Back to Dental Basics!

I get asked the same question everyday… “How can I keep from getting cavities?”   This is a simple question that deserves a simple answer, so I have broken it down into 5 simple and easy steps that everyone should take to prevent tooth decay. 

1. Brush your teeth twice a day—in the morning after breakfast and at bedtime.  This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.   
2. Floss at least once a day, preferably at bedtime.  Saliva flow that protects teeth during the day shuts down at night and any plaque that is left between the teeth becomes food for the bacteria that cause cavities.
3. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.   Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque.   Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.  If you are prone to cavities or have lots of dental restorations, prescription- strength fluoride toothpaste is available and can be prescribed.
4. Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Late night snacks are especially destructive because they supply bacteria sugar at a time when your teeth are most vulnerable.
5. Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams, x-rays, and cleaning. Every 6 months is typical.

Other helpful but less critical tips to avoid tooth decay are to have sealants placed on all permanent molars and premolars when they erupt into the mouth, have the sealants maintained properly, and use an electric toothbrush.

Patients who follow these 5 steps on a daily basis will avoid getting cavities and will find that their dental appointments will go smoothly and quickly!

By Dr. Andrew Thompson
TenderCare Dental - Portland, Oregon
http://www.facebook.com/TenderCareDental

Flossing, How often? Which ones? Is it necessary?

I often get asked questions such as how often should I floss, is flossing necessary, and what teeth should I floss? My response is the cliché used by dentists the world over. You should only floss the teeth you want to keep! Besides brushing, flossing is the most important thing that you can do to ensure good oral health. 

The purpose of both brushing and flossing is to reduce the number of bacteria which inhabit our mouths. Normally, millions of these microscopic bacteria call your mouth home,  feeding on food particles left on our teeth.


These bacteria produce acid as a result of their feasting, and it is this acid which eats into tooth enamel creating cavities.  If this wasn't bad enough, the bacteria also pour out volatile sulfur compounds creating embarrassing bad breath.


Normally bacteria are found within a mesh of mucus and debris known as plaque. Regular brushing removes the plaque and the bacteria plaque contains. Unfortunately, many people only brush, forgetting that flossing is a key component to any good oral hygiene program.


Flossing removes the bacteria that escape the toothbrush by hiding in the tiny spaces in between teeth. Brushing without flossing is like washing only 65% of your body. The other 35% remains dirty! The American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once a day.

If you do not floss and allow plaque to remain in between teeth it eventually hardens into a substance known as tartar. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed by brushing and  flossing, tartar can only be removed by your dentist. 


Over time, levels of more dangerous types of bacteria build up within tartar. These bacteria produce toxins which irritate and inflame the gums. This condition is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated it can progress to periodontal disease - a condition where bacteria and their toxins invade not only the gums but also the bones and the structures supporting the teeth. This can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and teeth which fall out.


I recommend Glide or any other coated dental floss because they slide easily between teeth. However, any floss that you can get between your teeth and which does not fray or break easily is good. 
Alternatively, if you don't like using dental floss, consider an interdental cleaner (electric flosser) which makes flossing easy and convenient.


If you haven't flossed in a while, you may see a little red tinge of blood on the floss after you use it. This indicates that your gums are slightly inflamed and vastly in need of flossing to remove bacteria. With a regular regimen of flossing this red tinge should go away.


By brushing and flossing we help to eliminate the bacteria which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease thus creating smiles which last a lifetime.


By Dr. Andrew Thompson
TenderCare Dental - Portland, Oregonhttp://www.facebook.com/TenderCareDental