HOW CAN YOU USE PREVENTIVE TECHNIQUES?
A cardinal rule is to see your dentist for regular checkups.
Get your children to him early, even at age two. Encourage your dentist to use
preventive measures in the office-fluoride topical applications once or twice a
year, or oftener if needed, and not only for children but for adults in the
family.
If your dentist is too busy or not interested, you can find one who will be interested, happy to take the time for the
applications and for instruction.
Make use of the following guide for mouth care which
details, step by step, the home oral hygiene measures advocated by many
dentists who are leaders in the preventive approach. You can check the guide
with your dentist for any special suggestions he may have that could make it
even more valuable for you.
A GUIDE FOR EFFECTIVE MOUTH CARE
This is a guide to thorough cleaning of the mouth, not just
brushing of the teeth, as a means of helping to prevent both decay and gum
disease. It is important to remember that decay occurs when bacteria attack
food particles and produce acid which eats away at the tooth structure. The
bacteria cluster on teeth in a film called plaque.
Plaque also fosters tartar
formation and, in turn, gum inflammation and infection. Whenever possible,
brush after eating to remove food particles.
But remember: one complete cleaning of the mouth, preferably
at night before retiring when you can take time to be thorough, is essential.
Because it takes 24 hours for plaque to form anew, one such cleaning daily can
help eliminate this prime factor in both gum disease and decay.
