Oral Care

Oral care is the practice of keeping the mouth clean in order to prevent cavities, gingivitis, periodintitis, bad breath, and other dental disorders. Oral hygiene consists of both personal and professional care.

Whatever your age, you can and should have healthy teeth and a pleasant smile. Correct dental care can help you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

Causes of Tooth Decay
The combination of bacteria and food causes tooth decay. A clear, sticky substance called plaque that contains bacteria is always forming on your teeth and gums. Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, tender or bleed easily. As the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food you eat, they make acids. Sugared foods, such as candy and cookies, are not the only culprits. Starches, such as bread, crackers, and cereal, also cause acids to form. The acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth, resulting in tooth decay.

What are some tips for daily oral care?
You can easily remove decay-causing plaque by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily.

Using toothpaste that contains fluoride helps protect your teeth from decay. When choosing any dental product, don’t forget to look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, an important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness.

Cleaning between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners removes plaque from between the teeth, areas where the toothbrush can't reach. It is essential in preventing periodontal (gum) disease.

By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life. Follow these tips to keep your teeth and mouth clean.

You also need to see your dentist for routine checkups, and to avoid foods that are high in sugar. You need to discuss with your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you.

How should you brush your teeth?

• 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 'toe' 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.

How should you floss your teeth?

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• 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.
• 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.
• Don't forget the backside of your last tooth.

If you have difficulty handling dental floss then you may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.