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| Keeping teeth healthy throughout life requires effort – regular visits to the dentist are one aspect, the other is daily routines at home. With the right care you not only benefit from healthier teeth and better oral hygiene, you also shorten the time spent in the dentist's chair. Caries and gingivitis are the most common dental problems. In the short term, these problems can be kept at bay with chlorhexidine mouthrinse. In the longer term, only fluoride from toothpaste has a significant effect on caries. Besides these, there are two other simple methods of prevention, which are effective if carried out properly. Toothbrushing: Use a soft textured toothbrush. Hard filaments are too abrasive on the teeth and gums. Brush using small circular movements on the margin of the tooth and gum. Start with the difficult to reach places: the outer surfaces at the back of the upper jaw and the inner surfaces of the molars along the lower jaw. Flossing: Use a strong, flat, waxed dental floss. Take a piece about 40 cm long, roll the ends around the middle fingers of both hands. Take a small length of the floss – about 2 cm long – stretch it over the index fingers or thumbs. Slide the floss into the gaps between the teeth. Rub the side of one tooth 3-4 times and repeat on the side of the other tooth – the floss should reach under the gum margin so that it tickles. Slide the floss out again. Take a fresh length of floss after cleaning 2 or 3 gaps, or if the floss starts to fray. It may seem difficult to begin with, but the technique quickly becomes easier with practice, and will only take 2 minutes to get all the way round. Flossing once a day is enough – preferably in the evening. If you have large gaps between your teeth, you can use an interdental brush. Insert the brush fully into the gap, then move it in and out a couple of times – preferably from different angles. A combination of floss and an interdental brush can be used if you have both large and small gaps between your teeth. If you both brush and floss your teeth daily, you will have better teeth, and treatment at the dentist will be a lot easier. |
