ORAL CARE BASICS

         Spetial condition- pregnancy-

  When you’re pregnant, what you do to take care of your own health, including your oral health, affects the health of your developing baby. In addition, hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy can increase your chances of developing gum disease.

  So while you are pregnant, it is especially important to practice good oral hygiene, which means brushing and flossing every day, eating a healthy, balanced diet and continuing to make regular dental visits.

         

       

How does pregnancy affect my teeth and gums?
 How does gum disease develop?
 How do I know if I have gum disease?
 Am I also at a greater risk for tooth decay?
 How can I avoid tooth decay and gum disease?
Should I tell my dentist that I’m pregnant?
 When do my baby’s teeth start developing?
 How should I care for my infant’s teeth and gums?

How Often Should You Go To The Dentist?

  

              

       

       How does pregnancy affect my teeth and gums?  Pregnancy causes hormonal fluctuations that increase your risk for gingivitis. The changing hormone levels in your body can make your gums more sensitive to harmful plaque—the colorless, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Furthermore, if you already have signs of gum disease, being pregnant may make it worse. This is why it’s vital to pay more careful attention to your daily brushing and flossing routine to keep plaque under control.

       How does gum disease develop?Plaque is one of the main causes of gum disease. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it will accumulate on the teeth and below the gumline, which can lead to gingivitis—the first stage of gum disease.
If ignored, gingivitis can progress to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis, in which the gums and bones that support your teeth and keep them in place are permanently damaged

       How do I know if I have gum disease?As many as 70% of women have some form of gum disease during pregnancy, so watch out for these warning signs:

--Your gums are tender, swollen, or red

--Your gums bleed when you brush or floss

--You can’t get rid of bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

       Am I also at a greater risk for tooth decay?

Yes. Sugary food cravings and morning sickness may make you more vulnerable to developing cavities.

       How can I avoid tooth decay and gum disease?

Here is a checklist for keeping your teeth and gums properly cleaned:

  • Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bed.

  • Use a good quality, soft-bristled toothbrush.

  • Take your time. You should spend at least two minutes brushing to remove the plaque that is constantly forming on your teeth.

  • Use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is proven to help prevent cavities.

  • Clean between teeth daily. Use floss or other interdental cleaners to remove plaque from areas that your toothbrush can’t reach.

  • Eat a healthy balanced diet, rich in calcium – these are especially good for developing teeth and bones.

  • Avoid frequent sugary snacks.

  • Continue to visit your dentist and hygienist for regular checkups.

          Should I tell my dentist that I’m pregnant?

 As soon as you believe that you are pregnant, tell your dentist because it may not be safe to have x-rays during pregnancy. You should also let your dentist know if you are trying to get pregnant: knowing this can help in planning x-rays or other treatments. Tell your dentist what medicines you are taking and if your physician has given you any specific medical advice, as it may affect the treatment given.

         When do my baby’s teeth start developing?

Your baby’s first teeth will begin to develop about three months into your pregnancy. The healthier your diet is, the greater the likelihood that your baby’s teeth and gums will be healthy too

         How should I care for my infant’s teeth and gums?

Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, you should be cleaning his or her mouth after feeding. Use a damp washcloth or piece of gauze to wipe the gums – this will remove any plaque that has formed.

You should start brushing your baby’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush as soon as the first one appears. The Oral-B Stage 1 toothbrush is ideal for babies' first teeth and gums.

ake your baby to the dentist sometime between the arrival of the first tooth and his or her first birthday. At this time, the dentist will check your child’s teeth, gums and jaw for any problems and show you the right way to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

 
  

      Good oral care habits are essential to the lifelong health of your teeth and gums. To familiarize yourself with the basics of tooth anatomy, look at the drawing below. This illustrates the parts of a tooth as well as the relationship between teeth and gums.

 

Enamel is the hardest material in your body and makes up the outside of your teeth, above the gum line. Dentin is the tissue that makes up the core of each tooth. Pulp is the living part of the tooth, located inside the dentin. It contains the nerve tissue and blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tooth. Cementum is located at the root of the tooth. It serves as the anchor point for the ligaments that join the tooth to the bony tooth socket.

Healthy gums, or gingiva, are pink and smooth. Unhealthy gums appear red and swollen and bleed easily.

To maintain healthy, well-functioning teeth and gums and to guard against disease, a healthy diet, regular dental office visits, and daily brushing and flossing are essential. Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, your dental professional may also recommend the use of an anti-plaque, anti-cavity or anti-bacterial rinse, a plaque-fighting toothpaste, a specialty toothbrush, a specialty floss, an irrigator or a power toothbrush.

 

            Gingivitis (Gum Disease)

   Many of us will experience gingivitis at some time in our lives.* Fortunately, with immediate proper care, this type of gum disease is completely reversible.

Gingivitis is caused by infrequent or incorrect brushing or flossing, which results in plaque build-up on tooth surfaces, between teeth and under the gumline. Symptoms occur when bacteria in the plaque produce toxins that irritate gum tissue, causing gum tenderness, inflammation and pain.

If the disease is allowed to progress, gum infection will occur, accompanied by a tendency to bleed during brushing. In cases of acute gingivitis, more severe symptoms occur.

PREVENTION OF GINGIVITIS: Proper brushing and flossing, and use of an anti-plaque rinse and plaque-fighting toothpaste, help inhibit the plaque build-up that causes gingivitis.

*Nearly 75 percent of people over age 35 now have gum disease or have experienced it previously.

           Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

  Periodontitis is a disease that occurs when bacterial toxins penetrate the gingiva and cause inflammation of gums, ligaments and the bone structure, which support teeth. Although the effects of this inflammation may be irreversible, the disease's progress can be halted and controlled.

