Teeth and gums play an important role in maintaining a healthy body in general but sometimes it is difficult to find the best way to care for them. Your teeth and gums are made up of various body tissues, all of which must be nourished and maintained to achieve optimal health. It is important to take care of your teeth and gums at every stage of life, from before birth to adulthood.
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Part 1 of 3: Cleaning Teeth and Gums
Step 1. Choose the right toothbrush
Choosing a toothbrush at the store can be confusing; the variety of special features, even colors, can leave you confused in the dental aisle. Choosing the right toothbrush is more important than buying the most expensive toothbrush with many features. Things that must be on a toothbrush include:
- The right size. Large toothbrushes are more difficult to move in the mouth. Generally, a toothbrush suitable for adults is 1.3cm wide and 2.5cm high.
- Proper bristle sturdiness. Toothbrush bristles are usually classified as “soft”, “medium”, or “hard”. Generally people choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, which has the flexibility to clean the area near the gums without causing the gums to bleed.
- Confession. Check if the toothbrush of your choice is approved by the relevant health agency. An unauthorized toothbrush can still be used, but a legitimate one will give you peace of mind.
- Manual or electric? There is no right answer when choosing between a manual and electric toothbrush. As long as you brush your teeth regularly, you will have healthy teeth. If you choose an electric toothbrush, make sure it moves in a circular motion, which is more effective at removing plaque.
Step 2. Brush your teeth well at least twice a day to keep your teeth strong
Regular brushing of teeth prevents cavities and tooth decay, ensuring their strength and function. With good care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy until you're old. The healthier your teeth and gums, the less risk of tooth decay and gum disease. As much as possible brush your teeth after eating.
- Position the toothbrush 45 degrees to the gum line, then move the brush across the surface of your teeth in a circular motion from top to bottom.
- Do not press the toothbrush too hard when brushing your teeth. Let the tips of the bristles reach between your teeth.
- Brush the inside, outside, and surfaces of the teeth used for chewing, making sure all nooks and crannies are cleaned properly.
- Pay more attention to the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper back teeth because these two parts are more at risk of tartar.
- Brush your teeth for two to three minutes. When you're done, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.
Step 3. Make sure you floss every day
Flossing regularly (usually once a day) and thoroughly is a good way to ensure that your teeth are free of cavities and decay. You can choose between nylon (or multifilament) yarn or PTFE (monofilament) yarn. Although PTFE floss is slightly more expensive and less prone to tearing, any floss can remove dental plaque and debris effectively.
- Remove about 45cm of dental floss from the package.
- Wrap the floss tightly around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving 2.5cm of floss for cleaning teeth.
- Clean the upper teeth first, then the lower teeth.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefinger and gently slide the floss between your teeth in a back and forth motion.
- Never move the floss too hard as this can damage the gum tissue.
- Once the floss reaches the gum line, make a “C” shape around the tooth and do the same in the space between the tooth and the gum.
- Rub the floss on the sides of the teeth up and down, away from the gums.
- Always use a clean section of floss as you move from one tooth to another.
- Clean the back molars carefully.
Step 4. Use a tongue brush, cleanser, or toothbrush to gently clean the tongue
In addition to using a toothbrush and dental floss, you can make your mouth fresher and cleaner by using a tongue cleaner. The tongue can be a hotbed of bacteria and food debris, so cleaning the tongue can improve overall oral hygiene.
- Use a tongue scraper by placing it on top of your tongue and pulling it forward.
- Toothbrushes, although not as effective as tongue scrubbers, can still be used to clean the tongue and promote oral health.
- A tongue brush with bristles can clean the tongue as well as a tongue scrubber. You can even buy a toothbrush that has a tongue brush on the back.
Step 5. Massage your gums
Gum massage is usually associated with smoother blood circulation to the gums and increased nutrients and oxygen while removing food debris from the gum tissue. You can massage the gums with your fingers to help remove food debris.
- Press your index finger against the gums and make gentle circular motions to stimulate the gums.
- Massage thoroughly, and finish with a mouthwash or warm salt water.
- Be aware that massaging your gums can increase sensitivity. The American Academy of Periodontology warns that increased circulation to the gums can increase the intensity of irritation sensitivity from dental plaque and food debris.
Step 6. Add fluoride in daily health care
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Fluoride can even help repair damaged teeth if it's still in its early stages.
- You can increase your fluoride intake by drinking tap water. Many public water systems add fluoride to the water to improve the dental health of their community members.
- You can also apply fluoride directly to your teeth. While there are many products that contain fluoride, you can get stronger fluoride concentrations from prescription toothpaste or mouthwash products.
