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| Brushing A good home care program is one of the best ways to ensure healthy teeth and gums. It consists of brushing upon rising, before going to bed and after every meal and flossing every day. Regular visits to your family dentist for check ups and cleanings are also an important aspect of maintaining optimal oral health. Proper brushing and flossing are two ways you can make sure you are doing what you can to protect your mouth. Proper brushing consists of about three to five minutes of concentrated brushing. While a quick brush may make your mouth feel fresh, it will do very little to remove the plaque that develops during the course of the day. A good brushing - aimed at plaque removal - covers all areas of the teeth; inside, outside on the biting surfaces and along the gum line. Use of a soft, round-bristled toothbrush is best because it doesn't scrub away the enamel on your teeth or irritate your gums. Soft bristled brushes also clean more effectively below the gum line. Because bacterial colonies (plaque) reform every twelve hours, brushing at least twice a day is very important in order to prevent gum disease. Without good oral hygiene, calculus or tartar may begin to form on your teeth. Calculus is a calcified colony of plaque bacteria which can be quite damaging to your gum tissues. Once calculus has formed on the teeth only your dentist or hygienist can remove it. |
| Flossing Why be concerned about plaque and calculus? They are the leading causes of periodontal disease - a disease that threatens loss of your teeth as well as a decline in your overall health. Because one of the most difficult areas from which to remove plaque is in between the teeth - brushing alone is not enough. You must also floss at least once daily as an important part of your home care. Plaque can turn into calculus quickly so it is very important implement a regular regimen that includes flossing in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. |
| An Ounce of Prevention is Worth A Pound of Cure Good oral health is vital to overall good health. Your commitment to an excellent home care regimen combined with regular visits to your dentist can ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. It has been estimated that preventive dentistry can add ten years to a person’s lifespan! |
| Fluoride is a nutrient which our bodies need for growth and development. However, it also helps to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and is effective in decreasing tooth sensitivity. If fluoride is taken internally during childhood when teeth are being formed, it is incorporated throughout the enamel of the teeth helping to make them less prone to decay. Once teeth are erupted into the mouth fluoride taken internally has little effect on the structure of the tooth. For that reason use of fluoridated toothpastes and/or mouth rinses are recommended. The fluoride works with your saliva on the enamel of the teeth helping to re-mineralize the enamel and fight decay. We at Southern Dental may recommend fluoride in a stronger form for patients with high rates of tooth decay, extensive dental work, or sensitive teeth. Bad Breath Nothing ruins a good first impression more quickly than bad breath. Oftentimes you don’t even realize that you have a problem until someone tells you. It is an embarrassing problem that can signal an underlying dental problem. Most people think that using a mouthwash will solve their problem. Generally speaking, a mouthwash will only freshen your breath for a very short time. Mouth rinses containing alcohol may actually make your breath worse because they dry your mouth. In the majority of cases bad breath is caused by the presence of bacteria on the teeth, tongue and soft tissues of the mouth, throat, and sinuses. Proper dental home care including regular brushing and flossing will usually help remedy the problem. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss it could be an indication of gum disease. Sensitive teeth Do you sometimes experience discomfort if you eat or drink hot or cold foods? When you inhale cold air do your teeth ache? Those symptoms may indicate a dental problem. Share your concerns with our highly skilled oral care specialists at Southern Dental and let us determine whether or not you have a dental problem. In many cases we can recommend treatment to reduce tooth sensitivity. |
| Sealants An important part of maintaining a healthy mouth is preventing tooth decay. Sealants can help you do that by offering major protection against cavities. A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Made of plastic resin, the sealant bonds to grooves of the teeth and acts as a barrier which protects the tooth's enamel from plaque and acids. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth but toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the deep grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food. Sealants are easily applied and may be recommended as part of you or your child’s overall treatment plan. |
| Mouthguards Dental injuries are the most common type of oro-facial injury sustained during participation in sports. The use of custom-fitted mouth guards can significantly reduce the number and severity of those injuries. They reduce the possibility of concussion significantly. In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented annually in the United States through use of sports mouth-guards. Dental injuries can be significantly reduced if children, teenagers, and adults wear custom fabricated mouth- guards while involved in such activities as hockey, football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, rollerblading, skateboarding, martial arts, boxing, and mountain biking. Although do-it-yourself, “boil and bite” mouth-guards can be found in sporting goods stores they are not nearly as effective as the custom mouth-guards available from Southern Dental. “Boil and bite” mouth-guards do not fit as well as custom fabricated types. Therefore, they are often uncomfortable and interfere with the athlete’s breathing and speaking ability. They may also give a false sense of protection due since their thickness is dramatically decreased when the athlete "bites" it into place during its softened state. On the other hand, Pro-form mouth-guards fitted by our dental team are more comfortable to wear since they are custom- fitted to the athlete's mouth. They are also made of a stronger material and, therefore, offer more "smile protection." These are the same mouth-guards worn by professional athletes. Remember – mouth-guards aren't just for kids. Weekend athlete's need as much protection from oral injuries as their younger counterparts! Make Healthy Choices Smile-friendly foods are naturally high in nutrients and low in sugar. Some foods good for your dental health are milk, eggs, yogurt, peanuts and cheese. Milk acts as an acid inhibitor when combined with starches like those found in cereal. Other snacks that are good for your smile include include meat, seafood, hard-boiled eggs, raw vegetables, plain popcorn, seeds and nuts. Foods which are devastating for your smile are high in sugar and lacking in nutritional value. Examples include: soft drinks, ice cream, raisins, dried fruits, sweetened juices, chocolate, candies, gum, jellies and other beverages high in sugars. Limiting your intake of these foods whenever possible will help preserve your healthy smile. In general, common sense should prevail! Eat sensibly, brush and floss your teeth daily, and visit your dentist to ensure your smile remains healthy and beautiful. |
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| When flossing use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss between the teeth. When you reach the gum line curve the floss against the wall of the tooth and rub up and down to remove the plaque. If you have not been flossing regularly tenderness and bleeding after flossing the first several times is normal. Warm saltwater rinses will help to relieve this tenderness. Bleeding and tender gums are an indication of gum disease. If these symptoms persist after one week of daily flossing be sure to contact your dentist for proper treatment. |
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