Healthy Teeth & Gums
*First dental visit: scheduled as early as 18 months unless a problem is suspected
*Baby teeth: guide permanent teeth into proper alignment, therefore, active decay should be treated
*Regular check-ups & cleanings: should be scheduled to maintain dental health & to prevent gum disease
*X-rays: are necessary to detect decay between teeth, check for bone loss, identify an abscess, locate un-erupted teeth & evaluate the jaw joint
*Cavities/dental problems: should be taken care of as soon as possible; small problems are easier & less expensive to repair, putting off treatment makes the tooth more difficult to restore
*Bleeding gums: can be an early indicator of gum disease
*Gum disease: this is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults
*Fillings: are necessary to restore teeth with active decay; they seldom fall out on their own; they are usually weakened by decay around/underneath
Nutrition Facts
*Nutritionally balanced meals are good for your general health & your teeth
*Foods that contain sugar can contribute to the development of tooth decay
*The longer foods/drinks containing sugar stay in the mouth, is more damaging than the amount of sugar consumed at one time. For example: it is better to eat 3 pieces of candy in 10 minutes than to suck on a piece of hard candy for 30 minutes
*Choose sugarfree gum, mints & soft drinks when possible
*When snacking between meals, choose nutritional foods like nuts, popcorn & raw vegetables
*The following formula demonstrates how sugar causes tooth decay:
Plaque + Sugar=Acid & Acid +Tooth Enamel=Tooth decay
Tooth Brushing
*Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice daily to remove plaque: use a soft bristle brush
*Plaque is the filmy, white coating that accumulates on the teeth
*Brush the outer, inner & chewing surfaces of each tooth
*Brush in a gentle, circular motion
*To reduce/eliminate bad breath, brush the top surface of the tongue
Flossing
*Flossing removes plaque between your tooth & gum where the brush cannot reach
*Floss at least once daily
*Holding the floss tightly, curve the floss into the shape of the letter “C” & slide the floss up & down between the tooth & gum, gently scraping the side of the tooth: repeat on both sides of the tooth
*Be careful not to snap the floss between your teeth
*Flossing can be difficult to learn; if you have problems ask your hygienist or dentist for assistance
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
*Regular dental check-ups, cleanings & good home care can prevent gum disease
*If plaque is not effectively removed with brushing & flossing, it will cause the gums to bleed: a condition called gingivitis
*As plaque & calculus (tartar) build up, the gum & bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw will be destroyed
*Periodontal disease can be treated to prevent further bone loss & tooth loss
*If left untreated, periodontal disease can progress causing extensive damage to both the gum & bone which may result in tooth loss
Tooth Decay (Cavity)
*The dentist checks for decay, usually with the help of x-rays
*Decay can develop on any surface of any tooth
*Acid from plaque dissolves enamel causing a cavity
*Decay grows: it is easier & less expensive to treat when small
*Decay may/may not cause discomfort: even if it doesn’t hurt the tooth is deteriorating
*Decay is treated by the dentist cleaning out the decay & placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth
*If left untreated, decay can progress into the pulp (nerve portion of the tooth) causing an infection: the resulting infection can cause the tooth to abscess
*When a tooth develops an abscess, root canal treatment is needed to save the tooth
