BrushingIt is important to brush first thing in the morning to remove plaque and bacteria that have accumulated over night and to brush last thing at night because saliva (which helps to keep the cavity-causing plaque off teeth) dries up as we sleep. Toothbrushes should come with a small head and soft bristles. Set a timer for 2 minutes, hold the brush at a 45 degree angle. Start at the same place every time begin by working your way around each tooth in turn. Ensure you clean all faces of the teeth to avoid missing any areas and don't forget your gums.
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Flossing
Use dental floss to clean in-between the teeth where plaque collects. Floss before you brush to remove any plaque from these areas. Roughly 90% of problems arise from areas between the teeth so it is important to floss effectively. Hold floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers and guide it between your teeth using a gentle sliding action. When the floss reaches where the tooth meets the gum, curve it into a V shape against the tooth and gently slide it up and down between the gum and the tooth. Repeat for the other side and every tooth. For larger gaps you can us an interdental brush.
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electo tooth brushes
Electric toothbrushes are recommended by a large number of dental professional for their superior performancewhen compared to manual brushing. Electric toothbrushes tend to have small brush heads that cup around the tooth and are faster and more efficient in cleaning areas of the mouth where bacteria and plaque collect.
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water jets
Waterjets, or Oral Irrigators, used instead of flossing, are devices where pressurised streams of water are blasted out of the device to remove plaque from the areas between the teeth not reached by brushing alone. Tests have shown that if you use a waterjet inconjunction with daily brushing, you will remove 99% more plaque than via brush alone. Gum health is also improved by up to 93%, compared to brushing alone and gingivitis and calculus are significantly reduced after only 2–4 weeks of use.
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Avoiding dry mouthSaliva provides an essential defence against tooth decay and periodontal disease. Where there is insufficient saliva serious dental health problems can arise. Persistent dry mouth could be a symptom of a disease or a side effect of certain medicines. For dry mouth sufferers there are a number of highly effective products that either stimulate saliva production or replace it altoghter. For more inofmration read: Dry Mouth Symptoms And Treatments.
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Fresh breathThere are a number of causes of bad breath, the most common of which is poor oral care. Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSC) are produced when naturally occuring bacteria break down plaque and food debris in the mouth. By keeping palque and debris in check bacteria have less to feed on and reproduce less frequently. In addition to cleaning thoroughly betwen the teeth it is recommended that you also clean your tongue on a daily basis.
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Use of mouthwashIf you are looking for a good mouthwash then make sure it is alcohol-free, as alcohol is an irritant and can dry out the mouth. This will have the effect of reducing the amount of saliva present, and make your teeth more susceptible to bacteria. The benefits of a mouthwash are that they can reach areas not touched by brushing alone. Rinse twice a day – once in the morning and last thing at night and always after brushing
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Whiter teethA white smile eludes health and happiness but particularly difficult to achieve for those who smoke, drinking red wine and other tannin containing drink. Luckily there are a number of products available that will enable you have the smile you've always wanted. Find more information about home teeth whitening here.
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New toothbrushDid you know you should change your toothbrush every two to three months for good dental hygiene? If you do not then bacteria will collect on the bristles and you will transfer them back into your mouth. Moreover, the bristles will become soft and ineffective. For electric toothbrushes the same rule applies. If your toothbrushes are wearing out before two months then you are probably brushing too harshly. Ask your dentist to show you the correct way of brushing. Always chose a toothbrush with soft not hard bristles as hard bristles can cause damage to the soft tissue in your mouth, including your gums.
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Clean your tongueA major cause of bad breath can actually come from bacteria building up on your tongue with a high percentage of it accumulating at the back, making it hard to reach. Use a proper tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and freshen your breath. A daily tongue scraping will help banish harmful bacteria and remember, using a tongue scraper is more effective than brushing your tongue with a toothbrush.
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Burning mouth or tongue and Perioral numbnessPeople suffering from diabetes often complain of burning sensation or numbness in the mouth or around the oral cavity. Focal neuropathy such as facial numbness is a nerve disorder that most commonly occurs in older diabetes sufferers.”
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Oral Thrush:Although oral thrush is a relatively common and mostly harmless yeast infection, the combination of thrush and diabetes can cause serious complications. People with diabetes are prone to developing a fungal infection inside the mouth and tongue called Thrush. The fungus increases with the high levels of sugar in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes.
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High glucose level can be a spoiler to your dental care:The oral cavity of a diabetic patient is at a high risk of various disorders arising mainly because increased glucose helps various bacteria to thrive in the mouth and multiply, causing impairment of white blood cells that are the body’s main defense against various bacterial infections inside the mouth. People with diabetes who smoke are at even a higher risk for the development of thrush and periodontal disease. Smoking impairs the blood flow to the gums, which may affect wound healing in this tissue area,” says the diabetic consultant.
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“Dry Mouth One of the most common oral health problems for diabetics is dry mouth or altered salivary flow. It occurs when there is not enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, which is important for health, comfort and for speaking. Having a dry mouth can be unpleasant and can also promote a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth.
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Dental problems can boost pneumonia risk in elderly.
Better dental care among the elderly — especially in nursing homes — could reduce cases of a particular type of pneumonia, according to researchers from the University of Michigan and Veterans Administration. Aspiration pneumonia is an infection that occurs after bits of food or stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs. Investigators found patients were at higher risk for this type of pneumonia if they had dental plaque or certain types of mouth bacteria. Overall, patients who had a stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or needed help eating were at risk for the ailment. "We know, as a result of previous studies, that it's just an area that tends to be overlooked in nursing homes It's often left to the residents to clean their mouth, and they just ignore it.People with dementia or other conditions that impair their mental status, or those who can't easily move their hands, are especially likely to have dental problems. In the meantime, nursing homes should assign and educate specific staff members, preferably nurse's aides, to do some actual tooth brushing for people who can't brush their own teeth. Additionally, they should encourage the use of a mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine, which can kill some harmful organisms in the mouth. "
By Meg Bryant Washington (Reuters Health) |