Because periodontitis may occur without visible symptoms, it is important for your dental professional to regularly examine you for increased gum pocket depths, one of the earliest signs of the disease.

  Early periodontitis may be associated with tooth sensitivity; throbbing or tightness may be felt in the gum tissue. Periodontal disease can, however, progress slowly without any visible signs or symptoms.Moderate periodontitis may cause loosening of teeth, and an intensification and increased incidence of early periodontal symptoms. Advanced periodontitis is associated with gum recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or loss of teeth.

 

    PREVENTION OF PERIODONTITIS: Proper brushing and flossing, and use of an antibacterial rinse, help to inhibit the penetration of bacteria below the gumline, which is the primary cause of periodontitis.

   Dental Caries (Cavities)

        Dental caries is the disease process of tooth decay. It occurs when bacteria
(which accumulates in plaque) consume sugar and produce acid that can dissolve tooth enamel and tooth dentin. Immediate treatment in the form of restoration is essential.

    Fissure caries occur because plaque becomes trapped in the bottom of fissure grooves where enamel is very thin and easily penetrated. This is the most common form of caries in children.

    Proximal caries occur when plaque is allowed to accumulate between teeth.
These areas are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, and caries often occur here in patients who do not floss.

    Root caries occur following bone loss and gum recession (which most commonly result from periodontist). Because roots are not protected by enamel, caries can progress quickly.
   
         HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL CARIES:  Your best protection against dental caries is daily brushing, flossing and use of an anti-cavity rinse combined with regular visits to the dentist for fluoride treatments, and a healthy diet. For those who are highly susceptibility to tooth decay, a dentist can seal the teeth, making them more resistant to decay on the biting surfaces, or fissure caries.

          Brushing and Flossing

How to brush properly: Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion .Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all inner and outer tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed for reaching the insides of smaller front teeth.

          How to floss properly: Take about 18 inches of floss or tape, and wrap it around your middle fingers until you have a two-inch length between them. With the thumb and forefinger of each hand, guide the floss gently and carefully between upper and lower teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Avoid "snapping" the floss against delicate gum tissue. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape, and gently guide it up and under the gumline. Move it up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque. Use a new section o f floss for each tooth. With gingivitis, flossing may initially cause bleeding. If bleeding persists, immediately consult your dentist or hygienist.
 

Senior oral care
  How does prescribed medication affect my teeth and gums?
How does a lifetime of brushing affect my teeth and gums?
How will a change in my diet affect my oral health?		  
     With advances in dentistry and oral care products, and a more widespread understanding of what it takes to look after teeth and gums, more people are keeping their teeth as they get older. However, older adults often face additional dental problems, which is why it is more important than ever to maintain a high standard of oral hygiene.
     How does prescribed medication affect my teeth and gums?
As you get older, the amount of saliva that you produce tends to decrease. In addition some medications, or illnesses, may cause a reduction in the amount of saliva present in your mouth. This is called "dry mouth" or xerostomia, which can cause an increased risk of tooth decay.
  Saliva is the mouth's built-in defense against the development of harmful plaque because it washes away the acids that are produced when plaque interacts with sugar, in the things you eat and drink. Less saliva inhibits this process and, therefore, puts your teeth at greater risk for decay.
  Dry mouth can also cause an increase in gum problems.
 You can overcome "dry mouth" by using artificial saliva products which can lubricate the mouth during, and after meals. In addition, your dentist may recommend a range of home care products that will make your teeth more resistant to decay. Fluoride treatments, such as Oral-B STOP® Gel, or fluoride mouth rinses, go straight to the tooth surfaces, to help prevent decay.
    How does a lifetime of brushing affect my teeth and gums?
As you get older, the chances are that your gums will start to recede - this makes the teeth appear longer. This process will start to expose the root of the tooth, which can cause an increased risk of tooth decay, called root caries and can cause dentin hypersensitivity.
 A thorough daily oral care routine, which includes brushing and flossing, plus regular fluoride treatments, administered by your dentist, can help make your teeth more resistant to decay and can help alleviate the pain associated with sensitive teeth.
   How will a change in my diet affect my oral health?
Often, as you get older, your eating and drinking habits alter, which may involve an increased consumption of sugary snacks and drinks. Try to keep frequent snacking to a minimum since this will reduce the amount of times your teeth come under attack from plaque acids, thereby reducing the risk of tooth decay.

  How Often Should You Go To The Dentist?

      Fifty years ago, examinations of people entering the military showed that the average American's teeth were in pretty bad shape and few people took good care of their teeth. There were no guidelines for how often you should see a dentist, and many dental professionals focused on fixing problems rather than preventing them. Dental and health organizations trying to set standards for preventive dentistry settled on a "best guess" recommendation of twice-yearly visits to the dentist for check-ups and cleaning.

      The recommendation proved to be a useful rule of thumb and has remained common. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you need to see your dentist regularly so he or she can check for problems that you may not see or feel. Tooth decay generally doesn't become visible or cause pain until it is in more advanced stages.

Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of decay and disease and treat problems at a manageable stage. Ask your dentist the best schedule for your routine dental visits.

       On average, seeing a dentist twice a year works well for most people. A few people can get away with fewer visits; others may need more frequent visits. People with very little risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist just once a year. People with high risk of periodontal disease(because of current gum disease, a weak immune response to bacterial infection or a predisposition to plaque build-up or cavities) might need to see the dentist every three or four months, or even more frequently, for the best care.

     The schedule for any given individual may change over the course of a lifetime. In times of stress or illness, it may be necessary to see the dentist more frequently than usual to help fight off a temporary infection or treat changes in your mouth. If you take good care of your teeth and gums at home and your dentist doesn't find any cavities or gum disease for a few years, he or she may choose to lengthen the time between visits.