Caring for Your Teeth
With
proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy
throughout your life. The healthier your teeth
and gums, the less risk you have for tooth decay
and gum disease. This handout describes how
you can keep your teeth and gums healthy. |
| Your
Teeth |
 |
An
individual tooth consists of an exposed crown and a root, buried in
the gum and jaw. The crown is usually
at least partly covered by an outer layer
of an especially hard substance related
to bone called enamel. Beneath the
enamel (and sometimes exposed to the surface
if the enamel is missing or worn away) is
an intermediate layer of material called dentine, which is also similar to
bone but is not nearly as hard as enamel.
It surrounds an inner pulp cavity filled with pulp (a living, vascular
and well innervated tissue). Blood vessels
and nerves reach the pulp cavity through
a channel, the root canal, that penetrates
the root. An additional layer of bony material, cementum, usually surrounds the root. |
 |
|
| How
can I care for my teeth and gums |
There
are four basic steps to caring for teeth and
gums:
- Brushing,
- Flossing,
- Eating
right, and
- Visiting
the dentist.
|
| Tips
for Brushing |
Brush
at least twice a day. If you can, brush after
every meal. Brushing removes plaque (plak),
a film of bacteria that clings to teeth. When
bacteria in plaque come into
contact with food, they produce acids. These
acids lead to cavities. To brush:
- Place
a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on
the head of the toothbrush. (Use a soft toothbrush.)
- Place
the toothbrush against the teeth at a 45 degree
angle.
- Move
the brush across the teeth in a small circular
motion. Keep the tips of the bristles against
the gum line. Avoid pressing so hard that
the bristles lie flat against the teeth. (Only
the tips of the toothbrush clean the teeth.)
Let the bristles reach into spaces between
teeth.
- Brush
the top chewing surfaces of the teeth. Be
sure to clean the back teeth.
- Use
the same motions for the inside, back surfaces
of the teeth.
- To
clean the inside of the bottom front teeth,
angle the head in an up-and-down position
toward the bottom inside of the mouth and
move the toothbrush in a small circle.
- For
the inside of the top front teeth, angle the
brush in an up-and-down position with the
tip of the head pointing towards the roof
of the mouth. Move the toothbrush in a small
circle.
|
| Tips
for Flossing |
 Floss
once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque
between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot
reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can
harden into tartar, which must be removed by
a dentist. To floss:
- Remove
about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.
- Wind
the floss around the middle fingers of each
hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing.
Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.
- Place
the floss in your mouth and use your index
fingers to push the floss between the teeth.
Be careful not to push too hard and injure
the gums.
- Move
the floss up and down against the tooth and
up and around the gum line. The floss should
form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.
- Floss
between each tooth as well as behind the back
teeth.
- Use
a clean section of floss as needed and take
up used floss by winding it around the fingers.
|
| How
can I eat right to prevent tooth decay? |
You
get two sets of teeth in your lifetime?
The first set, sometimes called "baby
teeth", are replaced by permanent
teeth about the time you start first grade.
But,
just because you get two sets of teeth
doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of
the first set! If your baby teeth get
rotten (decay), your permanent teeth might
grow in crooked. |
Sugars
and starchy foods produce the most acids in
the mouth. The longer these foods stay in the
mouth, the more they can damage the teeth. For
these reasons, it's best to avoid eating a lot
of sugary and starchy foods. Hard sucking candies
are especially harmful because they stay in
the mouth a long time.
Snacking
on sugary foods can lead to tooth decay because
most people don't brush after snacks. Starchy
snack foods, like potato chips, stick to the
teeth. Avoid snacking on:
- Candies,
cookies, cakes and pie
- Sugary
gum
- Crackers,
breadsticks and chips
- Dried
fruits and raisins
|
| What
else can I do to protect my teeth? |
You
can also ask your dentist about dental sealants.
Sealant is a material used to coat the top,
chewing surfaces of the teeth. This coating
protects the tooth from decay and usually lasts
a long time.
Visit
your dentist at least once every six months.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, it's important
to have regular check-ups and professional cleanings.
You should also see your dentist if you have
pain in your teeth or mouth or bleeding, swollen
gums. |
| How
Do Braces Work? |
 Teeth
can slowly be moved and shifted into proper
position by applying pressure in certain directions.
Bands, wires and elastics are placed on the
teeth to move them in the right direction.
This takes place slowly and carefully over
an extended period of time.- Shifting
teeth back into a functional position can
take months to years, but eventually you'll
have a new and improved mouth!
- Retainers
are often used after the braces, to hold the
teeth in their new position until they are
stable.
- It
is important to wear the braces or an appliance
for however long it takes. If you quit at
any point during treatment, the teeth can
shift back into their old position.
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