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Brushing and Flossing |
Many people do not brush properly or long enough (2 minutes
of brushing is recommended). Brushing alone, however,
cannot get the food or plague (bacteria) from under your
gums or between your teeth.
Brushing and flossing regularly (at least 2 times per
day) helps remove plague which is not only important to prevent
gum disease and cavities, but also to reduce bad breath. If
you are unable to brush after a meal, just rinse with some
water or mouthwash such as Listerine.
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Cavities |
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What Causes Cavities?
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Don’t be grossed out, this
is natural. When you eat, the bacteria change the sugar in
foods into acid. This acid slowly weakens the enamel of your
teeth. Eventually the enamel becomes so weak it falls apart
and forms a cavity. If a dentist does not remove the decay
it can grow to be very large and painful! Sounds gross huh?!
Good news is that cavities are 100% preventable! Did you
know that saliva helps prevent cavities? Every time you eat
the saliva helps clean the acid away – but it can take up to
an hour. So don’t eat or drink sugar too often and brush and
floss frequently to help keep your mouth clean.
Preventing Cavities
Some tips to remember (and live by!):
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss.
- Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
- Speak with your dentist about the use of dental sealants
(a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing
surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings
and oral examination.
- Limit the number of times you eat and drink
sugar-containing items between meals. Regular soda drinking
is a common cause of cavities in teenagers. If you do drink
soda, drink it at meal times only. Do not sip on a can and
make it last ALL evening. Find healthy snacks that do not
contain sugar. Fresh fruit and vegetables, pretzels, cheese,
and crackers are all great for your teeth and body.
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Gum Disease |
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Severe gum disease (periodontal disease) will cause the bone
(which surrounds teeth and helps hold them in) and gums to
shrink and as you get older your teeth will become loose and
possibly fall out. The good news is that this condition is
100% preventable. We can all prevent gum disease. You need
to:
- Brush with fluoride containing toothpaste.
- Floss regularly.
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Bad Breath |
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Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to Halitosis (bad
breath). Food that is not removed with brushing can breed
odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Brushing your tongue is
as important as brushing your teeth. It can help to reduce
bad breath by removing bacteria that naturally lives on the
tongue.
Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can also cause
bad breath. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream,
it is transferred to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only cover up the odor
temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the
food (ADA, 2004).
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Visiting the Dentist |
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If you visit the dentist regularly the dentist can help
prevent cavities by applying special fluoride treatments and
sealants on your back molar teeth. This will mean fewer
fillings! What makes your visits to the dentist even easier
(and more pain-free), is if you continue to take care of
your teeth and gums in between visits. This cuts down on the
intensity of your cleanings (the dreadful scraping noise is
a real killer) and eliminates the need to return to the
office for a filling. Routine cleanings and exams also help
to identify dental cavities early on so that if you do need
one filled it will be a lot easier! |
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Stained Teeth (Teeth Whitening) |
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Why Are My Teeth This Color?
The color of teeth is influenced by many different factors.
Some people are just born with naturally darker teeth or
have been exposed to an excess of the antibiotic
“tetracycline” or fluoride while young. In addition, what
and how we eat, smoking, and age are a few examples of other
ways our teeth can change color. For years now, we have
sought to improve the color of our teeth by trying to
“whiten” our smiles. People can go to their dentist’s office
and have their dentist try a variety of techniques to affect
a whiter smile.
Ways to “Whiten”
- Most dentists can create a whitening tray (looks like a
mouth-guard) made to fit snuggly over a patient’s teeth. The
whitening gel is placed in this tray and worn for a certain
period of time.
- People can also buy “whitening agents”
for use at home from a drugstore or
supermarket. These include chewing gums, toothpastes, mouth
rinses and other bleaching agents.
Just how well these products help to whiten teeth depends
on the product and can vary from person to person. Talking
to with a dentist is a very good way to help make a more
informed decision. Although these techniques are relatively
safe, there are some common side effects that have been
reported including increased sensitivity of teeth and
soreness of gums. Most often these are of minimal discomfort
and are transient. |