Health Tips

Dental

DENTAL TIPS

Dental Benefit Providers, Inc. (DBP) encourages preventive dental care that will lead to healthier teeth and gums.

* Brushing Tips

* Flossing Tips

*Dental Tips for Children

*Dental Tips for Adults

BRUSHING TIPS
Move your toothbrush in short, gentle, circular, toothwide strokes.
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums, trying to get the bristle tips just under the gumline.
Brush the outer, inner and chewing tooth surfaces.

FLOSSING TIPS
You should use about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the rest of the floss around the same finger on your opposite hand.
Use care when guiding the floss between your teeth; never snap or jam the floss into the gums. Slide the floss between teeth using a gentle, sawing motion.
When the floss touches the gumline, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Slide the floss into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth and move the floss in up and down rubbing motions.
Don’t forget to floss the backside of your last tooth.
You may prefer to use interdental cleaners if you have difficulty handling dental floss. Ask your dentist about how to use these special brushes, sticks and picks properly.

DENTAL TIPS FOR CHILDREN
Parents should wipe their newborn’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding to control the accumulation of plaque and to establish this ritual as part of the daily routine.
Parents should begin brushing their child’s teeth as soon as they come in, with only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Ideally, flossing should begin when two adjacent teeth touch.
Parents should take their young child with them to their next routine dentist appointment to reduce some of the child’s potential anxiety in the dental chair. The child will have a chance to get used to the sounds, smells and staff in the dental office, prior to his/her own dental visit.
Children should visit the dentist no later than six months after the first tooth erupts, or before the child’s first birthday.
Parents should not give an unattended or sleeping child a bottle with milk or juice; instead, children should drink water to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.
It is important for children aged 6 months to 16 years to drink water that is optimally fluoridated drinking water (well water and bottled or spring water do not have any fluoride). Most communities have fluoridated tap water, but if it is not available the dentist can recommend a dietary fluoride supplement dosage.
Dental sealants are an excellent way to prevent tooth decay in children. The dental sealant procedure takes only minutes, is painless, is less than half the cost of a filling and is virtually 100 percent effective at stopping decay.
Children involved in sports need proper mouth protection to prevent mouth injuries, knocked-out teeth and possible concussions. Ask your dentist about customized mouth guards.
If a child, or an adult, has a permanent tooth knocked out of his/her mouth, follow these procedures: gently rinse (not scrub) the tooth off and place it in a cup of warm milk (salt water is the second best choice; plain water, the third best), call the dentist and bring the child and the soaking tooth in immediately for reimplantation and stabilization.

DENTAL TIPS FOR ADULTS
You should brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day.
Choose an ADA-accepted toothbrush that has polished bristles because they are less likely to injure gum tissue. Use a soft bristled toothbrush with a size and shape that allows you to reach all tooth surfaces.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become worn or frayed.
Oral irrigators are used as an aid for people with braces or fixed partial dentures, they should not replace regular brushing or flossing.
If you experience pain or sore muscles in the jaw joint area (in front of your ears) or even headaches, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. Speak to your dentist about being fitted for a night guard, which will protect your teeth and the joint area.
Gums should not bleed upon brushing. This is an indication of periodontal disease. Your dentist should do a thorough exam to evaluate the extent of the disease and prescribe an appropriate regimen.
Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Fluoride mouthrinses strengthen the teeth and can help prevent decay at all ages.
Consume plenty of calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones.
Avoid sticky sweets, such as taffies, toffees, soft candies and pastries. These types of foods stick to your teeth and feed decay-causing bacteria. When you do eat sweets, eat them after a meal. When candies are eaten alone, they are more likely to remain stuck between your teeth.
Do eat crunchy foods that naturally clean the teeth (apples, carrots, and other raw vegetables) and foods with ample vitamin C, like citrus fruits and broccoli.
Be aware that excessive amounts of coffee, tea, red wine and other beverages can stain your teeth.
Don’t chew on ice, popcorn kernels, lollipops or other hard foods; doing so can crack or otherwise damage your teeth or restorations.
If you can’t brush your teeth after eating, rinse your mouth with water.
If you wear removable appliances, clean them after eating and rinse before replacing them in your mouth.

Diabeties Dental Tips:

Tell your dentist you have diabetes and ask him or her to show you how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

People with diabetes get gum disease more often than people who do not have diabetes. Gum infections can make it hard to control blood sugar. Once a gum infection starts, it can take a long time to heal. If the infection is severe, teeth can loosen or even fall out. Good blood sugar control can prevent gum problems.

Keeping your own teeth is important for healthy eating. Natural teeth help you chew foods better and easier than you can with dentures. Because infections can make gums sore and uneven, dentures may not fit right. Be sure to tell your dentist if your dentures hurt.

Have a dental checkup at least every 6 months.

Take good care of your teeth and gums. At least twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Use dental floss every day to clean between the teeth.

If your gums bleed while you are brushing your teeth or eating, or a bad taste stays in your mouth, go to the dentist. Tell your dentist about any other changes you see, such as white patches, in your mouth.

Smoking makes gum problems worse. Your doctor or dentist can help you quit.