You have so many good reasons to keep your family’s teeth and gums healthy. Their sparkling smiles. Being able to chew for good nutrition. Avoiding toothaches and discomfort. And new research suggests that gum disease can lead to other problems in the body, including increased risk of heart disease.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep teeth strong and healthy from childhood to old age. Here’s how:
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Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
Want a brighter smile? When it comes to tooth whitening, you've got two options: in-office-based teeth bleaching, or at-home care. Both tooth whitening options use peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide. In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become. There are pros and cons to each option, but before you try at-home tooth bleaching kits, be sure to talk...
Read the Teeth Whitening and Bleaching article > >
1. Start children early. Despite great strides in decay prevention, one in four young children develops signs of tooth decay before they start school. Half of all children between the ages of 12 and 15 have cavities. “Dental care should begin as soon as a child’s first tooth appears, usually around six months,” Caryn Solie, RDH, president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, tells WebMD. “Teeth can be wiped with a clean, damp cloth or a very soft brush. At about age 2, you can let kids try brushing for themselves -- although it’s important to supervise.”
2. Seal off trouble. Permanent molars come in around age 6. Thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth can prevent decay in the pits and fissures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants can significantly reduce caries. Yet only one in three U.S. kids receives dental sealants. Talk to your dental professional.
3. Use enough -- but not too much -- fluoride. The single biggest advance in oral health has been fluoride, which strengthens enamel, making it less likely to decay. Three out of four Americans drink water that is fluoridated. If your water isn’t fluoridated, talk to your dental professional, who may suggest putting a fluoride application on your teeth. Many toothpastes and mouth rinses also contain fluoride. Fluoride should be used sparingly in young children -- no more than a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush. Too much can cause white spots on teeth.
4. Brush twice a day and floss daily. Gum disease and tooth decay remain big problems -- and not just for older people. Three-fourths of teenagers have gums that bleed, according to the ADHA. Along with the basic advice, remember:
- Toothbrushes should be changed 3 to 4 times a year.
- Teenagers with braces may need to use special toothbrushes and other oral hygiene tools to brush their teeth. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist.
- Older people with arthritis or other problems may have trouble holding a toothbrush or using floss. Some people find it easier to use an electric toothbrush. Others simply put a bicycle grip or foam tube over the handle of a regular toothbrush to make it easier to hold.
5. Rinse or chew gum after meals. In addition to brushing and flossing, rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse can help prevent decay and gum problems. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can also protect by increasing saliva flow, which naturally washes bacteria away and neutralizes acid.
6.Block blows to teeth. Sports and recreational activities build healthy bodies, but they can pose a threat to teeth. Most school teams now require children to wear mouth guards. But remember: unsupervised recreational activities like skate-boarding and roller-blading can also result in injuries. Your dentist can make a custom-fitted mouth guard. Another option: buy a mouth guard at a sporting goods store that can be softened using hot water to form fit your mouth.
7. Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Tobacco stains teeth and significantly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. If you smoke or use chewing tobacco, consider quitting. Counsel your kids not to start.
8. Eat smart. At every age, a healthy diet is essential to healthy teeth and gums. A well-balanced diet of whole foods -- including grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products -- will provide all the nutrients you need. Some researchers believe that omega-3 fats, the kind found in fish, may also reduce inflammation, thereby lowering risk of gum disease, says Anthony M. Iacopino, DMD, PhD, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry.
9. Avoid sugary foods. When bacteria in the mouth break down simple sugars, they produce acids that can erode tooth enamel, opening the door to decay. “Sugary drinks, including soft drinks and fruit drinks, pose a special threat because people tend to sip them, raising acid levels over a long period of time,” says Steven E. Schonfeld, DDS, PhD, a dentist in private practice and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “Carbonated drinks may make matters worse, since carbonation also increases acidity.” Sticky candies are another culprit, because they linger on teeth surfaces.
10. Make an appointment. Most experts recommend a dental check-up every 6 months -- more often if you have problems like gum disease. During a routine exam, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque build-up that you can’t brush or floss away and look for signs of decay. A regular dental exam also spots:
- Early signs of oral cancer. Nine out of 10 cases of oral cancer can be treated if found early enough. Undetected, oral cancer can spread to other parts of the body and become harder to treat.
- Wear and tear from tooth grinding. Called bruxism, teeth grinding may be caused by stress or anxiety. Over time, it can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. If your teeth show signs of bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard worn at night to prevent grinding.
- Signs of gum disease. Gum disease, also called gingivitis or periodontitis, is the leading cause of tooth loss in older people. “Unfortunately, by the time most people notice any of the warning signs of periodontitis, it’s too late to reverse the damage,” says Sam Low, DDS, professor of periodontology at the University of Florida and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. Periodically, your dental professional should examine your gums for signs of trouble.
