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health
SEPTEMBER 15 | 2016 | DEFENDER
1B
Defender Special Edition
5
tips for dental care
Whether you are 80 or 8, oral health is important. It’s estimated that 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year, even though regular examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease. Here are some tips from the American Dental Association (ADA).
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Regular dental visits can help spot problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. Visiting your dentist is also important because some medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth. Brush your teeth twice a day – especially before bedtime – with a soft-bristled brush. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Use an ADAaccepted fluoride toothpaste. Gently move your toothbrush back and forth in short strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Clean inside the front teeth with up-and-down strokes. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh. Clean between teeth daily with floss to help remove plaque and food particles.
Eat a balanced diet, limit between-meal snacks and drink plenty of water. Beware of foods containing sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay.
Bad breath causes, solutions
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common and unpleasant problem. According to the American Dental Association, bad breath can happen anytime because of the hundreds of types of bacteria that naturally live in your mouth. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leave a foul-smelling waste product behind. Here are some tips on preventing bad breath. • Brush and floss your teeth more often. • Drink enough water. When your mouth doesn’t have enough moisture to produce saliva, odor-causing bacteria can develop. • Be aware of foods that can cause bad breath, such as garlic, onions, various spicy foods, coffee and alcohol. • Take removable dentures out at night and clean them thoroughly. • Use a mouthwash that can help reduce plaque and gingivitis and freshen breath. Mouthwash, however, is only a temporary solution, as are breath mints and gum. The longer you wait to brush and floss, the more likely your breath will offend.
Parents seek oral care on child’s first birthday If you’re the parent of a little one, be aware that their first dental visit should coincide with their first birthday. “Current guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing a dental home by the age of 1,” said Dr. Esther Yang, a pediatric dentist with Texas Children’s Hospital. “The question many parents and practitioners ask is, ‘Why so early and what will the dentist do for my baby at that visit?’ The main reason would be education and prevention, placing the power into the parent’s hands.” Yang said the dental home is an ongoing relationship between the dentist and patient where all aspects of oral health care can be delivered, such as comprehensive care, prevention, dietary counseling and dental trauma care. “At the first visit, the dentist will perform a clinical exam identifying both normal and abnormal oral structures,” Yang said. “The exam is generally minimal and noninvasive. Many times perform-
ing the exam teaches the parents how to open the child’s mouth and identify normal structures. “Tricks to gently maneuver the mouth and teeth so as not to get bitten can be quite helpful. Showing the parents how to clean the infant’s mouth and making the daily habit routine is also part of the first visit,” she said. Yang said that in reviewing healthy dietary habits, the dangers of using a bottle as a pacifier is stressed to the parent. She warned that allowing a child to fall asleep while nursing or bottle feeding bathes the teeth and tongue in milk and debris. “Ideally, dentists discourage frequent nighttime bottle feedings,” she said. Yang added that the most important part of the first visit is allaying fears of the dentist. “Parental apprehension has been proven to be a strong factor in influencing the child’s behavior,” she said. “Therefore, if the parents come in early and have their dental concerns addressed it can pave the way for a healthy, happy dental home.”
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