Plaque
Research has shown that controlling
plaque is important in the control of decay and gum disease. Plaque is neither food or
food residue. Plaque is a clear, sticky deposit of of bacteria that adheres to the surface
of teeth and gum tissue. It is so adherent that it can only be removed by mechanical
cleansing. Plaque contains a variety of different types of bacteria. For this reason,
certain types of plaque are associated with dental decay, others with calculus formation,
and others with the inflammatory response of the gums (gingivitis).
Plaque begins forming on the teeth in as little as 4 hours after
brushing. This is why it is so important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and
floss daily. The rate at which plaque forms and the location in which it develops can vary
between individuals and even between different teeth in the same mouth. One of the prime
areas in which plaque accumulates is at the gingival margin and sulcus where the tooth
meets the gum.
Calculus
Plaque which is not removed regularly by brushing and
flossing can harden into calculus (also called tartar). Calculus is plaque that has
mineralized, forming a tough, crusty deposit that can only be removed by your dentist or
hygienist. These deposits can form above (supragingival) and below (subgingival) the gum
line. Calculus deposits are a significant contributing factor in periodontal disease
because it is always covered by a layer of nonmineralized plaque. The calculus keeps the
plaque close to the gingival tissue and makes it much more difficult to remove the plaque
bacteria. Thorough removal of these deposits is necessary to prevent the progression of
periodontal disease.
Some people form heavy calculus deposits rapidly while others
form little or no mineralized deposits. This is due to differences in the saliva, the
types of plaque bacteria, and dietary factors. One can help reduce the formation of
calculus by brushing with and ADA-accepted tartar control toothpaste and by having regular
professional cleanings every 6 months or more frequently as recommended by your dentist or
hygienist.
The prevention of gum disease and decay requires a life-long
commitment to fighting plaque and calculus formation.
Solution
Brushing
Hard bristles were once recommended but are now thought to be too
abrasive to the teeth and gums. We now suggest a soft, rounded-end nylon bristle brush.
Be sure to discard brushes when the bristles are bent or frayed or approximately every
three to four months.
How To Brush
Begin by placing the head of the brush beside your teeth, with
the bristles angled against the gum line (where the teeth and gums meet ). Think of the
brush as both a toothbrush and a gum brush. With the bristles contacting both tooth and
gum, move the brush back and forth several times across each tooth individually.
Use a short stroke and a gentle scrubbing motion, as if the goal
were to massage the gum. Don't try to force the bristles under the gum line; that will
happen naturally, especially with a brush that has soft, flexible bristles.
Brush the outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Then use
the same short back-and-forth strokes on the inside surfaces. Try to concentrate harder on
the inside surfaces; studies show they're more often neglected. For the upper and lower
front teeth, brush the inside surfaces by using the brush vertically and making several
gentle up--and-down strokes over the teeth and gums.
Finish up by lightly scrubbing the chewing surfaces of the upper
and lower teeth. You should also brush your tongue for a fresher breath.
Flossing
With all of the wonders of modern man available to you
there is no better way to clean the sides of your teeth than DENTAL FLOSS. Inexpensive,
readily available and easy to use. A modern wonder, maybe not. But it is and has always
been an excellent tool in the fight against dental decay and periodontal disease. There
are many types of dental floss available in your local drugstore. Please speak with our
hygienist regarding the best floss for your particular set of dental needs.
How To Floss
You should floss under both sides of each flap of gum
tissue between your teeth. The following technique has proven to be very effective: Break
off about 18 inches of floss and wind a good bit of it around one of your middle fingers.
Wind the rest around the middle finger of the other hand. Grasp the floss with the thumb
and forefinger of each hand, leaving about an inch of floss between the two hands to work
with.
Pull the floss taut and use a gentle sawing motion to
insert it between the two teeth. When the floss reaches the tip of the triangular gum
flap, curve the floss into a C Shape against one of the teeth. Then slide the floss gently
into the space between the tooth and the gum until you feel resistance. Holding the floss
tightly against the tooth, scrape up and down five or six times along the side of the
tooth. Without removing the floss, curve it around the adjacent tooth and scrape that one
too. Repeat on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the far sides of your rear teeth. When
the floss becomes frayed or soiled, a turn of each middle finger brings out a fresh
section of floss. After flossing, rinse vigorously with water.
Flossing Problems
If you don't like manipulating floss, try one of the
commercial floss holders. They have limited flexibility, however, and you must use them
with care to avoid injuring the gum. You may have trouble working with the floss between
certain teeth, or the floss may consistently break or tear in certain areas. Several
causes are possible, including calculus buildup, or improperly installed fillings. Please
let us know if this problem occurs. Flossing between bridges requires additional
instruction and the use of floss . Alternatives to floss includes such things as
StimudentsR, Perio-AidsR or Plac-piksR. Please discuss these tools with your dentist or
hygienist before using them. None of these are as good as floss in tight areas between
teeth.
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