Even with all the advancements that have been made in dentistry, tooth decay is still a leading disease in the world. Estimates suggest that up to 90 percent of school children and almost 100 percent of adults have cavities. Even though our teeth play a vital role in our overall health, most people still don't know how to properly care for them. Take a look around, and you'll see no shortage of people missing teeth, wearing dentures, or suffering from bad breath and bleeding gums. B. Theo Clifford helps clear up the mysteries surrounding proper dental care. The longtime hygienist answers questions such as: Why are you and/or your children suffering from tooth decay? Why are your gums bleeding? Can you safely whiten your teeth yourself? Do you really need that root canal? You don't have to continue suffering from dental problems that are painful, embarrassing, and even life threatening. Even if you're older, you can take proactive steps to improve the health of your teeth and avoid future problems. Written in easy-to-understand language, this guidebook provides the information you need to make good decisions about your teeth. It's time to learn How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime.

How To Keep Your Teeth For A Lifetime

What You Should Know About Caring For Your TeethBy B. Theo Clifford

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2013 B. Theo Clifford
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4759-6450-9

Contents

Illustrations......................................................xiPreface............................................................xiiiAcknowledgments....................................................xviiBrushing Your Teeth................................................1Flossing...........................................................6Toothbrushes.......................................................12Mechanical Toothbrushes And Irrigation Devices.....................14Decay Or Cavities..................................................16Temporary Fillings.................................................18Silver Fillings....................................................22Composite Restorations.............................................27Abscess............................................................30Root Canals........................................................32Teeth Whiteners And Bleaching......................................37Tooth Abrasion And Erosion.........................................41Bleeding Gums......................................................44Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)..................................46Baby Bottle Syndrome...............................................53Caring For Your Children's Teeth...................................55Crowns.............................................................57Bridges............................................................61False Teeth........................................................65Tooth Sensitivity..................................................70Cleaning Your Own Teeth............................................73Tongue Brushing....................................................74Maintaining The Space..............................................75Sealants...........................................................77Implants...........................................................79Mouth Guards.......................................................82Infection Control..................................................83How To Pick A Dentist?.............................................86Dental Specialists.................................................88About The Author...................................................91Glossary...........................................................93Index..............................................................101

Chapter One

BRUSHING YOUR TEETH

Brushing your teeth is the heart of good oral hygiene. It is the single most important thing you can do to protect your teeth, gums and overall oral health. How frequently you brush your teeth is very important. I know you have heard the common instruction to "brush your teeth after every meal and whenever you eat anything." We have been taught this by our parents, teachers, dentists and everyone else. If you have developed a habit of brushing two, or three times a day, do not stop. Keep up the good work! If you have not, do not feel guilty or feel that you are a bad parent if your children don't. In my opinion it is not totally necessary. Now please don't stop reading here, you must hear me out! The following is probably information that you may have never heard before.

Why do we brush

We brush to remove food particles and bacteria. Food particles and bacteria are the causes of plaque, tartar (calculus), decay, gum disease (periodontal disease) and of course bad breath. There are other things that contribute also, but I'll stay with the things that are most common.

When we eat, we coat our teeth with food particles. This is especially true of sticky foods. These particles combine with bacteria and saliva in our mouth and become plaque. Plaque is a major cause of dental problems. Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that adheres to our teeth and produces an acid that stays next to the enamel of our teeth. When left on our teeth for over twelve plus hours, it starts to harden and form tartar (calculus). It attacks our teeth and gums and starts its destructive process. If it is removed during this twelve plus hour period, the cycle is stopped and must be started over. Therefore it is only necessary to brush at least once a day. However, your brushing must be completely effective if you are going to brush only once in a twelve hour period.

It is unlikely that a person will do an effective job of brushing in 1 to 3 minutes a day. If you think you can then you probably have dental problems. To be effective, you will need to spend more time just brushing. To be thorough takes time. As long as I can remember there has been an acceptable time of 2 to 3 minutes spent on brushing by an adult, usually less for a child. The makers of dental products are trying to get you to brush more effectively in those 2 to 3 minutes rather than to brush longer. That is the driving force behind many of the different styles of toothbrushes and mechanical devices available on the market. If you brush effectively in those 2 to 3 minutes, keep at it. However the best thing to do is to increase the amount of time spent brushing.

In my opinion if you brush only once a day then it must be after your last meal or snack and before you go to bed. Think about it. If you brush only in the morning, food particles and bacteria are on your teeth for approximately 24 hours. If you brush before bed, these same particles are only on your teeth from when you eat in the morning until you brush at night. This reduces the opportunity for dental problems to begin. Parents that have their children brush before going to bed are on the right track.

