Brushing twice daily

Despite advice on selecting the correct toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing techniques are established to maintain a million dollar smile.

In brushing, the golden rule is to clean with maximum efficiency without hurting your gums or damaging your teeth.

Flossing once daily

Brushing alone is not enough. To prevent infection, swelling, bleeding and receding gums as well as tooth decay, trapped food and other debris needs to be removed between ALL the teeth at least once a day. The best time to floss is in the evening before you brush your teeth.

Rinsing twice daily

• Rinsing with a reputable mouthwash, removes all debris loosened by flossing and brushing.
• It prevents plaque formation
• Teeth are strengthened
• Gum disease and tooth decay is prevented
• Freshens your breath (Major confidence booster!)
• Don’t rinse with water after rinsing with a mouthwash for 30 minutes. This will ensure the effectivity of your mouthwash

TRIPLE your kissability factor: BRUSH, FLOSS, RINSE!

Healthy diet

As in any other discipline, be it Medical or lifestyle related, a balanced healthy diet is essential. In terms of dentistry the same applies, but special attention needs to be given to exclude or limit the intake of the following substances:

Cola drinks: this includes Coke, Coke light, Pepsi and Tab. The phosphoric acid content of these drinks is what causes erosion, demineralization and decay of teeth. Should one occasionally drink Coke, use a straw. This stops it from flushing the teeth.

Energy drinks such as Energade, Lucozade, Powerade and Game are very acidic and cause the same damage as the Cola drinks. Should these drinks be utilized for sport purposes, the mouth should be rinsed frequently with water to neutralize the acidity and remineralize the teeth.

Citrus products are known to be rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients. They can however be the cause of serious erosion of the teeth. To counteract this effect, water can also be used to rinse the mouth after ingesting lemons, oranges and their related juice products.

Sweets and toffees: These stick to teeth and fuel the decay process. Hard suckers and toffees are also known to dislodge fillings and crowns and can even cause tooth fractures

Bi-annual visits to the dentist

The oral cavity should be examined and teeth should be cleaned (oral prophylaxis) every six months.

Bi-annual examinations are far removed from only detecting cavities. Except for identifying new decay on teeth, screening for other pathology such as malignancies and gum disease is also performed.

Whether you are the Queen or Superman, no one is born tartar proof! Scaling and polishing of teeth ensures that the calculus (tartar) accumulated is removed in all of those hard to reach places. This helps to ensure the longevity of your teeth and the health of your gums.

Age Related Prevention

When food or fluid is ingested, the level of acidity rises. This is buffered by your saliva, which is your body’s own defense against plaque formation and decay. Should one ingest highly refined sugars, sticky sweets and toffees and other like substances, the acidity levels remain raised, providing a favourable environment for tooth decay.

For each age group there are specific habits which should be managed carefully to prevent damage to teeth. Parents, remember that you carry responsibility for your child’s teeth until they turn 18!

Infants

From the time the first teeth erupt, brushing needs to commence. This is usually as early as six months when the first lower incisors make their appearance. A first stage toothbrush with a bit of kids’ toothpaste, the size of a match head, can be used to cleanse the teeth.

The infant’s diet is key to preventing tooth decay. Your baby should never sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. If you don’t teach your children to ingest sugar, they won’t crave it. Should your baby sleep with a bottle of milk, tea or juice, the acid levels in the mouth stay raised and decay sets in. This is referred to as baby bottle caries.

This type of decay is often mistaken for tooth decay caused by antibiotics. Doctors often tell the parents this, in order to passify them. This is however a fallacy. Pedodontists will tell you that there is not a single antibiotic on the market which can cause tooth decay. Antibiotics are ingested three to four times daily. This is not enough to cause a consistently raised level of acidity in the mouth. Tetracyclines, if ingested during pregnancy, can cause grayish staing of the child’s permanent teeth.

It is paramount for you to closely consider your child’s diet in collaboration with your pediatrician.