- Interactions with medications. Older patients, especially those on multiple medications, are at risk of dry mouth, or xerostomia. Reduced saliva flow increases the risk of decay and gum problems. As many as 800 different drugs cause dry mouth as a side effect, says Iacopino, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry. “Always tell your dental professional about any medications you take,” he says. A change in prescriptions may help alleviate the problem. Saliva-like oral mouthwashes are also available.
“Almost all tooth decay and most gum disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene,” says Solie. “We’re talking about taking a few minutes each day to brush and floss. That’s not a lot in return for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.”
Dental caries is the medical term for tooth decay or cavities. It is caused by specific types of bacteria. They produce acid that destroys the tooth's enamel and the layer under it, the dentin.
Many different types of bacteria normally live in the human mouth. They build up on the teeth in a sticky film called plaque. This plaque also contains saliva, bits of food and other natural substances. It forms most easily in certain places. These include:
- Cracks, pits or grooves in the back teeth
- Between teeth
- Around dental fillings or bridgework
- Near the gum line
Some of the plaque bacteria turn sugar and carbohydrates (starches) in the foods we eat into acids. The acids dissolve minerals in the hard enamel that covers the tooth's crown (the part you can see). The enamel erodes or develops pits. They are too small to see at first. But they get larger over time.
Acid also can seep through pores in the enamel. This is how decay begins in the softer dentin layer, the main body of the tooth. As the dentin breaks down, the enamel over it can collapse, forming a cavity.
If the cavity is not fixed, bacteria will get into the tooth's inner layer. This contains the soft pulp and sensitive nerve fibers.
Tooth roots exposed by receding gums also can develop decay. The root's outer layer, cementum, is not as thick as enamel. Acids from plaque bacteria can dissolve it rapidly.
No one really knows what causes the pain people get with cavities that have not entered the pulp. Theories include:
- Inflammation caused by bacteria
- Exposure of the root surface
- Imbalance of fluid levels in tiny openings called tubules inside the dentin
Symptoms
Early caries may not have any symptoms. Later, when the decay has eaten through the enamel, the teeth may be sensitive to sweet, hot or cold foods or drinks.
We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
There are several causes of dry mouth, also called xerostomia. These include:
- Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.
- Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.
- Side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced.
- Nerve damage . Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.
- Dehydration . Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.
- Surgical removal of the salivary glands.
- Lifestyle. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and aggravate dry mouth. Continuously breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to the problem.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?
Common symptoms of dry mouth include:
- A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
- Frequent thirst
- Sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips
- A dry feeling in the throat
- A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue
- A dry, red, raw tongue
- Problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing, and swallowing
- Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat
- Bad breath
Why Is Dry Mouth a Problem?
Besides causing the aggravating symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth also increases a person's risk of gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay, and mouth infections, such as thrush.
Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.
How Is Dry Mouth Treated?
If you think your dry mouth is caused by certain medication you are taking, talk to your doctor. He or she may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different drug that doesn't cause dry mouth.
In addition, an oral rinse to restore mouth moisture may be prescribed. If that doesn't help a medication that stimulates saliva production, called Salagen, may be prescribed.
Other steps you can take that may help improve saliva flow include:
- Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum
- Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
- Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoridetoothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your dentist regularly
- Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible
- Using a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air
- Using an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute
See How Dry Mouth Damages Tooth Enamel
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Keep your Mouth and surroundings clean & safe
We must take care of your mouth and the surroundings to have a healthy life. It is very important to note that if you don’t take care, many dangerous situations related to mouth and the surroundings may arise. Now the question is how to protect your mouth & gums. Remember that for a good health mouth & gums should always be clean. The childhood itself a person should be given training to clean the mouth as well as gums. Mouth & gums are essential parts of a human body. Below are the points helps us to learn that how we can protect our mouth & gums. So follow them for a better life.
Mouth Wash Liquids
Do not user any type of Mouth wash or the cheap ones. Only use the mouth wash prescript by your family doctor. For more information contact your nearby dentist only. Ok Now the use of a mouth wash, Mo0uth wash removes plaque formation between your teeths and keep your teeth healthy and it does not smell.
Use brush and tongue cleaner
Most of you know how important to use a brush & a tongue cleaner. You should know that brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue is a very important part of your life which keeps your teeth healthy and strong. Most people brush once a day and clean their tongue once a day but it is recommended to brush and clean your tongue twice a day. Even it is better if you do it after every meal , I am not saying to do it always whole day but twice a day is good idea.
