PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

F o r t u n a t e l y, most cavities can be prevented
and early gum disease can almost always be
reversed—but you’ll have to make a commitment
to taking better care of your teeth. Here
are some important steps to take:
• Have your teeth checked and cleaned at
least twice a year—more often if your dentist
suggests it.
• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride
toothpaste—if possible after every meal. Use a soft bristled brush. Be sure to
clean the inside surfaces of the teeth (the side closest to your tongue) as
well as the outside surfaces. Replace your brush every three months or
whenever the bristles fray.
• Floss every day. Plaque usually builds up along the gumline (where the
teeth and gums meet) and in-between the teeth. Your toothbrush can take
care of the gumline, but it can’t get to the spaces between the teeth. Dental
floss can. If you aren’t sure how to floss, your dentist or hygienist can show
you.
• Brush your tongue or use a scraper to remove the bacteria that gathers
towards the back of your tongue.
• Eat crunchy foods like apples and carrots. They actually help reduce plaque
buildup on the surfaces of the teeth and may even help reduce coffee
stains.
• Avoid sugary snacks and soft drinks between meals. These foods quickly
convert to plaque. If you crave something sweet, try a piece of fruit instead.
• Drink lots of water. Saliva helps reduce plaque by washing it away. But age
and some medications may make your mouth dry and more susceptible to
plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum disease. Chewing sugarless gum is
one way to stimulate saliva.
• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Besides staining your teeth, it can cause bad
breath and lead to oral cancer.
• Avoid chewing hard candies or anything else that might damage your
t e e t h

• Protect yourself. In many sports there’s a risk of mouth injuries (from
pucks, balls, racquets and elbows). You can reduce the chance of doing
long-term damage to your teeth by always wearing a mouth guard.
• If you have dentures, most of the suggestions above apply to dentures as
well as your natural teeth.

OTHER POSSIBLE DENTAL PROBLEMS

• Sensitivity to hot or cold. When gums recede, they expose some of the root
of the tooth, which can be extremely sensitive to temperature changes.
• Bad breath (also called halitosis). Bad breath can be caused by smoking,
eating spicy or smelly foods, or poor brushing. However, if you have bad
breath that won’t go away no matter how much you brush your teeth or
how much mouthwash you use, you may have a serious dental or medical
problem. See your dentist right away.