Remember when the only difference
between toothbrushes was color? Now you can choose
from angled necks, narrowed heads, staggered bristles—
how do you know which is your best bet?
Your toothbrush
should bear the American
Dental Association (ADA) stamp of approval (found
on the package). It should also be labeled "soft"
and have round-ended bristles, which means it's sturdy
enough to clean teeth and stimulate gums, but not
scour them.
An electric
toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing
their teeth, although it's not proven to clean better
than a regular toothbrush. And, remember, your toothbrush
gets a daily workout -- replace it every two to three
months, as well as after colds, to keep it in top
shape.
The ingredients in your toothpaste
form a powerful defense, with fluoride as your number
one cavity fighter (see description below). Toothpaste
also contains abrasives. Designed to clean and polish
teeth, abrasives include silica, alumina, calcium
or low levels of baking soda. If a paste is too abrasive,
however, it may damage teeth, creating a place for
bacteria to accumulate.
Many toothpastes
boast anti-plaque or tartar-control abilities. While
plaque can be brushed away, toothpaste manufacturers
must prove to the ADA that their paste prevents gingivitis
in order to make a claim to fighting plaque. Tartar,
on the other hand, can only be removed by a dental
professional. Tartar-control toothpastes won't defeat
existing tartar, but do help prevent further buildup.
Whitening agents may extend the
brightness your teeth have after a professional cleaning.
However, be aware of the effects of hydrogen peroxide,
the active ingredient in many whiteners, which may
damage gums or tooth enamel. Ask your dentist before
whitening at home.
Fluoride helps
teeth retain calcium, which keeps them strong and
slows the production of acids that attack teeth. Unfortunately,
much of California's water supply still does not contain
fluoride, and more people today are drinking bottled
water or using in-home filtration systems, further
reducing fluoride intake. Use a fluoride toothpaste,
and consider a fluoride mouth rinse, which not only
helps fight cavities, especially at the gum line,
but also strengthens teeth.
Waxed, unwaxed,
plain, mint, cinnamon—which floss you choose
is up to you, as long as you use it correctly and
regularly. Rather than leaving floss on the sidelines,
try a floss holder or specially designed pick, which
can help those who find floss difficult to work with.
Your biggest
rival is plaque—the sticky, colorless film that
builds up on your teeth every day. Because it's invisible,
you should periodically use what's known as a "disclosing
solution" to see if you are brushing and flossing
effectively. Swish the solution around in your mouth,
spit, then rinse with water. The color stays on your
teeth where plaque exists, appearing darker where
plaque is thickest.
Disclosing
solutions can be bought at a drugstore, or you can
make your own by mixing two drops of blue or green
food coloring with two teaspoons of water.
Tartar is
the hard deposit on your teeth that only a dentist
can remove. It occurs over time as plaque combines
with the minerals in saliva.
The unwelcome
successor to plaque and tartar is decay. When you
eat, the bacteria in plaque transform the sugars and
starches in food to acids. Each time acid is produced,
it attacks the tooth enamel for about 20 minutes.
If plaque is not removed regularly, the enamel breaks
down, and the teeth eventually decay.
Decay works
from the outside toward the center of the tooth. If
untreated, decay reaches the tooth pulp and forms
an abscess at the root end (usually causing tremendous
pain). At this stage, a root canal or extraction is
necessary.
You may be
surprised to learn that food can be an opponent, too.
It depends on the types of foods you eat, how often
and the length of time the foods remain in your mouth.
Like most
people, you probably eat your share of sugar-laden
snacks and drinks. Sugar in any form, including brown
sugar and the natural sugars found in fruit and dairy
products, is a tooth's worst enemy. Starchy foods
are also suspect and should be eaten only as part
of a meal. Foods such as raisins and other dried fruits
tend to stick to the teeth, enhancing the conditions
for destructive acids. Hard candies, breath mints
and cough drops also stay in the mouth longer than
other foods. The more often you snack, the greater
your risk for hosting enamel-destroying acids.
The good news
is that some foods may actually help counter tooth
decay. Research has shown that peanuts and aged cheddar,
Swiss and Monterey Jack cheeses may actually inhibit
or neutralize the acids that cause cavities.
Brushing after
meals and snacks is essential and, combined with a
balanced diet, will help beat disease and decay at
their own game and ensure strong teeth and gums.
Back
to preventive/general dental health
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