By Annette Campbell
Picture: Getty Images. Posed by models.
Knowledge is nearly always the greatest weapon we have when it comes to staying healthy. And that's definitely the case for dental care too.
The more we know and understand about out teeth, the better equipped we'll be to care for them properly.
"Until the 1970s, we thought the act of brushing our teeth was simply to remove food scraps and make our mouths feel fresher," explains Dr John Matthews, the Federal President of the Australian Dental Association. "But then we recognised that dental plaque is the main cause of gum problems and dental decay. So we had to rethink our techniques."
This Dental Health Week, Dr Matthews shares his advice to bring us up-to-date on things we all should know about our pearly whites.
Flossing is as important as brushing
Dental floss comes in many forms — waxed, un-waxed, and as a 'tape' — and it's for getting into where the trouble starts: between the teeth.
Plaque is linked to heart disease
Roughly 700 bacteria live in our mouths — the same way as they do in the gut — and some are harmonious and harmless. But certain others override the 'good' bacteria in the mouth and form plaque — which can travel through the bloodstream and into the heart. It doesn't cause heart disease as such, but if you already have heart disease, it can definitely contribute to that and worsen the condition.
Brushing technique
The average Australian takes 20 seconds to brush their teeth, and that's not enough to be thorough. At the ADA we advise you should brush for at least two minutes. Keep the pressure light and use a toothbrush that's small enough to reach the teeth right at the back of your mouth.
As far as toothbrushes go, it's really personal choice between electric and manual. The electric ones are smaller so can easily get into areas to clean. Also they're very useful for people with disabilities — and a great novelty for kids. But you can do as good a job with a manual brush. Use a soft brush — though not so soft it's ineffective.
Toothpaste
A big factor with toothpaste is abrasiveness, as it can scratch and wear down your tooth enamel. If a toothpaste is too abrasive, it will taste gritty. Using a hard toothbrush, combined with abrasive toothpaste and over-brushing will prematurely age teeth.
Mouth rinses
We're ambivalent about mouth rinses because they contain alcohol, but if you do use a mouthwash, use one that's antibacterial and with fluoride. They do come in handy if you have an infection in your gums and you need to use something short-term to treat it.
Your tongue
If your tongue looks pink and healthy, it's probably OK. But a build-up of bacteria on your tongue causes bad breath, and so you can certainly clean your tongue either by brushing gently with your toothbrush, or using a scraper. Some toothbrushes now have tongue scrapers on the back of the head.
Bad breath
Everyone has bad breath first thing in the morning when their mouth is dry, or straight after eating certain foods. But if you seem to have it all the time (and people are probably letting you know), you might need to do something about it. Start with seeing your dentist who might send you to other specialists.
Food
Avoid acidity in foods and drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juices. Lollies and mints just bathe your teeth in sugar, so that sort of snacking is really bad long-term.
The best foods for your teeth are crunchy such as apples, pears and carrots. This is not just because they physically clean the teeth surface, but they also stimulate saliva to clean your mouth. Chewing gum provides the same benefit.
If children do need a snack or treat, go for chocolate — it's less bad than a lolly, because at least they get come calcium as well. Cheese, yoghurt and all dairy foods are also fine.
If your child wants a fizzy drink, offer a plain sparkling mineral or soda water. The bubbles actually help clean the mouth.
Visit your dentist
- For toddlers, if you can't see anything that bothers you, you can probably safely leave their first appointment until they're aged three.
- For older children more prone to decay, they should go every six months.
- For adults who tend not to have any major problems, every 12 months is fine. This depends on your risk profile, so discuss this with your dentist first.
To read more about your teeth and Dental Health Week, visit on the Australian Dental Association's website: www.ada.org.au