Most of us do not want to stand at a sink for 5 to 10 minutes brushing our teeth. Consequently, we will not develop a habit of doing this. I would recommend that you brush (without toothpaste) while watching TV, reading a book, studying, or working on a computer. That is what I do, however, I do not do it when in a restaurant, working or driving. I have done this for many years with great results. Although I've had a lot of dental work done because of neglect while I was young, I haven't had any new decay for the past 40 years because of neglect. Additionally, my gums do not bleed and are in excellent shape. The bone support for my teeth is outstanding.

When I brush this way without toothpaste, I swallow my saliva. I swallow it all day long anyway so it's not any different. I just had to mentally get use to it. I take the time to brush each tooth and spend the time necessary to get it clean. I do it unconsciously because I'm doing other things and I don't rush through it. My teeth really do feel nice and clean when I'm finished. Another benefit I received is that brushing my teeth helps me to stay awake and alert. It may do the same for you.

Although I do not use toothpaste at the above mentioned times, it is still necessary to rinse my toothbrush each time I finish. If I didn't rinse my toothbrush, I would be using a toothbrush that would contain food debris and bacteria which had been growing since last used. This would be reintroduced into my mouth. That's a way of causing new problems. A rule to follow: Always rinse your toothbrush before and after use.

The time you invest in brushing will generate a greater benefit if you are brushing correctly. When I was a child, I was taught to hold my toothbrush flat against my teeth and sweep it towards the top or biting surface of my teeth. I was brushing my teeth but not cleaning the area around each tooth next to the gum line. We all have a small open area around each tooth, next to the gum line. It is called the sulcus. This is where debris and bacteria are trapped and begin to cause damage. Because I did not know better, I brushed this way for almost twenty years and consequently because I was brushing incorrectly, I have the fillings to prove it. I also had problems with my gums bleeding. I was 25 years old before I learned how to correctly take care of my teeth. Realize it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still learn to correctly take care of your teeth.

Let me make some recommendations for brushing correctly. First, use a soft or extra soft bristled toothbrush. Hold your toothbrush at an angle (about 45 degrees) so the bristles will go underneath your gum tissue into the sulcus. Use a gentle back and forth or circular motion as you brush. You want to get the bristles of your toothbrush under your gum tissue so it can remove the bacteria and debris. This will also remove any plaque on your teeth, all in one motion. Take time to clean as much of the area between your teeth as you can reach with your toothbrush. Do this on all of your teeth; front, back, on top and behind your back teeth.

The areas where plaque turns into tartar the fastest are on the outside of your top molars and on the inside of your lower front teeth. This occurs because these are the areas where saliva enters your mouth and mixes with plaque to form tartar. Because of this fact, you should spend more time brushing these areas.

If you are not sure if you are doing a thorough job of brushing, try using a disclosing tablet or mouth rinse. It is what your dentist or hygienist has you use and then spit out to show what areas you are missing with your toothbrush. You can purchase them at your local drugstore or market. They are a great help if you are trying to get younger children to brush correctly. Be careful when you have them spit it out though. Depending on what type you give them, it can be a mess to cleanup.

If your gum tissue is unhealthy, it may bleed for a while when you begin brushing this way (see the section on bleeding gums). After you have brushed correctly for several weeks and used your dental floss, (see the next section), you will notice your teeth and gums feel better and the bleeding should be stopped. If the bleeding has not stopped, see your dentist. You may need additional help.

If you have difficulty brushing your teeth and getting under your gums, you may want to concentrate on doing each tooth separately until you can do it automatically. The important thing is that each area must be cleaned daily. It does not depend on which type of brush stroke you use, back and forth, circular or a combination of the two. What's important is that you clean each area thoroughly.

FLOSSING

The purpose of dental floss is very misunderstood. Dental floss is not something to use just when you get something caught between your teeth or when you need extra strong string. Although it does have many uses, it is designed to remove food and plaque from between your teeth and below your gum tissue. Flossing, along with brushing properly, is the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

The value of flossing must not be overlooked or underestimated. We are all aware of the importance of brushing our teeth because it has been drilled into us by our parents, teachers, dentist, and the mass media. However, little is said about flossing and yet, it is just as important as brushing if not more important. The value of flossing cannot be stressed enough. If you get your teeth cleaned by a hygienist, they may show you how to floss your teeth. Hopefully, they will also tell you what will happen if you do not floss.

Rarely are we given an explanation of why flossing is necessary. When you brush your teeth you brush 3 sides: the front, the back, and the top. But what about the two surfaces between your teeth? There are still 2 surfaces which for most of us, our toothbrushes will not reach very well. It is vital that these surfaces be cleaned as well. Many of our cavities start between the teeth where the toothbrush will not reach. Floss will reach these areas and it will clean effectively if done correctly.

Fighting tooth decay is not the main reason I feel so strongly about flossing. The main reason is periodontal disease. I have seen people with beautiful teeth, who have no decay but still they lose their teeth. This is because of periodontal disease. Many people think that because their parents lost their teeth when they were young (between 30 and 45) they will too. That may be the case, but it does not have to be. In most cases, you should be able to keep your teeth throughout your life if you keep them clean. This takes more than just brushing.

