2. #1 Goal= A healthy Mouth
Homecare is the #1 importance to keeping a
healthy smile.
Your goal is to make your mouth as inhospitable as
possible to the bacteria that produce plaque. To
accomplish this, eliminate both the bacteria and
the food it thrives on.
3. Steps to take…..#1
Buy the right toothpaste. There are so many brands
of toothpaste out there, which ones are the best?
The best ones are the one with the American Dental
Association Seal, this indicates that their was an
effective evaluation for the product for effectiveness
and safeness.
4. Step 2
Floss
Flossing is very important to keep your gums healthy
and to remove the rest of the plaque that brushing
cannot reach.
You are only cleaning 60% of your teeth with just
brushing along.
If you do not floss you will get gingivitis which is the
inflammation on the gums, which then can turn into
periodontal disease.
5. Step 3
Use a mouth rinse
Listerine is the only mouthwash that has an ADA
seal
This mouth rinse will kill the rest of the germs and
the plaque that you have missed
6. Step 4
Visit you dentist every 6 months or as directed by
your dental professional
This is very important for optimal health
You cannot remove the hard deposits that form on
your teeth alone
This is a prevention step and can prevent a lot of
costly procedures and save you from gum disease by
visiting you dentist as needed.
7. Step 5
Get fluoride!
Importance:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant
to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also
reverses early decay.
Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid
production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.
When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical?
It is certainly important for infants and children between the ages of 6
months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the time frame
during which the primary and permanent teeth come in
However, adults benefit from fluoride, too. New research indicates that
topical fluoride from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride
treatments are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening
developing teeth.
8. Step 6
Quit Smoking!
According to the ADA, smoking increases your risk
for tooth loss and gum disease, in addition to the
general negative impact it has on your health.
Smoking also stains the teeth, which can make your
smile appear less healthy and less appealing.
9. Best Toothpastes
Colgate total-Experts recommend Colgate Total because of
it's approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)
and contains both fluoride and triclosan, a broad-spectrum
antibiotic which kills bacteria that cause cavities and gum
disease. A copolymer allows the triclosan to remain active
between brushings, even after you eat or drink.
Toms of Maine is the only "natural" brand of toothpaste
that's approved by the ADA. This toothpaste avoids the
usual saccharin in favor of sweetening with xylitol, a
natural sugar proven to combat harmful bacteria instead of
feeding them.
10. Best Floss
Unwaxed floss- can be used for teeth that are not tightly together
Waxed floss- is more resistant to breaking than unwaxed floss
Glide floss- is easy to use to get between tight fitting teeth
Dental tape- can also be used with patients who do not have tight contacts
Super floss- can be used for patients who have braces or bridges and need a stiff
end to go under the dental device
Floss picks- can make it easier for patients to get to back teeth and maneuver
Tufted floss- are better for patients that have spaces around their teeth or who
have gum disease.
Sonicare Airfloss Microburst technology cleans at the touch of a button , angled
nozzle for easy to reach even the hard-to-reach areas. I recommend this to
patients who hate flossing, and have trouble with flossing like elderly patients
or patients with braces.
Glide floss is the most common recommendation for patients, its easy to use
and especially if you buy glide floss picks. As long as your doing the correct
method and doing it once per day is of utmost importance.
11. Best toothbrush
Soft bristle toothbrushes help you not abrade your teeth and has same
effectiveness so may be the best choice
Pick one that has the ADA seal
The patented dynamic cleaning action of a Sonicare electric toothbrush drives
fluid deep between the teeth and along the gum line, for a difference you can
see and feel.
It can remove up to 50% more plaque than your manual with a gentle cleaning
I usually recommend to patients who seem to have a hard time with removing
plaque because it does all the work for you.
The best times to brush are morning and night time, at least 2x daily for
optimal health. Technique is a big factor also.
12. How can I keep my toothbrush clean?
Thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with tap water after
brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris.
Store the brush in an upright position to air dry.
Do not cover toothbrushes or put them in closed
containers. A moist environment is more conducive to
the growth of microorganisms than the open air.
Replace toothbrushes every 3–4 months. The bristles
become frayed and worn out with use which makes the
cleanliness decrease.
Children’s toothbrushes often need to be replaced more
frequently.
15. What could happen if you do not keep up with
oral hygiene homecare?
Inflamed gums=Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a very common and mild form of gum
disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling of
your gums.
Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum
disease and eventual tooth loss.
16. Plaque Accumulation
Heavy plaque
Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on
teeth. It makes teeth feel fuzzy to the tongue and is most
noticeable when teeth are not brushed.
Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum
and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth.
17. Decay
Active Decay
Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates,
such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are
frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth
thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a
period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting
in tooth decay.
18. Gum disease
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to gum disease, which means
inflammation around the tooth. In gum disease, gums pull away from the teeth
and form spaces called “pockets that become infected. The body’s immune
system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.
Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break
down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the
bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may
eventually become loose and have to be removed.
19. Oral Health linked to overall health
Recent studies suggest gum disease may contribute
to or be warning signs of potentially life threatening
conditions such as
Heart disease and stroke
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Preterm birth
20. Conclusion
A healthy smile is more critical than you think
You smile can affect the health of your body as well
and can be linked to serious conditions
A healthy smile is important not just for your looks
but for your overall health
21. References
Watson, S. (2010, November 15). Gum disease and your overall health.
Retrieved from
http://dentistry.about.com/od/issuesandemergencies/a/importantbrush.html
www.ada.org
eHowcontributor. (2012). How to maintain a healthy smile. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/how_2122365_maintain-healthy-smile.html
Toothpaste reviews. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.consumersearch.com/toothpaste
