Caring for My Teeth and Gums

daily routine can make a big CARING FOR MY difference in the long run. TEETH AND GUMS

Q Why are my teeth so important?

A Your teeth vary in shape and size depending on their position within your mouth. These differences allow the teeth to do many Your dentist or dental hygienist different jobs. Teeth help us to can remove any build-up on your chew and digest food. They help teeth and treat any gum disease us to talk, and to pronounce that has already appeared. But different sounds clearly. Finally, daily dental care is up to you, and teeth help to give our face its the main weapons are the shape. A healthy smile can be a toothbrush and interdental great asset and because this is so cleaning. (Cleaning between the important, it makes sense to give teeth) your teeth the best care possible. Q What is plaque? Q What can go wrong? A Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on A Tooth decay can lead to fillings, your teeth. The plaque reacts with crowns or inlays. If tooth decay is food, turning sugar into acid, not treated, the nerve of the tooth which then dissolves the enamel can become infected and die, on your teeth. causing an abscess. This may then need root canal treatment. Q Why is brushing important? Gum disease is the largest cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum A Daily brushing and cleaning disease is a treatable, preventable between your teeth is important condition and can be kept under because it removes plaque. If the control with regular check-ups, plaque isn’t removed, it continues preventing further problems. If to build up, feeding on the food teeth are lost, it may be necessary debris left behind and causing to fill the gaps with bridges, tooth decay and gum disease. dentures or implants. Q How can plaque cause decay? Q How do I keep my teeth and gums healthy? A When you eat foods containing sugars and starches, the bacteria A It is easy to get your mouth clean in plaque produce acids, which and healthy, and keep it that way. attack tooth enamel. The A simple routine of brushing and stickiness of the plaque keeps cleaning between the teeth, good these acids in contact with teeth. eating habits and regular dental After this happens many times, check-ups can help prevent most the tooth enamel breaks down dental problems. forming a hole or cavity.

Although most people brush regularly, many don’t clean between their teeth and some Q How can plaque cause gum people don’t have dental check- disease? ups. A few small changes in your

Courtesy of the BDHF A Plaque can harden into something where cleaning can be difficult. called calculus another name for it Children need to use smaller is ‘tartar’. As calculus forms near brushes but with the same type of the gumline, the plaque filaments. underneath releases poisons causing the gums to become You can now get more specialised irritated and inflamed. The gums toothbrushes. For instance, begin to pull away from the teeth people with sensitive teeth can and the gaps become infected. If now use softer bristled brushes. gum disease is not treated There are also smaller headed promptly, the bone supporting the toothbrushes for those people with teeth is destroyed and healthy crooked or irregular teeth. teeth may be lost. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in Some people find it difficult to hold adults and can lead to dentures, a toothbrush, for example bridges or implants. because they have Parkinson’s disease or a physical disability. Q How can I prevent gum There are now toothbrushes, disease? which have large handles and angled heads to make them easier A It is important to remove plaque to use. and food debris from around your teeth, as this will stop your gums Q How often should I change my from swelling and becoming toothbrush? infected. If you leave plaque on your teeth it can develop into A Worn-out toothbrushes cannot tartar, which can only be removed clean your teeth properly and may by the dentist or hygienist. It is damage your gums. It is important to keep up your regular important to change your appointments so that your teeth toothbrush every two to three can have a thorough cleaning if months or sooner if the filaments they need it. become worn. When bristles become splayed, they do not Q How do I know if I have gum clean properly. disease? Q How should I brush? A Gum disease (gingivitis) will show itself as red, swollen gums that A Brushing removes plaque and bleed when brushed or flossed. food particles from the inner, outer Many people are alarmed when and biting surfaces of your teeth. they notice this bleeding and will then brush more gently, if at all. It Here is one method of removing is important that you continue to plaque: clean regularly and firmly in order  Place the head of your to fight the condition. toothbrush against your teeth, and then tilt the bristle tips to a Q Which type of toothbrush 45 degree angle against the should I use? gumline. Move the brush in small circular movements, A Your dentist or dental hygienist several times, on all the will be able to recommend a surfaces of every tooth. toothbrush to you. However, adults should choose a small to  Brush the outer surfaces of medium size brush with soft to each tooth, upper and lower, medium multi-tufted, round-ended keeping the bristles angled nylon bristles or ‘filaments’. The against the gumline. head should be small enough to  Use the same method on the get into all parts of the mouth: inside surfaces of all your especially the back of the mouth teeth.

Courtesy of the BDHF  Brush the chewing surfaces of  When the floss reaches the the teeth. gumline, curve it into a C-  To clean the inside surfaces of shape against one tooth until you feel resistance. the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several  Hold the floss against the small circular strokes with the tooth. Gently scrape the side toe (the front part) of the of the tooth, moving the floss brush. away from the gum. Repeat  Brushing your tongue will help on the other side of the gap, along the side of the next freshen your breath and will tooth clean your mouth by removing bacteria.  Don’t forget the back of your last tooth. Q How often should I brush my  When flossing, keep to a teeth? regular pattern. Start at the top and work from left to right, A Be sure to brush thoroughly with a then move to the bottom and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a again work from the left to day, more often if your dentist right. This way you’re less recommends it. If you keep likely to miss any teeth. getting discomfort or bleeding after brushing go to see your It is also very important to clean dentist about it. around the edges of any crowns, bridges or implants. This can be Q How should I clean between my difficult to do effectively using teeth? traditional floss and there are now specialist flosses to do the job A One way to clean between your thoroughly (such as super floss teeth is with dental floss or tape. and specialist floss threaders). Flossing removes plaque and food Ask your dentist or hygienist on particles from between your teeth how to use these properly and and under the gumline, areas a which method you should use. toothbrush can’t reach. Your dentist or hygienist can show you Q Should my gums bleed when I proper flossing techniques. floss?

