It may also be advisable to brush before lunch
to reduce plaque. The use of chewing gum
with xylitol may be advisable. The
action of chewing stimulates the secretion of saliva that prevents the pH of
the mouth from becoming too acid. The xylitol inhibits the growth of the
bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, which causes cavities. These gums, however, do not replace the
benefits of brushing.
The diseases most frequent are dental cavities
and gingivitis. The best way to prevent disease is with good oral hygiene and
regular reviews with your dentist or the dental hygienist. It is also relevant to monitor the intake of
certain foods, especially those with a high cariogenic potential: sugars such
as glucose or sucrose.
Good health begins with proper brushing, which should be performed right after
each meal or intake of fluids, especially sugary and carbonated drinks, sweets
or snacks, or any food. The brushing
that is most important and should never be missed is after dinner or before
going to bed. There are foods, such as
raw carrots, that when bitten drag plaque.
Other foods, such as cheese, appear to have properties that re-mineralize
enamel.
Brushing must introduce the brush filaments in
the space that forms between the gum and tooth. This requires you to tilt the brush to be
oriented to the line at the tooth and gum. The aim is to clean the plaque that
accumulates in that space which is causing inflammation of the gums, by
chemical irritation. The brushing should
be extended as long as necessary to disrupt the plaque. There is a developer
that makes it possible to identify areas of the teeth where plaque accumulates
more heavily.
You must also pass the
brush to the inside of the cheeks, tongue, palate and gums, if they are
healthy. There are wounds that can be remedied conducting a rinse with salt
water. If you observe any anomaly you should
turn to a specialist.
Another problem that may be due to poor oral hygiene is halitosis. The smelly breath can be influenced by the
presence of decay. It is also affected
by snuff, which increases the likelihood of suffering from tooth decay, and
alcohol, drugs and some states of anxiety can cause dry mouth. Certain foods however, such as garlic, have
antibiotic powers.
After the brush and silk, it may be desirable to rinse with a mouthwash,
especially in cases of gingivitis. The
mouthwash with chlorhexidine seems to possess an important antibacterial
activity.
Oral hygiene is also necessary if there has been regurgitation or vomiting.
Healthy gums do not
bleed with brushing. If there is an
obvious bleeding with a normal brushing, one is likely to be dealing with a
case of gingivitis. The solution is
simple: go to a dentist or dental hygienist to perform a good cleaning with
ultrasound. We recommend that this professional cleaning be carried out at
least 2 times a year.
It is also recommended that the area between the teeth be cleaned with dental
floss at least once a day, using a different part of silk for each space. In rare cases there is an inability to
introduce silk between the teeth. You
should consult with your dentist or dental hygienist should this occur.
