Keeping a Healthy Smile
Do you study late into the night and fall asleep without brushing your teeth? That sets up your teeth for decay and gum disease, and can ruin your smile. Here’s some advice:
Tooth Decay
Sugar and plaque (a build-up of debris and bacteria on teeth) are the cause of decay and gum disease. To prevent them and to keep teeth and gums looking healthy:
- Brush twice a day for three minutes with small circular motions; clean every surface of each tooth (hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle where teeth and gums meet)
- Brush after a meal; if you can’t, rinse your mouth, eat an apple, or chew sugarless gum
- Use any toothpaste with fluoride (avoid baking soda toothpaste – the fluoride in it may become inactive)
- Fluoride in toothpaste, drinking water, and dental treatments kills bacteria, and becomes part of your teeth, making them stronger and more decay- resistant
- Floss your teeth at bedtime – it removes plaque between teeth and below gums (Glide is easy to use but is expensive)
- Get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or when the edges get frayed (the best toothbrushes are soft and carry the ADA seal)
- Mechanical toothbrushes can help, but misuse may harm your teeth (check with your dentist)
- Sugary, gummy and sticky foods like raisins feed the bacteria on your teeth, so eat these at the end of a meal, not as a separate snack
Tooth Injuries
Chipped tooth: can often be easily repaired with cosmetic bonding agents that match the rest of your teeth
Lost tooth: Put the tooth in a glass of milk (if not available, use saliva or keep it in your mouth). Bring it to a dentist right away (within an hour if possible) to have it reimplanted.
Prevention: If you play a sport that involves contact, flying balls, frisbees or elbows, protect your teeth with a good mouth guard – one that is custom made for you. Wear it both during practice and games.
For A Toothache
- Avoid cold and chewy foods
- Take whatever you normally take for a headache (e.g., Tylenol or Advil)
- Apply Orabase with lidocaine
- Avoid tartar control toothpaste (may increase tooth sensitivity)
- Don’t ignore a toothache, hoping that it will go away; it’s likely to get worse and lead to greater problems, so see a dentist promptly
Tips
- Be aware that tobacco, coffee, and tea can cause long-lasting stains (for teeth whitening, get professional guidance)
- If you have mouth sores avoid spicy foods, tobacco, and alcohol (including mouthwashes with alcohol)
- Sores on your lips may be contagious (you can transmit a virus with lipstick, straws, toothbrushes, and intimate contact); use a lip balm with a high SPF when you’re in the sun to avoid recurrences
- For bad breath: have your teeth cleaned professionally; brush your tongue as well as your teeth; avoid garlic, onions, and coffee; drink lots of water to rinse your mouth and keep it moist (check with your dentist if it persists)
Dental Care
See a dentist once or twice a year, and right away if you have:
- Painful or loose teeth, or bleeding gums
- Painful clicking in your jaw, or if you grind your teeth
- Sores or growths in your mouth that recur or don’t heal within two weeks
To find a good dentist, ask a friend, family member, your medical practitioner, or see our referral list at Vaden.