Clean Drinking Water
For a long lasting teeth and mouth it is very important that you take care of the drinking water you use. Because drinking water plays an important role in our life. Ok now the question is how ,just make a note that drinking plenty of water helps our body to wash away the left over food particles from our mouth corners and also the throat. There are so many advantages of drinking water but we will discuss only about our mouth. So it helps to reduce conditions of certain bacteria which cause bad breath in our mouth. Also it is very interesting to note that if you drink plenty of water will help in saliva stimulation too.
Gargle your mouth with Water
Do not forget to gargle your mouth with water after each and every meal. You need to gargle your mouth because gargling water helps to wash away the food particles that stuck in our teeth and mouth. In this way the bad foul smell of the mouth is reduced.
Eat nutritious food
It is recommended to have a nutritious diet for maintaining the proper health of teeth as well as mouth. The points mentioned above should be followed in our daily life. Also apart fromthe above steps there are some other points which we should avoid for the proper health of gum and mouth.
Here are they
- Do not use excessive Garlic
- garlic is used as a spice in many dishes and plays a important role in our daily food. But using excessive garlic causes bad breath and mouth smell. So avoid taking excessive garlic.
- Do not Smoke
- As we all know smoking causes serious health problems , it also creates bad smell of mouth, Nicotine get stick to your teeth to make it yellow.
- Do not eat more sweets
- Sweet, who don’t love to eat sweets, but eating excessive sweet can have bad effect to your mouth and sugar level also increases. It get stick in corners of mouth as well as teeth.
- Do not keep your mouth Dry
- Dry mouth often contributes bad breath. This is due to the presence of bacteria and fungus in our mouth, keeping your mouth wet cause them not to smell. So to avoid dry mouth drink plenty of water.
Lets Know how to Brush your teeth properly
knowing how to brush your teeth properly is very important to prevent conditions such as gingivitis and tooth decay. Incorrect brushing technique can also lead to tooth abrasion, a condition in which the surface of the tooth is worn away. The number one cause of tooth abrasion is from a toothbrush. The delicate gum tissue is also at risk for damage from the toothbrush bristles, causing tooth sensitivity from exposed root surfaces. Follow these instructions, and learn how to brush your teeth properly.
This technique is also recommended when assisting a child or someone who needs help with their brushing.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Two Minutes
Here's How:
- Apply a thin strip of toothpaste on your premoistened toothbrush.
- Start with the upper left molars (back teeth) concentrating on the front surface of the tooth; you will be working in a clockwise direction from there. The average toothbrush head will cover 2 to 3 teeth at a time.
- Hold the toothbrush parallel to your teeth, and point the bristles in the direction of the tissue, so they are resting slightly below the gumline. Apply slight pressure to the bristles, so they are slightly bent.
- Gently move the brush in a circular motion for approximately 20 brush strokes, or roughly 10 seconds.
- When brush strokes are complete, roll the bristles away from the gum tissue in a sweeping motion.
- Continue the above steps until all of the front surfaces of the top and bottom teeth have been cleaned.
- Moving on to the inside surfaces of the teeth, repeat steps 2 to 5 for the upper and lower premolars and molars.
- When you are ready to clean the inside surface of the front teeth, known as the lingual surface, take the tip of the toothbrush, and in a flicking motion, direct the toothbrush from the gumline down. Do this 2 to 3 times.
- Follow step 8 for the inside of the lower front teeth, but this time the flick will be directed up, again, away from the gumline. Do this 2 to 3 times.
- Brush the biting surface of the upper and lower premolars and molars.
- Gently brush your tongue and the inside of your cheeks.
- Finish by rinsing with water or mouthwash.
Sources:
The American Dental Association - Oral Health Topics. "Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums."
Tips:
Always brush twice a day, preferably first thing in the morning and again right before you go to sleep. Try not to eat or drink anything once you have brushed in the evening.
When brushing someone else's teeth, try to stand behind them so you are looking down on their mouth. This will allow easier access to the mouth and a better view of their teeth. If they are taller than you, have them sit in a chair.
Replace your toothbrush every three months or when you notice the bristles starting to bend and look worn out. Always replace your toothbrush after you recover from a cold or the flu.
The above steps are suitable for use with an electric toothbrush, although the final roll may be eliminated if using a round oscillating brush head.
When brushing the inside surfaces of the upper and lower teeth (steps 8 and 9), try to avoid standing too close to your mirror, as the flick will usually cause some spray.
What You Need
- An extra soft or soft bristled manual toothbrush.
- Your choice of toothpaste. One that contains fluoride is preferred.
- Water or mouth rinse.
