ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS

written by Manuel Chikwaya

                                                    

                                                              

                                                                

  Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires practicing good oral hygiene. It entails routines like twice-daily brushing and biannual dental exams.

But oral health is more than just preventing cavities and gum disease. The condition of a person's mouth and overall health have been linked, according to research. Oral health issues are viewed by experts as a global health burden.

Without treatment, gum disease or dental decay can cause pain, issues with confidence, and tooth loss. Malnutrition, speech disorders, and other difficulties in a person's job, academic career, or personal life could result from these concerns.

With regular dental care, both at home and in the dental clinic/office, people can avoid these issues.

 

First, let us look at how adults can help kids to have and maintain their oral health.             

                              

  Young kids mimic everything they see their parents do, and that includes brushing your teeth. Adults need to lead by example. Teaching your children the importance of proper dental hygiene from a young age can set them on a lifelong journey to a beautiful and healthy smile. Good oral hygiene and a balanced diet help prevent future dental problems like caries and gum diseases.

Primary teeth, often known as baby teeth or milk teeth, are equally as crucial to a child's development as their permanent teeth are. A child's baby teeth aid in chewing and speech. They serve as temporary teeth until the permanent teeth erupt.

A child's mouth may become disorganized if a baby tooth is lost due to decay, which could interfere with the development of the adult tooth.

In light of this, it is best to start introducing children to excellent dental hygiene during infancy. The following tips will support a child's oral health:

-Even before they erupt with teeth, daily washcloth application to a baby's gums is advised. This helps a baby get used to the sensation of brushing their teeth and eliminates sweets from the gums.

-Infants and young children shouldn't use sippy cups or bottles to go to sleep. Milk and juice both contain sugars that, if left on the teeth for an extended period of time, can result in tooth decay. Nursing bottle caries, or tooth decay, can be caused when your child sleeps with a bottle. This condition is also called baby bottle tooth decay. It is caused when a child goes to bed with a bottle filled with milk or juice — anything except water.

-Start introducing a sippy cup to a baby as they come closer to their first birthday. By the child's first birthday, try to stop using bottles.

-Between meals, toddlers can drink water from sippy cups; however, juice or milk should only be served during meals.

-Once a baby has teeth, you should use a soft baby toothbrush to clean them twice daily. Use a tiny, rice-sized dollop of fluoride-containing toothpaste. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used by kids ages 3 to 6.

-Until a youngster is able to completely brush all of their teeth on their own, parents or other adults should do it for them. Make sure they spit the toothpaste out by keeping an eye on them

-When not in use, keep the toothpaste out of the children's reach.

It is advisable that kids visit a dental clinic no later than six months after their first tooth erupts or at age one.

 

Here are a few of the BEST practices that can keep your teeth healthy:

 

a)    REGULAR TOOTH BRUSHING

                                       

The majority of people are aware that one of the most crucial habits for removing plaque and bacteria and maintaining clean teeth is brushing twice a day. However, brushing might only be efficient if people employ the right method. Brushing ensures the removal of plaque, which is the primary cause for tooth decay and gum disease; it also arrests the build-up of any plaque formation.

-Stillman technique incorporates a press-and-roll with the toothbrush bristles placed initially on the gums. This method is considered a gingival-stimulating massage, in addition to offering the benefit of cervical plaque removal.

-Fones or Circular Brushing method is a quicker technique for brushing your teeth. It involves placing the brush over a set of teeth, not at a particular angle, and then brushing each set 4-5 times with gentle, circular motions.

-Using the Bass or Sulcular method of brushing, the toothbrush bristles reach under the gums to scrub off plaque before it hardens into tartar and causes gum disease: Place the toothbrush parallel to your teeth with the bristles toward the gums

-Try to buy a battery powered toothbrush that has a timer to ensure that its adjusted to about 2 minutes

-Brushing should be done in small, circular motions with attention paid to the front, back, and top of each tooth. It takes two to three minutes to complete this. Avoid using back-and-forth sawing motions.

Too-vigorous brushing or using a toothbrush with a rough bristle might harm the gums and tooth enamel.  Toothbrush abrasion is the damage and wear that is caused by brushing your teeth and gums too hard. Gum erosion, tooth discomfort, and irreversible damage to the protective enamel on teeth are possible side effects. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles is advised by the American Dental Association (ADA).

 

 

b)    ONCE DAILY FLOSSING

                                           

Plaque and bacteria between teeth, where a toothbrush can't get to them, can be removed using flossing. By clearing away debris and food that has become stuck between the teeth, it can also help avoid foul breath.

Here is how to use the following proper flossing technique:

 

1)    Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.

2)    Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.

3)    Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.

