Oral hygiene basics

Oral hygiene is essential to keep  a healthy body.

Keepping your teeth healthy it's not owned only to good eaten habits,but also to a good oral hygiene and even more to a right and functional oclussion wich is able to distribute the maximal bite forces between all teeth  and not only on some arias of the dental arch. The necessary ingredient is... first of all... correct brushing.

If you're asking yourself wich are the latest news we'll tell you that if you are already convinced that you know everything possible regarding oral hygiene, there are some details that you might have neglect. So ...here they are!

When the first teeth start to come through, cleaning them should become part of your daily hygiene routine. Once you see a tooth emerging, you should start cleaning it. At first you may find it easier to clean around the tooth using a piece of clean gauze around your finger, or a cotton bud (no toothpaste). The movements must be easy, to evoid gum injuries. Your baby's first toothbrush should have soft bristles and a small head which allows it to reach all parts of his mouth easily and comfortably. You can buy them at specialised shops.

From 1 to 2.5 years old childrens should start cleaning their teeth

For babies a special baby toothbrush is recommended. It should have very soft and rounded bristles that will not irritate baby's soft gums, a small oval head to easily reach all areas of baby's mouth and a long handle so you can help with brushing. You should change  the  toothbrush at least once every 2-3 months. Using an electric rotary toothbrush is far more efficient and effective in overall plaque removal and massaging of the gums. Though,it's been showed a negligence on those who use this tipe,based on the over confidence of its efficiency.

To sustain the normal evolution of teeth,after the first teeth start to come trought(5-6 months), parents should be aware, these include making certain the child receives adequate fluoride.

The doctor or dentist should be informed,they may prescribe fluoride supplements for the baby . And, of course, a balanced diet it's important for childrens oral health too, meaning a diet reach on vitamins and minerals and low on carbohydrates (especially sweets).

Brushing

Effective brushing must clean each outer tooth surface, inner tooth surface, and the flat chewing surfaces of the back teeth. To clean the outer and inner surfaces, the toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle against the gums and moved back and forth in short strokes (no more than one toothwidth distance). To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, the toothbrush should be held vertically and the bristles at the tip (called the toe of the brush) moved gently up and down against each tooth. To clean the chewing surfaces of the large back teeth, the brush should be held flat and moved back and forth. Finally, the tongue should also be brushed using a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and bacteria that may sour the breath.

This technique is valid both for childrens and adults. As the child gets older, parents should demonstrate proper brushing techniques.

Proper oral hygiene is vital and brushing should take about 3 minutes.

on't precipitate on brushing your teeth, because later you will pay for every stolled minute. If you cand you should brush the after every meal, if not, at least 2 times a day (after breakfast and at bedtime).

How do you choose your toothpaste?

Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse used in conjunction with brushing and flossing can reduce tooth decay as much as 40 percent. So, using products with fluoride is a good idea. However, mouth rinses are not recommended for children under six. Children should use only a pea-size dab of fluoride toothpaste on the brush to avoid fluoride overdosing.

What else do your teeth need?

Recently, some mouthwashes have been introduced which contain medicaments which do more than cover up odor. Some are designed to deliver fluoride to the teeth. Fluoride has proven to combine chemically with the teeth to create a thin layer of fluoroapetite which is resistant to acid attack and helps to reduce the decay caused by the sugar habits. After each brush,use the mouthwash  for 20-30 sec. It has proven actually to reduce the number of bacteria in plaque and helps fight periodontal disease when used in combination with toothbrush and floss .

Waxed dental floss

Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath.Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations. Important! Always floss before brush, not after!

Chewing gum

One of the nice side effects of chewing gum is that you increase the production of saliva, which is usually good for oral hygiene and your breath. The condition is that gum must be sugar free. If, in any circumstances, you cannot brush your teeth, the easest solution is chewing gum. The effect is mechanic, chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and helps cleaning your teeth.

Better prevent the treat

Very important for oral health are the regular check ups and cleanings that can prevent the problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene. Your dentist will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by visual examination and comparing your previous dental check ups.

Going to your regular check ups will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy as well as detect any early problems. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings that you can't provide by yourself at home.

