Oral Hygiene Importance

www.1305dental.com – Fairfield – Shelton, Connecticut – Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life by this. The best way to prevent any cavities and any type of periodontal disease, is by daily brushing and flossing techniques.

Periodontal disease and tooth decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, which is a colorless film that sticks to the surface of the teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on the teeth, and by thorough daily brushing and flossing, these germs can be removed, which will help prevent periodontal disease.

How To Brush The Teeth

While brushing the outside surfaces of the teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where the gums meet the teeth. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that there will be any discomfort.

When done cleaning the outside surfaces of all the teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.

To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. Next clean the biting surfaces of the teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Changing the position of the brush often, is necessary to reach and clean all of the surfaces of the teeth. By watching in the mirror, make sure to clean each surface. When finished, rinse the mouth vigorously to remove any plaque that may have loosened while brushing. If any pain develops while brushing, or if you have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call our office.

How To Use Dental Floss

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing  between the teeth is a very effective way to remove plaque from all of those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help, but remember that it takes time and practice.

Start with a piece of floss, preferably the waxed variety which makes it easier, and a piece about 18″ long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.

To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place.

Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel slight resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth.

Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget the backside of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

After you are done, rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water to remove any loose plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed a little or become slightly sore.

If your gums hurt while flossing, it could be because you are doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque, your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop. It will also strengthen your gums.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after any type of dental treatment, the teeth will be sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, provided that your mouth is kept clean. If your mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, you should consult with the dentist, who may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

There are so many products on the market today that it may become confusing, and choosing between all of the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right dental care products that will work for you.

Automatic and high-tech electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of patients. Oral irrigators, such as water spraying devices, will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove any plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.

We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Rotadent and Interplak. Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes, also called interproximal toothbrushes, that can clean between your teeth. If these are not used properly, then you can actually injure the gums, so be sure to discuss proper use of these brushes with the doctor.

When used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, some fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Remember that these rinses are not recommended for children under the age of six. Tartar control toothpastes will help to reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease usually starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.

Anti-plaque rinses, which are approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Always use these in conjunction with proper brushing and flossing.

Professional Cleaning

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus, or tartar, to a minimum, but a professional cleaning every six months will remove calculus in places that your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your regular visits to our office are a very important part of your program to prevent gum disease, and to keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Nutrition

Good nutrition also plays a huge role in your overall dental health. Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, however, a balanced diet will help to boost your body’s immune system, leaving you less vulnerable to any oral disease. How often and what you eat have been found to affect your dental health.

Eating starchy foods such as crackers, bread, cookies, and candy causes the bacteria in your mouth to feed on it, and then they produce acids, which attack your teeth for up to 20 minutes or more. Foods that stick to your teeth or are slow to dissolve, will give the acids more time to work on destroying your tooth enamel.

Starchy foods:

• Crackers, Breads, Pasta, Cookies, and Candy

Sticky/slow to dissolve foods:

• Granola bars, Chewy fruit snacks, Dried fruit, and Hard candy

Sticky and starchy foods will create less acid when eaten as part of a meal.  Saliva production increases at mealtimes, and will rinse away food particles, and neutralize harmful acids.

Foods such as nuts, cheese, onions, and some teas have been shown to slow the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth

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Tongue Piercings Harbor More Germs

www.1305Dental.com – Posted to Aetna.com’s website on November 25, 2009, Here is a great bit of information on Tongue Piercings. If you need further information please call 203-255-5999, the office of Dr. Mariana Conant

By Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH – Tongue piercing isn’t new; it’s been around for hundreds of years. But its increasing popularity among younger people has concerned some dentists. A recent small study analyzed the types of bacteria that grow around tongue piercings.

The study examined 12 people. The researchers found that all of the pierced areas had high levels of bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Levels were much higher than in people without tongue piercings.

Piercings had been in place between two and eight years. People with older piercings had even higher levels of bacteria than people with newer piercings. Heavy smokers had even higher levels of periodontal bacteria.

Researchers from the University of Goettingen, Germany, did the study.

Tongue piercing can lead to swelling, scarring, infection and periodontal disease. More rarely, people suffer from nerve damage. In some people, the gums inside the front of the mouth can recede from the repeated pressure of the tongue jewelry. Dentists also suggest that some crowns and fillings could be damaged by tongue jewelry.

The researchers suggest that people with tongue piercings clean their tongues as part of their daily hygiene routine. Tongue scrapers can be purchased in most pharmacies. The tongue jewelry should be disinfected before use. Dentists can write prescriptions for a disinfectant called chlorhexidine.

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