HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH
Always use a soft bristle toothbrush for a thorough but gentle cleaning. Don’t forget to brush after each meal, or at least twice a day. Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle with the bristles pointing towards the gum line. Start by brushing from the outside of the back teeth with a gentle back-and-forth […]
FLUORIDE
Fluoride a naturally occurring element helps prevent tooth decay in two ways: Topically, when applied to erupted teeth Systemically, when ingested during tooth development. Topical fluorides include: toothpastes, mouth rinses, and professionally applied fluoride gels and rinses. Sources of systemic fluorides include: water, dietary fluoride supplements in the forms of tablets, drops or lozenges, and […]
WHITE FILLINGS
White fillings provide natural looking and highly decay resistant surfaces. ADVANTAGES OF WHITE FILLINGS: Since they bond to the tooth, composite fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking. Since broken teeth are very expensive to restore, composites can save a lot of […]
DENTAL DECAY
Dental decay is the same as tooth decay. It is also known as dental caries. It results in a cavity in the tooth and if untreated can spread from the enamel (the hard outer covering of the tooth) into the softer dentine inside. The decay can progress more rapidly in the softer dentine and will […]
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
This is an infection of the gums that can destroy bone and other tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal disease develops when a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque, is allowed to build up on the teeth.
BLEEDING GUMS
Bleeding gums is usually a sign of gum disease. In the great majority of cases it is a sign of a condition called gingivitis, which just means inflammation of the gums. If gingivitis is not held in check, then it can develop into a more serious condition called periodontal disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease […]
BAD BREATH
Bad breath is a very common problem. The medical name for bad breath is halitosis. Other people generally notice bad breath before the individual does. It may be difficult to tell someone they have bad breath without causing them embarrassment, and many people worry about bad breath even if they do not have it. Most […]
HOW TO FLOSS
Wind 18″ of floss around your two middle fingers. Gently guide the floss between teeth. To remove plaque and debris, gently move the floss up and down against the tooth. As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss each time.