15 Pro Oral Health Tips
15 Oral Health Pro Tips from the Australian Dental Association, helping you keep that bright happy smile for a life time. Also read ’11 Oral Health Messages’ for some evidence based facts.
1: Brushing Teeth
Use a soft-bristled brush with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Keep your mind focused on brushing the gums and teeth simultaneously. Listen to music for fun and timing.
2: Flossing Teeth
Do it – just once a day – there is an amazing array of different dental floss – there will be one that suits you – experiment for yourself and find a time of day that best suits you – I can help you find the one.
3: Healthy Mouth
An unhealthy mouth may or may not be painful, but – it can be costly and decrease quality of life. Prevention is integral – take care of yourself and have a team to help back you up on a regular basis to see the things you don’t. Poor oral health can be expensive in many ways. Prevention is always cost effective.
4: Balanced Diet
Consuming foods low in sugar will reduce the risk of tooth decay. Bacteria feed off sugars and release acids that cause tooth decay. Drinking water after you eat helps rinse the mouth of acids and sugars.
5: Protecting Teeth From Sugars
Manufactured foods that are ready to go often contain high amounts of hidden sugar with incredible names like Glucose, Sucrose, Corn Syrup, Maltose, Molasses, Dextrose, Honey, Coconut Sugar, Fruit Juice, and Maple Syrup to name a few. If you have to read the label its not fresh – choose wisely what you put into your body.
6: Healthy Drink Choices
Drinking plenty of water daily is the best for your body and mouth. Soft drinks, fruit juices, sports and energy drinks, and cordials contain high amounts of sugars that rot your teeth. Your daily choices make a difference – what’s your next step?
7: Infant Oral Hygiene
Use a clean damp washcloth to clean your baby’s gums. Introduce a child-sized toothbrush when teeth begin to appear and clean with water. Child-strength fluoride toothpaste can be introduced after 18 months of age.
8: Teething Infants
A cuddle and gentle words comfort babies when they are teething – it’s ok. Teething takes about a week per tooth. Massaging the gums using a soft wet cloth or a clean finger helps. A cold object such as a reputable teething ring or teaspoon applied with a little pressure can soothe. for more detailed help – check this out
9: Knocked Out Tooth
Stay calm and think – is the tooth a baby or adult tooth? Hold the tooth by the crown (the white shorter part of the tooth that you can normally see) and not the slightly yellow root. If its dirty, rinse it with milk or saline ( eye bath liquid available from chemists or check out your first aid kit ) without touching the root. Follow this for more help.
10: Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards from dentists provide a higher level of protection than over-the-counter products. They are designed to fit your unique mouth so you can still speak, breathe and play sports comfortably without the worry of it falling out.
11: Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays are used to ‘see’ possible problems under the gums, in the teeth and jaw bones beyond what the human eye can see. There is so much more to know.
12: Explaining Dentures
Dentures will harbour germs and food – keep them clean just like your natural teeth. Use a soft-bristled brush with a gentle soap like a soft hand wash. Do not use Toothpaste. Rinse and dry them thoroughly and place them in a dry sealed container overnight. For more detailed instructions go here.
13: Explaining Implants
Similar to dentures implants can replace one or many missing teeth, however, the difference is they are permanently fixed. Although dental implants are not affected by tooth decay, gum disease can still severely affect dental implants. It is important to apply the same oral health care with implants, as one would care for teeth.
14: Explaining Tooth Decay
The mouth contains millions of bacteria. Sugars feed some of these bacteria which in return produce acids that break down the enamel lining of our teeth. This process is known as demineralisation. Saliva and fluoride in toothpaste help to neutralise the acids and replenish enamel minerals, known as remineralisation. Overconsumption of sugary foods will negatively affect the remineralisation process. Allowing the bacteria to eat away at the enamel lining unchecked.
15: Explaining Gum Disease
Healthy gums will appear pink and firm. If bacteria is not cleaned from the gums, they will become inflamed, this is known as gingivitis. Left unchecked gingivitis can advance into severe gum disease, known as Periodontitis. Smokers and people with poorly controlled diabetes have a higher risk of developing severe gum disease.
