February is Dental Health Month! Do you know all of the amazing facts about those little, white, hard things that you have to brush everyday in your mouth?
Are you flossing properly? What foods and drinks can cause the most cavities?
Answers to all of these questions and more are hear ready for you. So, get ready to test your tooth knowledge! Read on to become a “Mouth Genius”!
Let’s see how much you know about preventing cavities. What are cavities? Well, they are the decay of the tooth enamel. It can cause a lot of problems like tooth loss, infection, and severe pain. Ouch!
Can you guess the Seven Ways to prevent cavities? (Think hard and then check your answers at the bottom of the page.)
Teachers, please share your ideas
Food Guide Pyramid : My Pyramid classroom
Parents, please share your ideas!
Recommendations for Infection Control with Toothbrushes- Do not share toothbrushes. The exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections, a particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases.
- After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright position. If multiple brushes are stored in the same holder, do not allow them to contact each other.
- It is not necessary to soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This practice actually may lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same disinfectant solution is used over a period of time or by multiple users.
- It is also unnecessary to use dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect toothbrushes. These measures may damage the toothbrush.
- Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. Such conditions (a humid environment) are more conducive to bacterial growth than the open air.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommendation of the American Dental Association is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its subsequent loss of mechanical effectiveness, not on its bacterial contamination.
A decision to purchase or use products for toothbrush disinfection requires careful consideration, as the scientific literature does not support this practice at the present time.
Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
Ways to Prevent Cavities
7 ways to prevent cavities
- Brush your teeth
- Floss Daily
- Eat Healthy
- Visit your dentist
- Have sealants placed on your teeth
- Use a mouth rinse/mouth wash
- Chew sugarless gum
Proper Flossing
Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins. If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dental hygienist about the variety of dental floss holders or other cleaning devices that are available.
Wind 18" of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1"- 2" length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
Keep a 1" - 2" length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.
Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.
Brushing Your Teeth Properly
Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth or gums.
Place bristles along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating circular
rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using a up and down and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces
and gumline.
Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Do not brush the tongue.
***Remember to brush your teeth
after every meal and before you go to bed***
Source: Virginia News Link
