Sand_Issue_September-2018

14 wellness
focus
Most toothpaste varieties tend to
target one or more of the following
needs:
• Sensitivity, in the gums and teeth,
from mild to severe pain.
• Fluoride toothpaste, according to
the American Dental Hygienists'
Association, is essential for optimal
oral health. Fluoride works by
stopping or even reversing the tooth
decay process.
• Anti-cavity, which most products
cover but which should always be
checked.
• Anti-gingivitis, ranging from over the
counter to prescription products, for
healthier gums.
Experts recommend that you keep
away from products with abrasive
ingredients like natural walnut shell or
plastic microbeads. Keep off charcoal
powders as well; they can also discolour
teeth and erode your enamel. Look
for toothpaste products that reinforce
enamel rather than damage it.
Picking the right
toothbrush
Picking the right toothbrush is
very important because the wrong
toothbrush can damage your enamel,
hurt your gums, or not remove
trapped food from between your
molars completely. Here is what is
recommended:
Right size – The cleaning effect of
a toothbrush is lessened when it is
either too big or too small, so choose a
toothbrush that suits your mouth.
Soft bristles – Use only soft bristled
brushes unless your dentist advises to
the contrary.
Rounded tips – The tip of each
bristle should be rounded so that food
debris and tartar comes loose with each
sweep. Avoid tips that are pointed or
square.
Replace regularly – Replace your
brush every three months since
bacteria can build up over time and a
chewed or worn out brush cannot clean
well and also damage the gum tissue.
It’s time to change when the bristles of
the toothbrush start to splay.
How effective is electric
toothbrush?
A report, in 2013, published in
the journal ‘Clinical, Cosmetic and
Investigational Dentistry’, has found
that “Powered toothbrushes offer an
individual the ability to brush the
teeth in a way that is optimal in terms
of removing plaque and improving
gingival health, conferring good
brushing technique on all who use
them, irrespective of manual dexterity
or training.”
Storing the toothbrush
If you store your toothbrush in the
bathroom-restroom area, read this:
According to a report in the ‘Journal
of Advanced Medical and Dental
Science’, an average toothbrush carries
ten million bacteria! When you flush
the toilet many water droplets are
expelled from the toilet bowl into the
air and affect the brush. Research in
the University of Arizona proved that
this dirty brush will leave your mouth
dirtier with each use! According to
the American Dental Association you
should store the brush in an upright
position if possible and allow the
What Exactly Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are right in the back of the mouth. They’re called ‘wisdom
teeth’ because they are the last to appear in the mouth. This probably
means that by the time they grow in, a person has acquired wisdom! The
appearance of wisdom teeth varies depending on the person, but they
typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Their role is to grind
food when chewing. It is often believed that the main symptom of having
a wisdom tooth is pain. It crams or overcrowds an adjacent tooth, or
impacts the gums or other important soft tissues in the mouth. However,
not everyone experiences problems with their wisdom teeth. Your dentist
can monitor the growth and development of your wisdom teeth through
regular checkups and dental X-rays and can treat problems before they
worsen.
toothbrush to air-dry until used again.
If more than one brush is stored in
the same holder or area, keep the
brushes separated to prevent crosscontamination.
Do not routinely cover
toothbrushes or store them in closed
containers.
Oral care while
travelling
Practicing oral care while travelling
is essential to the prevent caries and
periodontal disease. While it is a good
idea to carry the toothbrush and
toothpaste you are using at home, it
is convenient to use a toothbrush/
toothpaste set for travel. In order to
maintain a clean and healthy mouth
try to stick to your regular oral care
routine.
Toothbrush sanitisers
According to www.worlddental.org,
there are different types of toothbrush
sanitisers like UV sanitisers or
tablets. There are methods and
devices for sanitising toothbrushes
to accommodate every price range,
from drop tablets to self-cleaning
toothbrushes to heavy-duty machinery.
However, it also lists other methods by
which you can sanitise your brush at
home:
• Soak your toothbrush in an
antiseptic mouthwash
• Freeze your toothbrush
• Rinse and air-dry your toothbrush,
making sure it avoids other brushes.
Oral care for the family
The American Dental Association
recommends that a baby should be
taken to the dentist within six months
of the first tooth popping up, preferably
before their first birthday. Routine
dental appointments for babies and
children can teach the parents how to
care for baby teeth, including how and
when to introduce fluoride toothpaste.
Toddler’s teeth should be examined,
cleaned, checked for any problem
areas. If cavities are noticed early, you
can stop further damage.
Adult dental care includes:
• Routine exams and cleanings
• General dental procedures like
extractions, dentures, root canals,
crowns and bridges
• Cosmetic dentistry including teeth
whitening, veneers, composite
fillings, and crown lengthening.
yourwellness.com