Toddlers

Hard suckers, toffees, excessive intake of energy drinks and cola drinks are the big culprits in this age group. We have long since given up trying to ban sweets and coke from the diet. Follow the following guidelines to maintain healthy teeth:

Brush twice daily, using a stage specific toothbrush and kids’ toothpaste, no larger than pea size. Brush AFTER breakfast and BEFORE going to bed. Under NO circumstances should your child be allowed to go to bed without brushing.

At this age group you should visit the dentist at least once a year.

Intake of sweets should be limited to no more than twice a week. Once midweek and once on weekends.

Soft gelatine sweets, soft chocolates and marshmallows don’t stick to teeth as much as toffees and hard suckers do. Hard suckers and sticky toffees can cause fracture of teeth and dislodge existing fillings.

• The intake of the acidic drinks mentioned in the diet section, should be limited to once a week.
• Should the abovementioned drinks be ingested (once a week max.), a straw should be used.
• Let your child eat all their sweets at once, don’t let them save some for later. This will elicit a once of rise in acidity.
• After eating sweets or ingesting acidic drinks, let your child rinse with water. Water will buffer the acidity in the mouth and will remineralize the teeth.
• REMEMBER: Coke light, Tab and other diet cola drinks are also acidic and are not suitable alternatives
• Water, diluted juice and unsweetened non-acidic drinks are good alternatives.
• Don’t stock any sweets, toffees or any of the other harmful products at home. If it’s not accessible or available, they will not be used.

Waver of liability: The abovementioned are just guidelines. Children’s sugar intake at school, parties etc. can not always be controlled. To prevent decay, intake of all refined sugars, such as sweets and toffees as well as sweetened drinks must be avoided.

Pre-adolescence

Most of the permanent teeth erupt during this stage. Permanent teeth need to last you a lifetime, therefore a strict preventative programme and diet need to be in place.

• Brush twice daily, using a stage specific toothbrush and adult toothpaste, no larger than pea size. Brush AFTER breakfast and BEFORE going to bed. Under NO circumstances should your child be allowed to go to bed without brushing.
• At this age group you should visit the dentist at least once a year.
• Intake of sweets should be limited to no more than twice a week. Once midweek and once on weekends.
• Hard suckers and sticky toffees can cause fracture of teeth and dislodge existing fillings.
• The intake of the acidic drinks mentioned in the diet section, should be limited to once a week.
• Should the abovementioned drinks be ingested (once a week max.), a straw should be used.
• Let your child eat all their sweets at once, don’t let them save some for later. This will elicit a once of rise in acidity.
• After eating sweets or ingesting acidic drinks, let your child rinse with water. Water will buffer the acidity in the mouth and will remineralize the teeth.
• REMEMBER: Coke light, Tab and other diet cola drinks are also acidic and are not suitable alternatives.
• Water, diluted juice and unsweetened non-acidic drinks are good alternatives.
• Don’t stock any sweets, toffees or any of the other harmful products at home. If it’s not accessible or available, they will not be used.

Adolescents

Puberty sets in and the last permanent teeth make their appearance in the oral cavity. Increased responsibility is accompanied by more freedom. A hormonal explosion sets the scene against a backdrop of rebellion and confusion. However, the parent stays responsible for looking after the child’s teeth until adulthood.

Eating disorders such as Bulimia can cause rampant decay of the teeth. Since this often starts in teenage years, it’s important to bring this to the attention of your dentist so as to discreetly restore and prevent damage to the teeth.

