acids in constant touch with your teeth. If calculus is allowed to form, the gums can become irritated and inflamed, as a result of which, gaps form between the teeth and the gums. With the formation of these gaps the chances of infection increase.
If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to the destruction of the surrounding bone that supports the teeth as a result of which, teeth can become loose and ultimately even fall out. By using a special dye that can be applied on your teeth with a cotton bud, you can get to know if there is still some plaque left after cleaning that will require further attention.
How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented/
Prevention of gum disease is best done by regularly removing plaque buildup on your teeth and by eliminating food debris from the interdental spaces. By doing this you also avoid the formation of calculus, which being hard, can only be removed by a dentist. Even if you are regular about brushing and flossing your teeth, you should make it a point to periodically visit your dentist so that your teeth may be thoroughly cleaned, if required.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
In the initial stages, gum disease is usually painless, which is why most people do not understand that their gums are infected. With time, if left untreated you can expect the disease to manifest itself in gums that are red, inflamed and bleed when brushed. If you notice your gums bleeding you should not go easy on the brushing but continue to clean as rigorously as before so that the gums become clean and the infection goes away. In case the infection persists, it’s time to visit your dentist.
What Toothbrush Should Be Used?
There is a lot of variety in toothbrushes. Choose a small or medium-size head as that will allow you to manipulate it better inside your mouth. Choose bristles that are soft or of medium hardness to avoid injuring your gums. Choose a handle size and shape that you find comfortable to grip and use.If you have any physical disabilities, angled heads, and large handles may be especially useful.
It is proven that electric toothbrushes remove plaque better. The ones that have heads that oscillate or move in both directions are more effective. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for adults with limited mobility or children who may find the novelty an incentive to brush more regularly. Since teeth cannot be cleaned effectively with worn-out brushes, it is important that you change your toothbrush every two or three months especially if the bristles become worn or splayed.
How and When Should You Brush?
After placing a small amount of tooth paste on the head of the brush, place it against your teeth and then angle it at 45 degrees to the gum line and move it in small circular movements so as to clean every tooth surface, both the outer and the inner. The inside of the front teeth can be cleaned well with a vertical brush by making small circular movements with the tip of the head. Also, vigorously brush all the biting surfaces as well as the tongue to keep it free of tartar and ensure that your mouth and breath feels clean. It is only with regular brushing that plaque and food particles can be removed from the teeth. Left unattended, plaque will cause teeth to decay as well as result in gum disease.
What and How Much Toothpaste Should Be Used
Generally, it is perfectly okay to use the normal family toothpaste but check whether it has fluoride that is good for strong teeth because it helps to remove plaque. You can also use a variety of specialized toothpaste that control tartar buildup, prevent gum disease, contain breath fresheners, or even act to whiten your teeth or desensitize sensitive teeth. You should ask your dentist about whether you should use these products. It is not necessary to use the amount of toothpaste that is shown in advertisements; usually,just a pea-sized blob will do and for children, just a smear will be good enough. Ensure that you do not swallow any toothpaste and that you rinse your mouth properly to clean all toothpaste residues.
Conclusion
Good oral hygiene begins with keeping your mouth and teeth clean. Follow a regular regimen of brushing and flossing to stay safe from dental decay and gum disease. Do not neglect to visit the dentist regularly for optimum dental health.
Author bio: David Mercer is an assistant working in the dental office of Summerbrook. David is studying to become a dentist but finds the time to not only work part time in Aurora’s leading dental clinic but also extensively writes on dental care issues.