4)    Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

5)    To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

The majority of dental professionals advise carefully guiding the floss all the way to the gumline before embracing the tooth's side with up-and-down motions. It's vital to avoid snapping the floss up and down between the teeth, as this can hurt and can lessen how well it removes plaque.

 

c)     FLOURIDE APPLICATION

                                              

Fluorine, a substance found in soil, is the source of fluoride. Fluoride is a frequently found element in toothpaste and mouthwash because many experts think it helps prevent cavities.

However, some communities may not use fluoride at all, and some dental products do not include it.

Even if a person takes good care of their teeth generally, evidence suggests that a lack of fluoride can cause tooth decay. According to a new study, if fluoride is not used, brushing and flossing do not shield a person from developing cavities.

By getting in touch with their local authorities, people can learn whether the water in their area contains fluoride. People that utilize well water will need to check the fluoride levels in this water to determine how much is present as reverse osmosis water filters eliminate fluoride. Many brands of bottled water don't have fluoride in them. In many world localities, fluoride has been added to the water supply by municipalities and other water suppliers. Many organizations advise using this technique. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Dental Associations recommend fluoridation of water

d)    VISIT A DENTAL CLINIC REGULARLY

                                                     

Every six months, people should have a check-up at the dental clinic, according to experts. A dental hygienist will clean the teeth and get rid of tartar and plaque during a standard dental checkup.

 The Dentist/Dental Therapist will look for visible indications of oral health problems such as mouth cancer, gum disease, cavities, and other conditions. Additionally, they could occasionally use dental X-rays to look for cavities.

 According to the findings of a recent study, children and teenagers should visit the dental clinic every six months to help avoid cavities. Adults who regularly practice good oral hygiene and have a low risk of oral health issues might be able to visit the dental clinic less frequently. People might discuss how frequently they need check-ups with their dental professional. Depending on a person's age, dental health generally, and medical history, the answer could change. Anyone who observes changes in their mouth, however, ought to see a dental professional.

   DRINK WATER INSTEAD OF SWEETENED BEVERAGES

                                           

The main source of added sugars is beverages with added sugar. Drinking soda, juice, or other sugary beverages can increase your chance of developing cavities. Sweetened beverages have become a treat that many people all over the world have every day. The truth is that these drinks are not healthy, especially for our dental health and smiles. It is now widely accepted that excess intake of added sugars – defined as sugars found in foods other than grains, vegetables, whole fruit, and milk – leads to dental caries and other systemic health problems including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

The ADA advises just consuming small amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages at mealtimes along with water or unsweetened tea.

 

f)      USE A MOUTHWASH

                                       

According to several research, some mouthwashes are good for your teeth. For instance, a review discovered that mouthwash containing the antibacterial component chlorhexidine helped manage plaque and gingivitis. A meta-analysis found that certain essential oil-infused mouthwashes are also efficient. Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad smelling breath. Rinsing with mouthwash allows you to clean virtually your entire mouth and helps freshen your breath. A twice-daily routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE® Mouthwash can help prevent and treat halitosis. However, mouthwash should not be used to mask an underlying health condition.

To find out which mouthwash is appropriate for their specific requirements, people may choose to consult their dental professional. While mouthwash cannot replace brushing and flossing, it can support these habits.

g)    CUT BACK ON STARCHES AND SUGARY MEALS 

                                                          

Sugar consumption can cause cavities. Studies are emphasizing the important part sugar plays in bad dental health results. Candy and pastries are typical offenders, but many processed meals also include added sugar.

The WHO advises consumers to keep their daily sugar intake around 10% of their total calories. Reducing this to 5 percent, according to the authors of a systematic review, would further lessen the incidence of cavities and other oral issues.

Additionally, according to experts, starchy foods like crackers, bread, chips, and pasta might contribute to tooth decay. According to the ADA, these meals stay in the mouth for a long time and decompose into simple sugars, which acid-producing bacteria feed on. Tooth decay may result from this acid.

The ADA advises consuming lots of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products without added sugar in place of starchy foods.

 

h)    AVOID SMOKING

                                 

    Smoking weakens the immune system of the body, making it more challenging for the body to recover tissues, including those in the mouth. The CDC lists smoking as a risk factor for gum disease, and the ADA cautions smokers that their body may heal slowly following dental work. Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco cause oral cancer, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Untreated tooth decay is higher in people who smoke cigarettes. Over 40% of adults aged 20 to 64 who currently smoke cigarettes have untreated tooth decay.

Smoking alters the way the mouth looks by causing the teeth and tongue to yellow and can make breath smell terrible.

 

IN CONCLUSION

Maintaining good dental hygiene from childhood through adulthood can aid in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. People can prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by brushing and flossing regularly, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and scheduling routine dental appointments.

We are what we repeatedly do.

Acknowledgement: free downloaded pictures for illustration from https://www.pexels.com/