Prevention Tips

Home Care / Personal

Brush your teeth twice a day. Select a suitable medium bristle toothbrush and a good quality dentifrice (toothpaste), brush your teeth two times daily with proper brushing technique. After brushing store the toothbrush in a clean, dry hygienic place.

Correct Brushing Technique

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums
  • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes
  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth
  • Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath
  • To protect your toothbrush from bacteria, follow the steps listed below.

Do

  • Wash your hands before and after brushing
  • Allow the brush to air dry after each use, since the bacteria most harmful will die when exposed to oxygen
  • Store the toothbrush in an upright position, so water drains from it and it dries faster
  • Replace it every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles appear worn or you've had a cold or flu to prevent possible reinfection
  • Clean the cover or container often to kill potentially harmful bacteria that could cause periodontal diseases, a serious bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bone that holds teeth in the mouth

Do not

  • Share your toothbrush. The exchange of body fluids from sharing toothbrushes could increase the risk for infections
  • Re-use or share the same disinfecting solutions or mouthwashes to disinfect toothbrushes because this can lead to cross-contamination
  • Routinely cover toothbrushes or store in closed containers. This creates a humid environment that is more susceptible to bacterial growth
  • Use a community toothbrush holder. If you must, clean it often and make sure that the bristles do not touch one another
  • Touch the toothpaste tube to your toothbrush

Tooth Decay Prevention

Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting in the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a crown (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger or covering it). Avoiding unnecessary decay simply requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental check-ups, diet control and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.

Most commonly advised Brushing Technique

  • Place bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.\
  • Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion. Move the brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
  • Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gum line. Gently brush using back, forth, and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces.
  • Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
  • Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor producing bacteria.

Technique for using Dental Floss

  • Clean between teeth once a day with dental floss or an inter dental cleaner to remove plaque and debris from areas your toothbrush cannot reach
  • Take adequate floss/tape and wind the floss around the middle fingers (all on one finger and a little on the other finger) and grip floss firmly with index finger and thumb.
  • Guide the floss gently and carefully between upper and lower teeth using a back and forth motion. (Avoid "snapping" the floss against the gum) Curve the floss around the tooth, like a "C" shape and gently guide floss up and down each side of tooth to remove plaque. Don't forget to floss behind the very last tooth. Floss a couple of teeth then move the floss along so you are using a new section of the floss.
  • If your gums bleed or feel tender after flossing, do not be alarmed. The gums often take a little time to get accustomed to flossing. If bleeding persists, see your Periodontist.
  • Visit Dental Care regularly, as minerals within the saliva get deposited to form Calculus, commonly known as (Tartar).