Also, the dentist can take care of the cosmetic dentistry procedures-teeth bleaching,dental piercing,dental bonding,porcelain veneers,dental crowns…

Tips for choosing the right toothpaste

• In baking soda toothpastes, the key ingredient is baking soda. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and may cause gum irritation after prolonged use. The only benefit to this type of toothpaste is that it leaves you with a fresh feeling in your mouth which can be an incentive to brush longer
• If you have gingivitis use a non abrasive toothpaste
• If you have sensitive teeth, a desensitizing toothpaste should be used (before chhosing it ask your dentist)
• Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that lighten teeth. These ingredients may cause gum irritation and sensitivity to teeth. They are also not as effective as the bleaching kits found in your dentist's office. So…ask your dentist about this!
• The flavored toothpaste burst with flavor in your mouth, but still finish with a refreshing menthol taste that leaves your mouth clean and fresh longer.
• When choosing toothpaste, don’t forget that only a correct brushing-including technique, frequency, timing-completes the quality of the toothpaste.

What do you have to know about: periodontal disease

The main causes of the periodontal disease are the mycrobian infections. In the beginning stage, the affection is called gingivitis, the inflamation of the gum tissue, wich is preventable, reversable and curable. A recent study of the National Institute of Health, USA, reveals that 47% of males and 37% of women, with ages between 18-64 years old present one or another type of gingivitis.

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth") and eventually the teeth may become loose and have to be removed.

Symptoms:

• Bad taste in your mouth
• Bad breath that won't go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Painful chewing
• Infection including purulence(pus) between the teeth and gums
• Tartar (yellow –brown) on the teeth

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue. The gums are irritated and swollen due to a plaque or calculus (tartar) buildup along the gumline. The gums may be sore, bleed easily and appear puffy, soft and swollen. The good news about gingivitis is that it is preventable and reversible through good brushing and flossing techniques (or other interdental tooth cleansing). On the other hand, if oral hygiene habits are poor, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is destruction of bone and the structures supporting the teeth. Unfortunately periodontitis is irreversible, but you can stop its progression through good oral hygiene and visiting your dental professional. When periodontitis progresses to the advanced stage, the gums severely recede (pull away from the tooth ); pockets deepen and may be filled with pus. As bone loss increases, your teeth may lose so much support that they need to be removed to preserve the overall health of your mouth.
Adult gum disease is usually not painful. It can progress slowly. You may not even be aware of it until the advanced stages, when the tooth is in danger of being lost. Check your gums thoroughly and regularly. It is also important to go for regular checkups (at an interval schedule determined through collaboration with your oral health professional, based on your own personal needs). Your dental hygienist can detect the early stages of gum disease, when it is the easiest to treat.

What do you have to know about: decays
First off, you need to think in terms of a tooth being a hard calcified object. Yes, teeth do have nerves in their centers and this tissue is soft, but the surface of a tooth (where tooth decay begins) is formed from types of tissues that are very high in mineral content. These tissues are called enamel and dentin.

Tooth decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates such as starches and sugars like soda pop, candy, cake and even sticky fruits. Because the acidic plaque rests against the tooth, the acid dissolves the calcium molecules from the tooth surface. When enough calcium dissolves from the tooth surfaces, the surface breaks and forms a hole. That is how cavities form. Sodium fluoride is a mineral used as a fluoride supplement. Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay. It is thought to work by strengthening the mineral composition of the tooth enamel, which makes the teeth more resistant to attack by acid in the mouth. Fluoride is added to drinking water in many areas and in general, water is a prime source of the mineral. Fluoride is also available as mouth rinses and toothpastes, in addition to tablets. Fluoride deficiency increases the risk of tooth decay.

What do you have to know about: sensitive teeth
Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort after eating cold or hot foods or liquids or even breathing cold air. This problem often happens when gums recede and/or cementum is not presence. Thousands of tiny dentinal tubules (channels) leading to the tooth's never center (pulp) are than exposed. These tubules allow more stimuli like heat, cold or pressure to reach the nerve in the tooth and you feel pain!

Tooth sensitivity is caused by:

• The exposed roots contain small pores or tubules which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth.
• Enamel erosion
• Cracked teeth
• Dental treatments-simple cleanings, orthodontics or restoration
• Gum disease and gum recession

There are many other causes, some of which can require a more comprehensive treatment plan:

• consult your dentist to establish the real cause of the sensitivity
• fluoride treatments
• brush gently with soft toothbrushe
• use of desensitising toothpaste
• avoiding very cold or hot  foods and drinks