subject: Dental Health In A Changing World [print this page] Although dentists can do wonders like whiten, fix, cure, fill or replace teeth, you still have a lot of things to do. Brush, floss, watch what you eat and the medicines you take, and don't chew on objects, the experts say. An assistant professor in the field of periodontics stated that habitual nibbling on pens, paper clips and other hard objects will bring bad things for your dental health. People who chew on things usually place the items at the same place in the mouth each time. This can cause wear not only on the teeth but also to the gum line, which eventually will pull away from the tooth.
Acidic food like citrus is one thing a lot don't expect. Drinking a lot of citrus drinks though a healthy habit, can still cause unseen damage on the teeth and even gums. If you have to take medicines, never let yourself have a dry mouth. Saliva is a natural cleanser of both teeth and the gums, but it is lowered due to substances like antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, blood pressure medicines and the like.
According to him, people on medications that dry up the mouth must keep rinsing their mouths after they eat and brush their teeth. Sip water throughout the day, or stimulate the saliva flow by chewing paraffin or sugarless gum. The dentist can also provide artificial saliva for extra boost.
During times when you should brush your teeth but could not is most likely when you are not at home. When there is no toothbrush or toothpaste around, it will be sound to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water right after a meal. Using water and swishing it around the mouth to remove materials stuck in the teeth is a very good idea. Using a soft brush in a circular motion must be done when you brush. The gums corrode causing the teeth to get destroyed generally when the teeth is brushed incorrectly and a hard toothbrush is used.
In the fight against tooth decay, dental floss is a strong tool, as said by the associate professor. The dirt stuck between teeth and below gums might not be removed by the toothbrush but using a dental floss can resolve this. Just as long as the flossing method is correct, the kind of floss need not matter, according to him. Move the dental floss on all sides of the teeth then lower it until under the gum line but make sure that you gently rub it and no painful sensation is felt.
People who start using floss may experience some bleeding of the gums at first, but it's nothing to be alarmed about, the professor says. It should stop in a week or two as flossing continues and the gums become healthier. Both children and adults must use dental floss especially when the permanent teeth have set in. It's important for children to use floss because periodontal disease usually starts at an early age, although it may not show up for several years.
