Healthy Smile
- The best preventive measure is excellent oral hygiene. This includes
brushing with a fluoride toothpaste for at least three minutes after breakfast
and before going to bed (play a CD track and dance around the room or use an egg
timer while brushing). We recommend Colgate Total toothpaste because of its new
antibacterial ingredient. The use of a travel toothbrush after lunch is also
encouraged (toothpaste is not necessarily needed). A basic part of oral hygiene
is flossing. We encourage you to floss at least once each day.
- Fluoride is a very important part of the prevention process. Fluoride will
attach to any weakened enamel and strengthen it. Based on recent research, we
are recommending that after brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and rinsing with
water before going to bed, re-brush your teeth again with the fluoride
toothpaste. You may spit the extra toothpaste out, but do not rinse with water.
The idea is to LEAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE ON YOUR TEETH AT
NIGHT. This nightly light fluoride treatment will definitely help prevent decay,
decalcification and gingivitis.
- Minimize eating fermentable carbohydrates - mainly sugars. All candy is in
this category as well as dried fruits. The bacteria that cause decay,
decalcification and gingivitis utilize the fermentable carbohydrates as their
food. The more fermentable carbohydrates in the mouth, the higher the bacterial
count and the more likely problems could occur.
- Minimize drinking soft drinks. There is evidence that the acid from
carbonated soft drinks contributes to the breakdown of the enamel if multiple
soft drinks are ingested each daily. Dr. Pepper and the colas seem to be the
worst.
- The rewards - straight teeth, a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth.
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