Disclosing wafers,
containing a harmless red vegetable dye, are invaluable aids in helping you to
establish effective cleaning habits. For the first week, you can use one before
and another after each nightly cleaning. In the second week, clean first, then
use a wafer to check on whether any areas have been missed. Once proper
cleaning habits are established, use a wafer about once a month for checking.
Place a wafer in the mouth, chew slowly to help dissolve, then swish around as
if it were a mouth rinse. You may then swallow it. Any bright red stains you
see on the teeth (use the mouth mirror to The Teeth I 281 Here is a rough guide
to when the different teeth may be expected -rough in the sense that there is
some variation among individuals:
PERMANENT TEETH UPPER
LOWER (AGE IN YEARS) help view the tongue side of the teeth) indicates areas of
plaque and bacteria. Pay particular attention to brushing and flossing these
areas. The dye will color the tongue and the lips. It is readily removed from
the lips with a wet cloth. Brush it from the tongue and you will simultaneously
remove bacteria that grow on the tongue's furry surface and may contribute to
bad breath.
As the bacteria are brushed off, much of the dye color goes with
them; the rest is gone, dissolved in mouth fluids, by morning. Cleaning themouth thoroughly this way does take time and patience. But you will find the
experience refreshing and pleasantly habit-forming. There will be a cleaner
taste in the mouth and a cleaner "feel" to the teeth as plaque is
kept off.
You should have no difficulty using the suggested home care
methods. If, for any reason, you do, your dentist can help. He may also have
suggestions for adapting the techniques to make them more valuable for you if
you have any special problem. Visit your dentist regularly for checkup
examinations, for topical fluoride applications, and for advice.
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