The following suggestions may A Your gums may bleed or be sore help: for the first five or six days that you floss. This should stop once  Break off about 18 inches of the plaque is broken up and the floss, and wind most of it bacteria has gone. If the bleeding around one of your middle does not stop, tell your dentist. It fingers. Wind the remaining may be that you are not flossing floss around the same finger correctly or your teeth and gums of the other hand. As you use need a more thorough clean by the floss, you will take up the your dentist or hygienist. used section with this finger. Q What do I do if I have difficulty  Hold the floss tightly between using floss? your thumb and forefingers, with about an inch of floss A If you have trouble using floss you between them, leaving no can use a floss holder or an slack. Use a gentle ‘rocking’ interdental cleaning aid. motion to guide the floss Interdental cleaning aids include between your teeth. Do not woodsticks or small interdental jerk the floss or snap the floss brushes used to remove plaque into the gums. from between the teeth. Your

Courtesy of the BDHF dentist or hygienist can explain Whitening toothpastes are good at how to use these properly. removing staining, but are not strong enough to change the Q How do electric toothbrushes natural shade of the teeth. work? Children’s toothpastes have about A An electric brush often has half the level of fluoride that adult rotating or vibrating head, which toothpastes have. They still provides a large amount of provide extra protection for the cleaning action with very little teeth, but as children have a movement needed from the user. tendency to ‘eat’ their toothpaste, there is less risk of them taking in Q Do electric toothbrushes clean too much fluoride. better? To have a clean and healthy mouth you need to use the correct A Tests have proved that certain dental care products. Ask your electric toothbrushes are better at dentist or hygienist to tell you the removing plaque. They are options and give their particularly useful for people with recommendations. limited movement, such as disabled or elderly people, who often find that using a normal toothbrush does not allow them to Q Should I use a fluoride clean thoroughly. toothpaste? Electric toothbrushes can also be better for children as they may be A Yes. Fluoride helps to strengthen more inclined to brush regularly and protect teeth, which can because of the novelty of using an reduce tooth decay in adults and electric toothbrush. Discuss the children. idea with your dentist or hygienist to find out if you would benefit Q How much toothpaste should I from using an electric toothbrush. use?

Q Are oral irrigators useful? A You do not need to cover the head of your brush in toothpaste. A A Oral irrigation devices use a pea-sized amount is enough. stream of water to remove food Children should use a small particles from around the teeth. scraping of toothpaste. These devices can be particularly helpful for people wearing Q Are accredited products better? orthodontic appliances or fixed bridges. A Look for products carrying the British Dental Health Foundation logo on the packet. These Q What sort of toothpaste should I products have been clinically and use? scientifically proven to the satisfaction of a panel of experts. A As well as regular family The claims made on the labels toothpastes, there are many must be accurate in what they say specialist toothpastes. These and what they imply. include tartar control for people who are prone to tartar build-up, Q Should I use a mouthwash? and ones for people with sensitive teeth. Total care toothpastes A Mouthwashes are mainly used to include ingredients to help fight freshen breath. If you have to gum disease, freshen breath and keep using a breath freshener to help reduce plaque build-up. hide any bad breath, see your dentist. Bad breath can be a sign

Courtesy of the BDHF of poor general health as well as earlier. It will also be easier to put unhealthy teeth and gums. these problems right.

A fluoride mouthwash can help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash to help control plaque and reduce gingivitis (gum disease).

Q Can watching my diet help?

A Many people think that it is a high level of sugar in your diet that causes decay, but this is not so. It is how often you have sugar in your diet, not the amount that causes problems. It takes an average of 40 minutes for the mouth to cancel out the acid caused by eating and drinking sugar. It is therefore important to limit the number of attacks by keeping sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes.

Q What do I do if I have dentures?

A It is just as important to clean dentures as it is to clean your natural teeth. Food can become caught around the edges of dentures and clasps, and can rot if not cleaned thoroughly. Clean your dentures using a denture brush and plain soap. Always clean dentures over a bowl of water or folded towel to stop them breaking if you drop them.

Q I have implants, do I have to do anything special?

A Your dentist or oral surgeon will tell you how to care for your implants after surgery. It is very important to make sure you clean them regularly and thoroughly to prevent gum disease and possible infection.

Q Why should I visit the dentist regularly?

A Prevention is always better than cure. If you visit your dentist regularly, you will need less and your dentist will spot any problems

Courtesy of the BDHF The last word

Good dental health begins with you. By following this simple routine, you can keep your mouth clean and healthy:

 Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.  Have sugary drinks and snacks less often.  Use a small to medium size toothbrush.  Use a toothbrush with soft to medium multi-tufted, round- ended nylon bristles.  Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.  Use small circular movements to clean your teeth.  Change your toothbrush regularly.  Clean between your teeth using dental floss or wood sticks.  Visit your dentist at least once a year.  Look out for products with the British Dental Health Foundation logo.

Courtesy of the BDHF