The cornerstone to a lifetime of good oral health is a proper oral hygiene regimen to include proper brushing and flossing habits as well as regular dental checkups.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting from the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a soft spot in the tooth known as a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of filling materials, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and the tooth may require root canal therapy and subsequently a crown to restore it to its natural size, shape, and contour. A crown is cap that covers a tooth, making it stronger. Avoiding unnecessary decay simply requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental check-ups, diet control, and sometimes fluoride treatments. Practicing good oral hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.
Brushing
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth and the surface of each tooth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of all of your front and back teeth. It should take you 2 minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. It is ideal to brush four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles and plaque:
- In the morning after breakfast
- After lunch or right after school
- After dinner
- At bedtime
When bushing after a meal, wait at least a half hour as the acids from the breakdown of food weaken tooth structure and brushing can further damage the teeth.
You should replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months or as soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray. Do not swallow any toothpaste. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to carefully floss and brush daily for optimal oral hygiene.
Flossing
For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque. Dental floss is a thin thread of nylon that is used to reach below the gum line and clean between teeth. It is very important to floss between your teeth every day.
There are a variety of floss and floss picks available on the market today, but used properly, any one will work well. If you are using regular floss, pull a small length from the dispenser and wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out any food particles or plaque. Unwrap clean floss from around your fingers as you go so that you have used the floss from beginning to end when you finish. If using floss picks, push the floss between your teeth and wrap around the teeth as best as possible. Floss behind all of your back teeth.
Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, let your hygienist know at your next appointment.
Sealants
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
Fluoride
Fluoride has been named one of the 50 greatest achievements in dentistry. It is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking fluoridated water, flossing, and brushing with a fluoride toothpaste significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities. Some patients may benefit from fluoride treatments if they are prone to cavities or have dry mouth.