Word Of Mouth: Tips On Dental Hygiene

By Jan Howard

It’s as important to brush your tongue and gums as it is your teeth, students of Fones School of Dental Hygiene of the University of Bridgeport said recently.

The students spoke on “Brushing Up on Dental Health” recently at the Parish Center of St Rose Church, sponsored by the Parish Nurse Program.

 The program, which addressed adult mouth care, emphasized the need for thorough brushing and flossing to avoid tooth decay and bad breath.

To prevent halitosis, or bad breath, it is important to brush properly, floss daily, have a healthy diet, and see your dentist.

Bad breath can be caused by diet, disease, tobacco use, dry mouth, bacteria under the gum line or between the teeth, coating on the tongue, or plaque buildup.

 Sue Blanchard suggested using a tongue scraper or brush for the tongue. “Go as far back as you can,” she said. “Get the whole surface of the tongue.”

A soft toothbrush should be used for brushing teeth, she said, noting that a hard brush can hurt teeth and gums. A toothbrush should be replaced every three months, she added.

Teeth should be flossed before brushing, and teeth should be brushed for at least four to five minutes. The brush should be at a 45-degree angle in order to remove bacteria from the gum area, Ms Blanchard said. Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, can lead to periodontal disease. “It is important to get the bacteria out to keep the gums healthy,” she added.

“Plaque is very sticky. You need to hit all surfaces with your brush,” Ms Blanchard said. “Use overlapping short strokes.”

Rinsing is important. She suggested using Listerine because it fights bacteria that cause plaque. “Some other mouthwashes don’t kill the bacteria,” she said.

She said a fluoride rinse, such as ACT, should be used after cleaning once a day, preferably before going to bed. “It provides a protective coating on teeth.” It also decreases teeth sensitivity.

Proper flossing is important, Ms Blanchard said. Use an 18-inch length of floss and wrap it around your middle or ring fingers. Then wrap it in a C shape around a tooth under the gum line and buff one tooth at a time.

Floss can be waxed or not, according to preference, Annabelle Santos said. “If there are a lot of fillings, floss that is not waxed could get stuck between the teeth,” she added.

“Dry mouth can be caused by medications or be age related,” Ms Blanchard said. “Saliva contains minerals that protect your teeth.” She suggested drinking a lot of water for dry mouth problems and avoiding the use of mints for bad breath because they cause cavities.

In response to a question about tooth whitening, Ms Blanchard said the process could be sensitive to gums and make teeth more sensitive. Peroxide is used in higher concentration in whitening, and can decrease the enamel on teeth, she said. It can also make the teeth more susceptible to cavities.

Ms Blanchard suggested the baking soda could be used to help whiten teeth.

Bonding is a process in which a tooth colored material is shaped to the teeth and hardened. The process, which might need replacing, could last ten to twenty years. “It depends on how rough you are on them,” she said. “Porcelain veneers last longer and are not susceptible to stains.”