Basic dental care
Brushing
Toothpaste
Sealants
Fluoride

FAQs Index

Q: WHAT IS BASIC DENTAL CARE?

A: Basic dental care involves daily participation by the patient.
Balanced Diet As A Way Of Life: Eat a balance diet containing foods from the five major food groups. Dental professionals recommend limiting snacks between meals.
Brush Twice A Day: The morning and before bed are good times to brush. Proper brushing requires at least two minutes. Pay attention to the gumline, hard to reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restorations.
Clean In Between Teeth Every Day: Brushing alone does not reach everywhere. Proper flossing or the use of interdental cleaners like Stem-U-Dent Plaque Removers are important to clean areas that toothbrushes cannot reach.
Routine Fluoride Application: Fluoride can be provided by topical application to teeth during routine dental exam and cleaning and by prescribed nutritional supplements. Regular Dental Checkups: Regular visits every 6 months or more often are the best way to detect gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer and other potentially serious problems in their early stages. This is when these problems are easiest to treat.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROPER METHOD OF BRUSHING ONE'S TEETH?

A: Use a soft bristled toothbrush. Be sure it is the right size (smaller is better than larger). Place bristles at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. Slide the tips of the brush under the gums. Move the brush very gently so that any plaque growing under the gums will be removed. Be sure to brush the outside, the tongue side and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Other hints: Your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time. Change its position to properly clean each tooth.

Don't rush your brushing. A thorough brushing should take at least 2 minutes. You should brush your teeth twice per day to prevent plaque build up. Studies show that plaque (bacteria) regrow on clean teeth about 4 hours after brushing. A pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste is all that is needed. Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread. A worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOTHPASTE?

A: A simple question but with all the variety of products on the market today, it seems the choice would be hard to make. The answer is very easy: any toothpaste that contains fluoride and is applied to the teeth is an effective means in cavity prevention. There is not one single brand that is the best but there are other factors to consider when choosing a toothpaste. Toothpaste vs. gels Tartar control toothpaste Gum care toothpaste Baking soda toothpaste Toothpaste for sensitive teeth Whitening toothpaste

Q: WHAT ARE SEALANTS?

A: Sealants are a clear, acrylic-like material that helps shield decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. They are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth. This protective barrier covers the pits and grooves that are in the back teeth. Sealants can last up to 10 years but they need to be checked at regular dental check ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. Once the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear, it is best to apply sealants as soon as possible. As a child's most cavity-prone years continue until the mid-teens, the premolars should also be sealed as they appear. Sealing one tooth costs less than filling one tooth. Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save money on the long run by avoiding fillings to fix decayed teeth.

Q: WHAT IS FLUORIDE?

A: Fluoride is widely recognized as a highly effective method in prevention of tooth decay. It is used to harden the enamel of growing teeth and helps prevent decay on the smooth surface of the tooth. Fluoride provides its maximum benefit to teeth during enamal formation which is essentially completed by the age of twelve. Fluoride can be provided through a number of ways. The best and least costly is to add fluoride to public drinking water. If well water is used, a fluoride supplement, which can be obtained from a pharmacy, is necessary. It is best if a supplement is started at the age of 6 months and taken until the child is about 12 years when the growing of the tooth enamel is complete. There are other methods of supplying fluoride. Topical applications during routine dental exam and cleaning provide teeth with a concentrated dose of fluoride. It is recommended that these applications of fluoride be done at all routine exams. Commercially prepared mouth rinses and toothpastes also supply fluoride which gives additional protection to the smooth surfaces of the teeth.

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