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How To Keep Your Teeth For A Lifetime

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Illustrations......................................................xiPreface............................................................xiiiAcknowledgments....................................................xviiBrushing Your Teeth................................................1Flossing...........................................................6Toothbrushes.......................................................12Mechanical Toothbrushes And Irrigation Devices.....................14Decay Or Cavities..................................................16Temporary Fillings.................................................18Silver Fillings....................................................22Composite Restorations.............................................27Abscess............................................................30Root Canals........................................................32Teeth Whiteners And Bleaching......................................37Tooth Abrasion And Erosion.........................................41Bleeding Gums......................................................44Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)..................................46Baby Bottle Syndrome...............................................53Caring For Your Children's Teeth...................................55Crowns.............................................................57Bridges............................................................61False Teeth........................................................65Tooth Sensitivity..................................................70Cleaning Your Own Teeth............................................73Tongue Brushing....................................................74Maintaining The Space..............................................75Sealants...........................................................77Implants...........................................................79Mouth Guards.......................................................82Infection Control..................................................83How To Pick A Dentist?.............................................86Dental Specialists.................................................88About The Author...................................................91Glossary...........................................................93Index..............................................................101

Chapter One

Brushing your teeth is the heart of good oral hygiene. It is the single most important thing you can do to protect your teeth, gums and overall oral health. How frequently you brush your teeth is very important. I know you have heard the common instruction to "brush your teeth after every meal and whenever you eat anything." We have been taught this by our parents, teachers, dentists and everyone else. If you have developed a habit of brushing two, or three times a day, do not stop. Keep up the good work! If you have not, do not feel guilty or feel that you are a bad parent if your children don't. In my opinion it is not totally necessary. Now please don't stop reading here, you must hear me out! The following is probably information that you may have never heard before.

Why do we brush

We brush to remove food particles and bacteria. Food particles and bacteria are the causes of plaque, tartar (calculus), decay, gum disease (periodontal disease) and of course bad breath. There are other things that contribute also, but I'll stay with the things that are most common.

When we eat, we coat our teeth with food particles. This is especially true of sticky foods. These particles combine with bacteria and saliva in our mouth and become plaque. Plaque is a major cause of dental problems. Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that adheres to our teeth and produces an acid that stays next to the enamel of our teeth. When left on our teeth for over twelve plus hours, it starts to harden and form tartar (calculus). It attacks our teeth and gums and starts its destructive process. If it is removed during this twelve plus hour period, the cycle is stopped and must be started over. Therefore it is only necessary to brush at least once a day. However, your brushing must be completely effective if you are going to brush only once in a twelve hour period.

It is unlikely that a person will do an effective job of brushing in 1 to 3 minutes a day. If you think you can then you probably have dental problems. To be effective, you will need to spend more time just brushing. To be thorough takes time. As long as I can remember there has been an acceptable time of 2 to 3 minutes spent on brushing by an adult, usually less for a child. The makers of dental products are trying to get you to brush more effectively in those 2 to 3 minutes rather than to brush longer. That is the driving force behind many of the different styles of toothbrushes and mechanical devices available on the market. If you brush effectively in those 2 to 3 minutes, keep at it. However the best thing to do is to increase the amount of time spent brushing.

In my opinion if you brush only once a day then it must be after your last meal or snack and before you go to bed. Think about it. If you brush only in the morning, food particles and bacteria are on your teeth for approximately 24 hours. If you brush before bed, these same particles are only on your teeth from when you eat in the morning until you brush at night. This reduces the opportunity for dental problems to begin. Parents that have their children brush before going to bed are on the right track.

Most of us do not want to stand at a sink for 5 to 10 minutes brushing our teeth. Consequently, we will not develop a habit of doing this. I would recommend that you brush (without toothpaste) while watching TV, reading a book, studying, or working on a computer. That is what I do, however, I do not do it when in a restaurant, working or driving. I have done this for many years with great results. Although I've had a lot of dental work done because of neglect while I was young, I haven't had any new decay for the past 40 years because of neglect. Additionally, my gums do not bleed and are in excellent shape. The bone support for my teeth is outstanding.

When I brush this way without toothpaste, I swallow my saliva. I swallow it all day long anyway so it's not any different. I just had to mentally get use to it. I take the time to brush each tooth and spend the time necessary to get it clean. I do it unconsciously because I'm doing other things and I don't rush through it. My teeth really do feel nice and clean when I'm finished. Another benefit I received is that brushing my teeth helps me to stay awake and alert. It may do the same for you.

Although I do not use toothpaste at the above mentioned times, it is still necessary to rinse my toothbrush each time I finish. If I didn't rinse my toothbrush, I would be using a toothbrush that would contain food debris and bacteria which had been growing since last used. This would be reintroduced into my mouth. That's a way of causing new problems. A rule to follow: Always rinse your toothbrush before and after use.

The time you invest in brushing will generate a greater benefit if you are brushing correctly. When I was a child, I was taught to hold my toothbrush flat against my teeth and sweep it towards...