Tips for Good Oral Hygiene

Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good  oral hygiene every day.

 

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including where toothbrushes can't reach. Many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious sources of plaque, but there are others that you might not realize can cause harm. Starches—such as bread, crackers, and cereal—also cause acids to form. Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding. This can lead to gum disease, in which gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that fill with bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.

 

How do I brush and floss my teeth?

The American Dental Association recommends the following techniques for brushing and flossing your teeth:

Brushing

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

• Use the tip 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.

Food and Drinks for Strong Teeth

Eat cheese and vegetables and drinking water and milk will help keep your teeth healthy.  A drink of water helps wash away any sugar left in your mouth. Have a drink of water after you have eaten or drunk something sweet.  Eating healthy foods that contain vitamin C like veggies and fruits will also help you keep your gums healthy.  Some foods such as cheese and yogurt, contain a mineral called calcium and your teeth need calcium to grow strong.

If you are trying to strengthen your teeth, try eating these foods:

• Milk Cheese
• Yogurt
• Tofu
• Sardines
• Almonds
• White bread
• watercress

Other good food and drink to help your teeth:

• Carrots
• Milk
• Nuts

Food that can Harm Your Teeth
Sweets contain a lot of sugar and when you eat them, some of the sugar will stay in your mouth.  The sugar can start to eat away at your teeth and cause tooth decay. If you do eat sweets, it is important not to eat a lot throughout the day and drink water after your done to rinse your mouth.  

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Hygiene

Here are some commonly asked questions many dentist get asked everyday about dental hygiene.  If you do not see a dental question you have, please feel free to add a comment with your question and we'll do our best to answer it for your.

1.) What causes Tooth Decay?
Sugar in foods and drinks turns into an acid in your mouth.  The acid can burn a hole in your tooth which is the start of tooth decay.  Plaque is a sticky paste found on teeth.  Plaque is made by tiny living things called bacteria.  The bacteria in plaque feed on sugar that clings to teeth.  Plaque contains an acid that can make holes in teeth.

2.) What happens with a tooth decays?
If tooth decays reaches the center of a tooth, it causes a terrible pain.  The tricky thing about tooth decay is it does not hurt until it reaches the center of the tooth which is too late.  Nerves are located at the center of the tooth and they are responsible for letting you know you have a cavity.  When the decay reaches the nerves, the tooth throbs with pain and you need to see a Lone Tree dentist to treat the pain.

If tooth decay is not treated, the tooth will die and turn brown.  If a tooth is badly damaged by tooth decay, it may have to be pulled out.  If someone loses a permanent tooth, it will need to be replaced with a false tooth.