Plaque is the form in which bacteria lives in the mouth. Plaque causes cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal disease or Periodontitis, which affects the bone surrounding the teeth and may lead to tooth loss. In order to keep your mouth clean and healthy, you must practice good oral hygiene every day.

The health of your gums and oral cavity can also affect your overall health. Recent studies have shown a possible link between Periodontitis and other diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and a possible link to premature births. To prevent gum disease from occurring in the first place, be sure to brush twice a day, floss daily and schedule professional cleaning every six months.

Proper nutrition does not only affect your overall health but is also essential for healthy teeth and gums. A well-balanced diet provides your oral tissues and teeth with important nutrients and minerals that they need to stay strong and resist infections. In addition, firm, fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables tend to help clean the teeth and tissues. Soft, sticky foods tend to remain in the grooves and between teeth, producing more plaque.

Each time you consume foods and drinks that contain sugars or starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack your teeth for 20 minutes or more. To reduce damage to your tooth enamel, limit the number of snacks and drinks in-between meals. And when you do snack, choose nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yoghurt or fruit.

The key to keeping a bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practice proper oral hygiene. Throughout your adult life, it’s important to continue to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning. Limit sugary or starchy foods as the bacteria in plaque converts the sugars into acid that attack your tooth enamel and weakens it. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and check-ups.

Here are a few tips for removing the sticky plaque adequately from the teeth:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• When you brush, DON’T RUSH, take enough time to do a thorough job.

• Use the right equipment.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, which can reduce the amount plaque more than a manual brush.  An electric toothbrush is also helpful if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
• Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle aiming the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
• Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air-dry until using it again. Don’t routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
• Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

The tight spaces between your teeth and under the gumline are impossible to reach with a toothbrush. That’s why daily flossing is important.

When you floss:

• BE GENTLE. Guide the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion. Don’t force the floss into your gums. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it against one tooth.
• Take it one tooth at a time. Slide the floss into the space between your gum and tooth. Use the floss to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion.
• Keep it up. If you find it hard to handle floss, use an interdental cleaner — such as interdental brushes or floss holders.
• It doesn’t matter if you brush or floss first. However, flossing before brushing might allow more fluoride from your toothpaste to reach between your teeth.

Next time you are at the Oral Hygienist ask him/her to show you the correct flossing technique.

To further reduce the activity of bacteria and plaque, an Antimicrobial mouth rinse can be used and a Fluoride mouth rinse can also help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Not everyone should use a fluoride mouth rinse. For instance, fluoride rinses are not recommended for children ages 6 or younger because they may swallow them. Always talk to your dentist about any new products you are interested in trying.

A common question these days is “How Can I Help Make My Teeth Look Whiter?”. Regular and thorough cleaning by an oral hygienist will remove most external surface staining caused by food, drinks and tobacco. If stains have been present for years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn external stains.

Call our front desk on 021 423 5808 to book your oral hygiene appointment today!

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