Let me explain. As we eat and drink, tiny food particles get trapped between our teeth and under our gums. If they are not removed daily, they begin to form plaque that attacks the tooth structure and gums. As it attacks the gum tissue, the gums may get infected or very red and bleed easily when brushed. There may be tenderness and slight swelling. These are the first signs of gum disease or periodontal disease. If you catch it right away and use correct brushing and flossing techniques combined with rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater, you may stop the symptoms yourself in a couple of weeks. You should still have a dentist check you over and have your gums and bone condition evaluated. This condition known as gum disease or gingivitis will be discussed more in the section on periodontal disease.

If you are a beginner at using floss, I recommend that you use waxed floss or one of the types that slides easily between your teeth. There is a reduced chance of damage to your gum tissue while you are learning to maneuver your fingers inside your mouth. The waxed floss does give off a small wax residue, however it is not harmful and you will probably not notice it. If you have teeth that are close together, this type of floss is best because they will slide through the contacts points better. When you get more adept at using floss, you may want to switch to non-waxed type of floss. Both types clean very effectively.

Floss is available in many different sizes. There is fine non-waxed floss which can be used between teeth that are close together, medium sized floss, and what is called dental tape or wide waxed floss. If you have an advanced periodontal condition or large spaces between your teeth, you may want to try using what is called dental ribbon. It is floss with a yarn attached. It has the advantage of covering and polishing a large area very quickly. It should only be used when there is a wide space between the teeth.

How do you use floss

There are several methods for using floss, but I will give you the one I find works best. Because you will be placing your fingers in your mouth, I recommend washing your hands before you start. Take a piece of floss about 24 inches long and wrap it around your two middle fingers, leaving your index fingers free. I recommend using two fingers instead of one so it does not cut off your blood circulation so much. Keep an eye on your finger tips and if they are turning blue, loosen your floss. Wrap it around the fingers several times, enough to keep the floss from sliding free. Wrap the remainder of the floss around the two middle fingers on the other hand. Let out enough floss that you can hold it by applying pressure against it with your index fingers and your thumbs, and have about 1 inch between them (refer to the illustration). As you use the floss you will unwrap it from one hand and wrap it up on the other, thus giving yourself fresh floss when you want it.

Sometimes it is easier to use a mirror when you begin flossing, but you should work at being able to do it without a mirror. You will have to put your fingers inside your mouth to floss correctly and you will use your index fingers and thumbs together, depending upon which teeth you are flossing. Begin by gently sliding the floss between your teeth. Do not snap it between your teeth because you could damage your gum tissue. After you have the floss between your teeth, put your fingers back, or away from the tooth you are flossing. This will wrap the floss around the tooth surface you are going to floss (refer to the illustration). Gently move the floss up and down several times or until the tooth feels clean. It may take some time before you will feel the difference, but it will come. Be sure to take the floss below the gums next to the tooth. This is the space where the gums are unattached to the teeth, or the sulcus. It is vital that this area be cleaned and is one of the main reasons you should floss your teeth. Take the floss as far down as you can without hurting your gums. Do this with every tooth. Do it on teeth that do not have an adjacent tooth next to them and behind your back teeth.

Sometimes when you are flossing and getting your floss under the gum line as you should, you may not be able to get it back up. You may have very tight contacts, a filling between your teeth with an overhang on it, or perhaps you have a crown that the margins hang over a little. It is important that you do not try to pull your floss back up through the contacts. You could pull the crown off, dislodge the filling, or break off the floss between your teeth and not be able to get it out. If you break it off, try using another piece of waxed floss to dislodge it. If you get it through, do not pull it back up. Instead, release the floss from one of your hands and pull it out rather than up. Keep flossing those areas as they will need it even more than other areas. If you get it stuck and cannot dislodge it with your floss, see your dentist and let them dislodge it. Do not try everything you can think of to dislodge it yourself as you could do a lot of damage.

If you are unable to use your fingers inside your mouth, do not give up. There are floss aids which will do the job for you and they work very effectively. They are very good if you are flossing the teeth of someone else such as an elderly or disabled person, or younger children. These people need their teeth flossed also and it will save you additional dental bills if you take the time to do it. Teach them to do it if possible.

If you have a bridge in your mouth, you must floss under it. If you don't, you will develop periodontal disease under the bridge. In time you will lose the bridge and possibly your teeth as well. This can be avoided and the bridge maintained very easily with the use of a device called a floss threader. There are several types of floss threaders made from plastic and wire. They operate by the same principle as a needle and thread. Thread the floss through the end of the floss threader and then run the floss threader under your bridge. Floss the teeth at both ends of your bridge and run it along the bridge to remove any buildup it may have. It is a simple thing to do but it can have some very bad consequences if you neglect to do it.

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Excerpted from How To Keep Your Teeth For A Lifetimeby B. Theo Clifford Copyright © 2013 by B. Theo Clifford. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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