Basic Oral Health Care

The American Dental Association has many recommendations for good oral hygiene. Let’s start at the beginning with what causes your teeth to be in need of care in the first place. The bacteria in your mouth produce acids in response to different foods that you eat. This occurs almost every time that you eat and is caused by many types of food. After many, many interactions with this acid your teeth may begin to decay. This material causing problems with your teeth is called plaque. Plaque can also cause problems with the gums. It may make them red, tender, or bleed easily. In time these problems can lead to more serious problems, needing more serious treatment. Something that helps prevent these two problems is to eat a balanced diet and to snack on nutritional foods.

To further protect your teeth from these problems you need to remove decay-causing plaque by brushing and flossing. Brushing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth. It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, using a soft-bristled brush. Use a brush that fits the size and shape of your mouth. You should also use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which will further protect your teeth from decay.

When brushing your teeth hold your toothbrush at a forty-five degree angle against the gums. Move the toothbrush back and forth gently in tooth-wide strokes. Make sure that you brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Finally, don’t forget to brush your tongue. This helps to remove bacteria from the surface of your tongue and also to keep your breath fresh.

Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three to four months. You will know that it is time to replace your toothbrush if the bristles look frayed. Children’s toothbrushes often need to be replaced more often than adults, because they can wear out sooner. Worn toothbrushes will not do a good job cleaning your teeth.

A good way to get to that hard to reach plaque that builds up in between the teeth is to floss. You should floss once a day. This is very helpful in preventing gum disease. When flossing break of a little less than an arms length of floss and wind most of it one of your middle fingers. Then wind the rest of the floss around the same finger on the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. When the floss reaches your gums curve it into a C shape against one tooth, sliding it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Using the floss held tightly against the tooth, move the floss away from the gum in an up and down motion. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Mouth rinses should not be used as a replacement for flossing; they are not as effective in removing plaque. To learn more about flossing techniques ask your dentist at you next visit.

For more information concerning oral health contact your dentist or visit www.ada.org. If you are a resident in Chariton County Missouri please contact the local health center at (660)665-3675. The above information was found at www.ada.org.