Childsafety Australia - Dental Care & Hygeine

KEEP YOUR TEETH FOR LIFE
Dental Health Care & Hygiene

ESSENTIALS OF PREVENTION & CONTROL

Few people like to think about gum disease. But each of us has a chance of experiencing it at some time in our lives.
The best protection against gum disease is good regular oral hygiene. When gums are kept healthy, they not only hold teeth in place, but also create a seal covering the root that blocks bacteria from penetrating sensitive tissue below. Removing plaque from teeth prevents the formation of bacterial toxins which attack gum tissue, causing irritation and disease.
When gum disease does occur, treatment is crucial to heal gingivitis, or to control and stop the progress of periodontitis. Periodontitis may he present without noticeable symptoms, and can occur with or without gingivitis preceding it. Educate yourself about gum disease so that you can better understand your dental professional's oral care recommendations for your specific condition.

Healthy teeth and gums need more than just regular brushing and flossing.

A good diet is essential in keeping up levels of calcium and in avoiding foods which promote tooth decay.

TYPES OF FOOD TO AVOID

All foods with `added sugar' are not recommended. These include: Cordials,sugary,fizzy drinks,cakes, sweet biscuits,lollies,chocolates,sweetened cereals,muesli bars,jams,puddings,stewed fruits,fruits canned in sweetened syrups, sweetened fruit and vegetable juices,chocolate drinks,tea with sugar.
Remember to read labels on foods and to choose foods with no added sugar.

WHAT IS GINGIVITIS ?

Gingivitis is a reversible form of gum disease that occurs as a result of infrequent or incorrect brushing and flossing. Its symptoms, which include gum tenderness, bleeding when brushing or flossing, inflammation and pain, are the result of irritation by bacterial toxins. Gingivitis is best prevented by proper brushing and flossing. Together, they keep plaque from building up on tooth surfaces, between teeth and under the gumline.

Healing the condition

Gingivitis is quickly healed by following an effective plaque removal routine. This includes proper brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush and plaque-fighting toothpaste, flossing and the use of an anti-plaque rinse. When you visit the dentist and hygienist, have your brushing and flossing techniques checked. Also, have your dentist or hygienist examine your gums to verify that gingivitis is the condition that you have.

WHAT IS PERIODONTITUS ?

Because periodontitis may initially occur without visible symptoms, regular dental examinations are essential to early diagnosis, Deepening of the gingival pockets, one of the first signs of the disease, is easily detected during a simple screening procedure.

The symptoms of early periodontitis may include: tooth sensitivity, a feeling of intense pressure between the teeth or bleeding when flossing or brushing.

Advanced periodontitis may be associated with gum recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or loss of teeth.

Periodontitis is prevented by inhibiting penetration of bacteria below the gumline. This is accomplished with proper daily brushing and flossing, and use of an antibacterial rinse.

Controlling the condition

Periodontitis occurs when gums are penetrated by bacterial toxins which attack and inflame the gums, ligaments and bone structure that support teeth. The effects of this inflammation may not be reversible, hut the disease's progress can be controlled and halted. Because periodontitis may initially occur without visible symptoms, regular dental examinations are essential to early diagnosis, Deepening of the gingival pockets, one of the first signs of the disease, is easily detected during a simple screening procedure.
The symptoms of early periodontitis may include: tooth sensitivity, a feeling of intense pressure between the teeth or bleeding when flossing or brushing. Advanced periodontitis may be associated with gum recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or loss of teeth. Periodontitis is prevented by inhibiting penetration of bacteria below the gumline. This is accomplished with proper daily brushing and flossing, and use of an antibacterial rinse. For diagnostic purposes and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, your dental professional uses a periodontal probe to measure the depth of gum pockets and tooth detachment.
Depending on your individual condition, important specific recommendations are made for home care. These can include daily use of special plaque removal devices such as an Interdental Brush, Electric Plaque Removers, Oral Irrigators, recommended Tooth and Gum Care Paste, Floss, Tooth and Gum Care Mouth Rinses.
Periodontitis generally requires an intensive in-surgery treatment programme for plaque removal from teeth and deep gum pockets, and a frequent recall programme for observation of progress. As these are completed, a maintenance programme is established b l shed to prevent recurrence of disease activity. With more advanced periodontitus, the services of a periodontist may be required.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL SUPERVISION

As a parent, you can do a to positively influence your child's health and well-being.
This is especially true with oral care, where the habits that your child observes and learns have a lifelong effect.
Even before your child is born, maternal health conditions and dietary practices affect foetal development of teeth
and gums.
Following birth, your baby's oral care is a primary responsibility. Learning what to expect as your child develops will enable you to establish a good oral hygiene routine for him or her from an early age.

THE BASICS OF PREVENTION

	Maintenance of healthy gums is the best way to protect tooth dentine from exposure. The seal made between healthy gums, teeth and underlying bone provides protection against penetration by bacteria, and keeps highly sensitive root surfaces covered.
	Proper brushing and flossing are the basis for good oral hygiene. Vigorous scrubbing, or the use of hard-bristled toothbrushes or abrasive toothpastes, can destroy tooth enamel and cause gum recession. Plaque missed during brushing can lead to formation of caries and gum disease, Plaque can also irritate exposed root surfaces, contributing to sensitivity.
	Prevention of periodontal disease and caries provides tong- term prevention of sensitivity. Periodontal disease can contribute to root exposure, while caries and wear on restorations can cause an increase in dentine exposure.
	Reduction of acidic food consumption is essential to preserving tooth enamel. Frequent consumption of foods with a high acid content Ä such as citrus fruits and juices Ä can chemically dissolve enamel over a period of time, resulting in exposed dentine.
	Reduction of stress and elimination of habits that wear on teeth are also necessary to preserve tooth enamel, Stress can intensify habits such as chronic clenching or grinding of teeth, nail biting and chewing on hard objects, that wear on enamel and expose underlying dentine.

CORRECT BRUSHING & FLOSSING

Proper brushing: Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45° angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion, do this for about 10 seconds.
Use the same brushing action on all inner and outer tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed for reaching the insides of smaller front teeth.

Proper flossing: Take about 18 inches of floss or tape, and wrap it around your middle lingers until you have a
two-inch length between them.

Guide the floss gently and carefully between upper and lower teeth, using a back-and-forth motion.
Avoid "snapping" the floss against delicate gum tissue. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape, and gently guide it up and under the gumline. Move it up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque.
Use a new section of floss for each tooth. With gingivitis, flossing may initially cause bleeding.