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Brushing
Flossing
Eating
Check ups
Introduction
Your mouth
is constantly under attack from two serious enemies:
tooth decay and gum disease. The key culprits behind
these conditions are naturally occurring oral bacteria,
and the acids they produce. And unchecked tooth decay
leads inevitably to gum disease, which even conservative
estimates say is present in at least 80% of the
population. Gum disease, in turn, is responsible for up
to 70% of adult tooth loss. The most successful plan of
attack involves education and prevention: brush, floss,
and visit the dentist regularly so that we can help you
prevent and fight any trouble going on already. We can
identify even the earliest warning signs: red, swollen
or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing,
gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating
teeth, pus between the gum and
tooth, persistent bad breath, change in your bite,
and/or a change in the fit of partial dentures. And we
can treat it successfully, making your ongoing hygiene
efforts that much more successful.
Brushing
We do it
every day without thinking too much, but there are some
important points to remember when brushing your teeth.
Squeeze some toothpaste onto a
soft-bristled toothbrush. Your toothpaste should contain
fluoride
STEP 1:
Use short, back-and-forth brushing motions to clean the
outside and inside surfaces of the teeth, as well as the
chewing surfaces. Follow with up-and-down motions to
clean the inside surfaces of the teeth.(1)
Brush along the gum line. This is
extremely important, as gum disease starts here. Brush
gently to avoid damaging your gums.
STEP 2:
Make sure to brush your back
molars, where bacteria like to hide. .
(2)
STEP 3:
Brush your tongue to remove
bacteria that cause bad breath.
(3)
Spit out the toothpaste and rinse
your mouth with water or mouthwash.
. See below:
Flossing
Tips &
Warnings
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a
physician or other health care professional before
engaging in any activity related to health and diet.
This information is not intended as a substitute for
professional medical advice or treatment
Flossing
Contrary to popular belief,
flossing is not just a way to dislodge food
wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing reduces
cavities, gum disease and bad breath by helping to
remove the bacterial film called plaque that
forms along the gum line.
STEP 1:
Take 30 to 45 cm of floss and grasp it so that you have
about 5cm of floss taut between your hands.
STEP 2:
Slip floss between teeth and into the area between your
teeth and gums as far as it will go.
STEP 3:
Floss with 8 to 10 vertical strokes to dislodge food and
plaque.
Try to floss at least once a day. The most important
time to floss is before going to bed.
STEP 5:
Floss before or after brushing - either is fine.
Tips & Warnings
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.
You may experience some
bleeding at first. Don't worry; this is normal.
Eating
Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and
can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the
tooth) and the dentin layer of the tooth.
Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates
(sugars and starches) such as breads, cereals, milk,
soda, fruits, cakes, or lollies are left on the teeth.
Bacteria that live in the mouth digest these foods,
turning them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food
debris, and saliva combine to form plaque, which clings
to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel
surface of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth called
cavities, or caries.
Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks.
Avoid carbohydrates such as candy, pretzels and chips,
which can remain on the tooth surface. If sticky foods
are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterwards
Check ups
The
standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a
year for check-ups and cleanings. This frequency level
works well for most people, although some people with
gum disease, a genetic predisposition for plaque
build-up or cavities, or a weakened immune system might
need to visit the dentist more frequently for optimal
care.
The following oral health care activities usually take
place at the typical dental check-up visit:
Thorough oral examination of your gums and teeth.
Cleaning.
Polishing.
X-rays (if required).
Treatment recommendations.
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