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Good Dental Care
at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM
Are you sure you are doing everything to keep your teeth and gums their healthiest? We can brush vigorously and still not demonstrate good dental hygiene. Suzanne's guest Dr. Louis Rose, dentist and doctor, guides us in understanding the natural changes that occur to our teeth and gums as we grow older, reinforces how important flossing is, and advises us that electric toothbrushes can be very helpful to those with arthritis.
Because of his extraordinary background in both dentistry and medicine, Dr. Rose knows first hand the relationship of tooth decay and gum disease to our overall health. Neglecting treatment for periodontal disease can endanger the entire body and contribute to such conditions as osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. What to do? What is good dental care?
Well, according to Dr. Rose this means taking care of your teeth and gums at home with the proper products and getting regular dental check-ups. The goal with any dental care is to strengthen tooth enamel, reduce decay and prevent bone loss. You can remove much of the plaque build up on a day-to-day basis, but only your dentist or hygienist can do the type of plaque removal needed to prevent periodontal disease.
Daily Hygiene
- Selecting your Toothbrush:
There are so many on the market and each manufacturer claims that their brand is best. Look for the ADA American Dental Association seal. For those with arthritis, poor dexterity or coordination limitations Electric toothbrushes can prove extraordinarily effective. Select a brush with a soft head. Medium hard bristles can irritate your gums and push them away from the teeth.
Change your toothbrush
- Brushing:
Brush with a dry toothbrush at a 45-degree angle for about a minute.
Then brush with your toothpaste.
If you can't brush after a meal, rinse with water and reduce bacteria by 30%.
- Flossing:
Flossing is probably the single most important thing you can do for your teeth. There are plenty of types on the market. Find one that works for you. If you have arthritis, there are brands that are designed to be easy to use (for example, Glide, which moves through the teeth with ease and doesn't shred).
- Selecting Toothpaste and Mouthwash:
Check with your dentist.
- Regular checkups are a must.
If all is well and there is not tooth decay or periodontal disease. Your dentist will probably have you keep doing what you're doing. If you have any problems, your dentist can handle them in a timely fashion or refer you to a specialist or specialists who can. Working with your dental care professionals can save you tremendous amounts time and energy and spare you pain, tooth loss and infectious disease.
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