Oral Hygiene

Objectives Identify reasons for keeping your mouth healthy Discuss what causes teeth and gums to become unhealthy Demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as identifying the benefits of both Discuss oral complications that may arise

Teeth Why do we have them? – Eating – Speaking – Esthetics (smiling and self esteem)

Teeth What are they for? – Incisor teeth in the very front, sharpest teeth, built to cut food and shaped to shovel the food toward the back of the mouth.. – Canine corners of the mouth, meant for grasping and tearing food, they have very long roots.

Teeth What are they for? Premolar flat chewing surface because they're meant for crushing food. Molar last teeth towards the back of your mouth, much bigger than the Premolars and have bigger, flatter chewing surfaces because their job is to chew and grind the food into smaller pieces.

Teeth What makes a teeth? – Enamel- White outer surface of tooth, Calcified surface that is stronger than bone. – Dentin-Surface directly beneath enamel that is less calcified, similar to bone, becomes visible with excessive wear to the teeth. – Pulp- Inner most part of the tooth, houses the nerve and blood supply to the tooth. Damage could cause the tooth to die.

What are the common problems? Plaque/Tartar Gum Disease Tooth Decay Bad Breath Ulcers

A sticky film that forms on your teeth from the bacteria, food, and saliva in your mouth.

Without proper care, the acid from this bacteria eats away at your tooth to cause cavities. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.

Tartar- Plaque that is not removed will sit on the teeth and below the gums, will harden or mineralize, thus forming tartar. Tartar is also an irritant to the gum tissue that can cause gingivitis Tartar can only be removed by your dental hygienist

Gingivitis- Caused by the accumulation of plaque on the tooth and under the gum tissue.  gingivitis  healthy Causes the gums to become red, inflamed, and to bleed and hurt when brushing.

Caries development process ©iStockphoto.com ©iStockphoto.comPeter Nguyen ©Sciencephotolibrary.com

The five stages of caries development 1,2 1. Collins WJN, et al. A Handbook for Dental Hygienists. 3rd edition. Oxford: Wright, Clarkson BH, et al. Caries Res 1991;25: Collapse of surface layer to form cavity Irreversible lesion Possible formation of apical abscess Reversible lesion 1. Initial subsurface demineralization Initial subsurface demineralization Extension of demineralized zone towards dentine Extension of demineralized zone towards dentine Collapse of surface layer to form cavity Extension of caries lesion into dentine Extension of caries into pulp

Apthous Stomatitis - Singaw

Bad breath has a variety of causes Bacterial infections Medications and medical conditions Post-nasal drip Poor hygiene (yep, you have to brush teeth more frequently)

How Can I Tell If I Have Bad Breath? Lick the back of your hand, let the saliva dry, then take a whiff. What you smell there is your true breath. Another good way? If you have a trusted friend, ask them to smell your breath. Parents can also tell you if you ask.

How Do I Control My Bad Breath? Practice good oral hygiene. Remember your retainer. If you wear a retainer or have some kind of removable appliance, clean it thoroughly each time you brush. If you have braces, take extra time and care to clean all the nooks and crannies. Your orthodontist is a good source of information about keeping your braces clean. Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar-free gum helps stimulate saliva. This helps cleanse the teeth and gums and prevents dry mouth. Stop using tobacco. Get help and kick the habit. Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Gargling once or twice a day is good for teeth and gums and kills bad-breath bacteria in your mouth.