Oral surgeries are usually performed to treat more serious cases of periodontal disease. Certain dental surgeries can also be done to replace or fix missing or broken teeth caused by an accident. Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that are placed on the back teeth, or molars, to help prevent cavities. Your dentist may recommend a sealant for your children as soon as they get their first molars, at around age six, and again when they get their second set of molars around age 12. Your dentist might tap or scrape at your teeth with various tools or instruments to assist with a diagnosis. A technician at the dentist’s office will take dental X-rays of your mouth, making sure to get an image of each of your teeth.
Treatment is costly and lengthy and sometimes can even lead to tooth loss, resulting in complications for facial and psychological development and quality of life. Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque. If you develop warning signs like tooth pain, bleeding gums, loose teeth or chronic bad breath, schedule a dental consultation. By treating your oral health problems, you’ll give your overall health a boost as well.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn. Tell your dentist about the medications you take and about changes in your overall health, especially if you’ve recently been ill or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes. Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless.
Position the floss in such a way that it becomes securely wrapped around the interdental surface of the tooth in a C shape. United Way chapters may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. Call “211” to reach a local United Way chapter or visit /find-your-united-way. The NIH NLM collection of links to government, professional, and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on gum disease.
You can take a probiotic supplement or eat foods high in beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. Other popular probiotic foods include sauerkraut, tempeh, and miso. You might need a root canal if tooth decay reaches all the way inside the tooth to the nerve. During a root canal, the nerve is removed and replaced with a filling made of a biocompatible material, usually a combination of a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and adhesive cement. A tooth can crack or break from an injury to the mouth, chewing hard foods, or grinding the teeth at night.
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Toothpaste with fluoride, or alternatives such as nano-hydroxyapatite, is an important tool to readily use when tooth brushing. The fluoride in the dentifrice is an important protective factor against caries, and an important supplement needed to remineralize already affected enamel. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to evaluate the caries inhibiting characteristics of slow release fluoride glass beads.
Ask your dentist what type of cleaning schedule is right for you. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. The earlier you learn proper oral hygiene habits — such as brushing, flossing, and limiting your sugar intake — the easier it’ll be to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues.
Vitamin C is necessary, for example, to prevent scurvy which manifests as serious gum disease. Oral care swabs, commonly known as Toothettes, are small sponges attached to a stick, often used for oral care in hospital or long-term care settings. The sponge is used to moisten and clear the patient’s mouth of debris or thickened saliva in situations where conventional toothbrushing is not an option. They consist of a handle with a piece of wire covered in tapered bristles, designed to be placed into the interdental space for plaque removal. Studies indicate that interdental brushes are equally or more effective than floss when removing plaque and reducing gum inflammation.
This includes a monitoring framework for tracking progress, with measurable targets to be achieved by 2030. Twice-daily tooth brushing with fluoride-containing toothpaste should be encouraged. Adequate exposure to fluoride is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries. Oral diseases disproportionally affect the poor and socially disadvantaged members of society.
