|
 What is plaque?
Plaque is a sticky layer of material
containing bacteria that
accumulates on teeth, including where toothbrushes can’t reach. Many
of the foods you eat cause the
bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious
sources of plaque, but there are others
that you might not realize can cause harm.
Starches—such as bread, crackers, and cereal—also
cause acids to form. Plaque also
produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive,
and susceptible to
bleeding. This can lead to gum disease, in which gums pull away from the teeth and form
pockets
that fill with bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be
destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.
How can I get rid of
plaque?
The best way to remove plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth
every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces. Brush your teeth twice per day with a
soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your toothbrush should fit your mouth and allow you to
reach all areas easily. Use an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride, which helps protect
your teeth from decay. Clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners to
remove plaque from between the teeth, where the toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing is essential
to prevent gum disease.
Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing
cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth
clean, you must practice good oral hygiene every day.
How do I brush and
floss my teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends the following techniques
for brushing and flossing your teeth:
Brushing
• Place your
toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently
in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth
surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean the
inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your
tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Flossing
• Break
off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss
tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a
gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape
against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
•
Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the
other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly
against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with
up-and-down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
Is there anything else I can use to clean my mouth?
A mouth rinse, in
addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial
mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease.
Fluoride mouth rinses also help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Always talk to your dentist about
any
new products you are interested in trying. Not everyone should use a fluoride mouth
rinse. For instance, fluoride rinses are not recommended for children ages 6 or younger because
they may swallow them. Always check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and age
recommendations and talk with your dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.
Source: Academy of General Dentistry
Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson
maintains his private dental practice (Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information
on this or any other dental topic, please visit: www.imagecaredentalgroup.com . If you have
questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an e-mail to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or mail
him at 6841 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75024.
|
|
|
What is the Best Technique for Brushing? |
|
 There are a
number of effective brushing techniques. Patients are
advised to check with their dentist or
hygienist to determine which technique is best for them, since
tooth position and gum condition
vary. One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular
or elliptical motion to
brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire
mouth.
Place a toothbrush
beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an
elliptical motion. Brush the
outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, the chewing surfaces and
between teeth. Using
a back-and-forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, can expose the root surface
or make the
root surface tender. You also risk wearing down the gum line.
Soft or
hard
bristles?
In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1" by
1/2") for easy access. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp and soft, nylon
bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth. A soft, rounded,
multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively. Press just firmly enough to reach the spaces
between the teeth as well as the surface. Medium and hard bristles are not recommended.
How long should I brush?
It might be a good idea to
brush with the radio on, since dentists generally recommend brushing three to four minutes, the
average length of a song. Using an egg timer is another way to measure your brushing time. Patients
generally think they're brushing longer, but most spend less than a minute brushing.
To make sure you're doing a thorough job and not missing any spots, patients are
advised to brush the full three to four minutes twice a day, instead of brushing quickly five or
more times through the day.
Should I brush at work?
Definitely, but most Americans don't brush during the workday. Yet a survey by
Oral-B Laboratories and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) shows if you keep a toothbrush at
work, the chances you will brush during the day increase by 65 percent.
Getting the debris off teeth right away stops sugary snacks from turning to damaging acids and
catches starchy foods like potato chips before they turn to cavity-causing sugar. If you brush with
fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before going to bed, you don't even need to use
toothpaste at work. You can just brush and rinse before heading back to your desk. If you don't
have a toothbrush, rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch also helps.
Tips to improve your office brushing habits: - Post a
sticky note on your desk or computer as a reminder to brush teeth after lunch.
- Brush teeth
right after lunch, before you become absorbed in work.
- Store your toothbrush and toothpaste
at work in a convenient and handy place.
- Make brushing your teeth part of your
freshening-up routine at work.
- When brushing at the office or away from home, it's
important to make an extra effort to keep your toothbrush germ-free.
Tips on
how to properly store and care for your toothbrush at work: - Always store your
toothbrush in a travel container.
- Dry your toothbrush after use and before returning to its
container.
- Change the toothbrush you take to work more often than your toothbrush at home
to avoid bacteria build-up.
Source: Academy of General Dentistry
Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson maintains his private dental practice
(Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information on this or any other dental topic, please
visit: www.imagecaredentalgroup.com . If you have questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an
e-mail to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or mail him at 6841 Coit Rd, Plano, TX
75024. |
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >>
|
| Results 15 - 21 of 29 |