• Brush twice daily, using a stage specific toothbrush and kids’ toothpaste, no larger than pea size. Brush AFTER breakfast and BEFORE going to bed. Under NO circumstances should your child be allowed to go to bed without brushing.
• At this age group you should visit the dentist at least once a year.
• Intake of sweets should be limited to no more than twice a week. Once midweek and once on weekends.
• Soft gelatine sweets, soft chocolates and marshmallows don’t stick to teeth as much as toffees and hard suckers do. Hard suckers and sticky toffees can cause fracture of teeth and dislodge existing fillings.
• The intake of the acidic drinks mentioned in the diet section, should be limited to once a week.
• Should the abovementioned drinks be ingested (once a week max.), a straw should be used.
• Let your child eat all their sweets at once, don’t let them save some for later. This will elicit a once of rise in acidity.
• After eating sweets or ingesting acidic drinks, let your child rinse with water. Water will buffer the acidity in the mouth and will remineralize the teeth.
• REMEMBER: Coke light, Tab and other diet cola drinks are also acidic and are not suitable alternatives
• Water, diluted juice and unsweetened non-acidic drinks are good alternatives.
• Don’t stock any sweets, toffees or any of the other harmful products at home. If it’s not accessible or available, they will not be used.

By following these guidelines, not only will the teeth be preserved, your child will be less prone to other conditions such as ADD, hyperactivity, irritability, acquired Diabetes etc.

Waver of liability: The abovementioned are just guidelines. Children’s sugar intake at school, parties etc. can not always be controlled. To prevent decay, intake of all refined sugars, such as sweets and toffees as well as sweetened drinks must be avoided.

Adult

When embarking on a career or exploring life, it’s easy to neglect the principles laid down by your parents. Irreparable damage is usually the result of prolonged negligence and ignorance. Excuses such as deadlines or the lack of time and money are by far outweighed by the regret when your negligence leaves you in a wake of pain and toothlesness.

Unless you have a mother, spouse or PA co-ordinating your healthcare, one has to be consistent in going for those bi-annual check-ups and prophylaxis (scaling and polishing).

Flossing DAILY will prevent not only tooth decay but also gum

disease. Not flossing however, will lead to gum disease and subsequently bone loss, tooth mobility and subsequently tooth loss. Brushing alone is not enough.

Flossing will also prevent bad breath. Only your spouse or your dentist will tell you if you have bad breath (if you’re lucky). There are many causes for bad breath, but last week’s chicken sandwich stuck between your molars is a pretty obvious one.

“I floss every day. I can’t understand why my gums bleed and my breath still smells.” Try flossing all your teeth, including the molars. Most of the food gets stuck here.

Pregnant mother

Raised estrogen and progesterone levels give rise to increased blood flow to the gingiva. There is an exaggerated response to any stimulus such as plaque, which elicits inflammation and swelling. Bleeding is caused more readily during brushing and flossing, unless a thorough oral hygiene regime is in place.

Morning sickness causes raised acidity in the oral cavity which then causes demineralization, erosion and decay. Rinsing out with water regularly and sticking to the five elements of a good oral hygiene regime will prevent damage.

Taking of x-rays (Rontgen Photo’s) should be avoided during pregnancy.

Pregnancy does not cause a deterioration of teeth, neglect however does. This is not without good reason; pregnancy isn’t for ninnys. Fatigue, aches, pains, nausea and emotional turmoil puts taking care of teeth on the back burner. As with adult specific prevention, consistency is of utmost importance.

If your teeth were healthy before pregnancy (according to your dentist), they’ll be healthy after pregnancy should you follow a tight preventative programme.

AVOID taking Tetracycline during pregnancy. This is a type of anti-biotic which can cause staining of your child’s permanent teeth.

Late adulthood

The five elements of good oral health stay the same, but times change and with that our bodies also change. During late adulthood you face the consequences of decisions made in years gone by. Does this mean you need to have all your teeth out? By no means! Once again consistently managing your oral health will ensure you of the longevity of your teeth.

Physiological changes during late adulthood include a decrease in salivary flow and in turn a decrease in the body’s ability to fight decay. However, sticking to a strict hygiene programme and diet will counteract decay.

After many years of brushing too hard, gums recede and roots become exposed or decayed. Food traps appear and periodontal disease sets in. Mobility of teeth follows and subsequent loss is inevitable. Having your teeth regularly scaled and polished will prevent this from happening.