Step 7. Take care of your toothbrush
Brushing your teeth is an important part of daily oral hygiene, but taking care of your toothbrush is equally important to avoid the risk of infection or contamination.
- Replace your toothbrush if it is worn or the bristles are damaged, every three or four months. You should also buy a new toothbrush after a cold, sore throat, or similar illness.
- Do not share toothbrushes with other people. Sharing toothbrushes can increase the risk of oral infections. People who have weak immune systems or infectious diseases should not share toothbrushes or other oral hygiene tools.
- Wash your toothbrush with tap water after every toothbrush to remove any remaining toothpaste and other debris. Place your toothbrush upright and let it dry. Keep your toothbrush separate from other people's toothbrushes to prevent possible contamination.
- Do not cover or store the toothbrush in a closed place for a long time. If not allowed to dry, the toothbrush becomes a fertile place for the growth of microorganisms. Enclosed places can increase the toothbrush's exposure to microorganisms, and increase the risk of infection.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Healthy Habits for Oral Care
Step 1. Maintain a healthy diet to protect teeth and gums
Make sure you eat a variety of healthy foods and limit your consumption of foods that are high in starch or sugar. Starch and sugar increase mouth acid and can eventually damage teeth.
- Limit consumption of fast food / soda or other sweet and sticky foods. This type of food sticks to the teeth and is converted into acid by the bacteria that live in the mouth. Bacteria, acids, food debris, and saliva attached to the teeth will combine to form dental plaque, which serves as the basis for the formation of tartar. Acid and plaque will also damage the structure of tooth enamel, causing cavities.
- Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and other healthy foods such as whole-grain chocolate, and breads of various whole grains.
- Drinking a glass of milk is a good source of calcium, it is important to maintain the density of teeth.
- Although Vitamin D is believed to help reduce tooth decay, this has not been definitively proven. Don't rely on vitamin supplements to keep your teeth healthy.
Step 2. Drink enough water
You can "clean up" leftovers after eating by drinking fresh water. In addition to having various other health benefits, water can prevent the formation of dental plaque.
Step 3. Avoid tobacco products
Cigarettes and other tobacco products are very damaging to the gums. Smokers are more prone to gum disease. You may feel that your smoking habit brings some gum problems, ranging from sensitive and bleeding gums, to sore gums.
Step 4. Treat heartburn and eating disorders as soon as possible
Severe heartburn can cause stomach acid to rise into the mouth and erode tooth enamel. The same is true of bulimia, an eating disorder that involves washing the stomach or vomiting after eating. Treat this condition immediately before it damages your health further.
Step 5. Have your mouth checked regularly
Know how your mouth normally looks so you can better evaluate any changes or problems that might arise.
Always watch for discoloration, including patches or warts. Check for broken or discolored teeth, and report any persistent pain or jawline changes to your dentist
Part 3 of 3: Making the Most of a Visit to the Dentist
Step 1. Visit the dentist regularly to detect oral diseases early
Visit the dentist every six months for professional teeth cleaning and polishing.
- The dentist will clean the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line with special tools.
- This will ensure long term gum health and prevent gingival/periodontal/gum disease.
Step 2. Tell your dentist about any concerns about your teeth or mouth
Health conditions that seem unrelated to the mouth can affect oral health, so make sure your dentist knows about:
- Cancer treatment
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease
- New treatment
Step 3. Ask your dentist about sealants
A sealant is a layer that is placed over the teeth to protect them from decay. This coating can only be used on healthy teeth without decay and lasts a long time.
Sealants are generally a good choice for children who are just getting healthy permanent teeth
Step 4. Think of your dentist as a healthcare partner
Discuss concerns, changes, and questions about any procedure or treatment openly. Don't be afraid to ask questions and arm yourself with information. The following questions can help you understand the oral services and treatments that your dentist provides.
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Are there other alternative treatments?
- What is the difference in price and durability between one treatment and another?
- How important is the recommended treatment? What will happen if it is postponed?
- Are there payment options such as insurance, rebates, or installments?
Suggestion
- Diabetics should keep their blood sugar level in check. They should also have a thorough dental check-up three or more times a year if needed.
- Consume sugar-free gum. This increases the production of saliva to "wash" the tooth surface.
- Be careful when using toothpicks, as "digging" with a toothpick can be dangerous.
- If you feel something or increased pressure on your gums or notice that your gums are bleeding, talk to your dentist about the treatment needed as these are early signs and symptoms of gum disease, which will get worse if not treated immediately.
- You can chew neem/margosa twigs once a day to clean your teeth, but make sure the twigs are thoroughly washed and cleaned before use.
