Easy Tips To Assist You Care For Your Teeth
Trinity Pullam
Teeth are covered in a hard, outer coating called enamel. Every day, a thin film of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities. Brushing and flossing your teeth can prevent decay, but once a cavity forms, to avoid further damage, a dentist must fix it with a filling.
Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay. If you are at a higher risk for tooth decay (for example, if you have a dry mouth because of a condition you have or medicines you take), you might need more fluoride. Your dentist or dental hygienist may give you a fluoride treatment during an office visit or may tell you to use a fluoride gel or mouth rinse at home.
Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. Plaque causes an infection that hurts the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. A mild form of gum disease may make your gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day.
Sometimes, false teeth (dentures) are needed to replace badly damaged teeth or teeth lost because of gum disease. Partial dentures may be used to fill in one or more missing teeth. Dentures may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your gums will change shape, and your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. Be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments.
Keep your dentures clean and free from food that can cause stains or bad breath. Avoid small crunchy foods that can get trapped under the dentures and hurt your gums. Brush dentures every day with a denture-care product, and soak them in water or a denture-cleansing liquid at night. Be sure to leave them out of your mouth while you sleep to prevent swollen gums.
Oral cancer can start in any part of the mouth or throat, including the tongue. It is more likely to happen in people over age 40. A dental checkup is a good time for your dentist to look for signs of oral cancer. Pain is not usually an early symptom of the disease. Treatment works best before the disease spreads. Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, you should still see your dentist for regular oral cancer exams.
Good dental care is important for people living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. It helps them avoid potential problems with mouth infections, digestion or eating, and can prevent the need for more complicated dental work in the future.
Dental work can be difficult for the person as dementia gets worse, and the individual may not understand what is happening during a dental visit. They may resist.
Over time, the person may forget how to brush their teeth or why they should. As a caregiver, you may have to assist or take a more hands-on approach.
Here are some tips that may help:
Dental exams are important for protecting your oral health. Oral health includes your teeth, gums, and all the muscles and bones that let you smile, speak, and chew. Common oral health problems, such as include tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease (periodontal disease), can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss.
Poor oral health can affect your general health, too. For example, loosing teeth can cause problems with eating and nutrition, which can lead to other health problems. You can help prevent oral health problems with regular visits to the dentist and good toothbrushing and flossing habits at home.
At a dental checkup, you'll usually see both a dentist and a dental hygienist. A dentist is a doctor who has special training to care for teeth and gums. A dental hygienist is a health care professional trained to clean teeth and teach you how to take good care of your teeth and gums.
If you have certain health conditions, you may need to take antibiotics before your exam to prevent infections. Ask your dentist and/or your health care provider whether you need antibiotics, especially if you have heart problems or an immune system disorder.
Some people feel anxious about going to the dentist. If you or your child feels this way, tell your dentist before your visit. Your dentist can discuss ways to help you feel more relaxed about getting dental care.
Besides the physical act of assisting with hygiene, the medical provider's attitude can influence a patient's hygiene behaviors. A study found that a caregiver's attitude towards the elderly's ability to eliminate using a toilet had a substantial effect on the patient's ability to complete toilet elimination.[4] Being aware of a patient's limitations and maintaining an optimistic view of the patient's ability to support their hygiene can benefit the patient.
Dental care can be a relatively simple procedure to maintain the patient's hygiene. Let the patient contribute to this routine as much as they can. First, put on gloves and explain to the patient what you are going to do. If the patient is NPO, ensure that they do not swallow anything. Place a towel across the patient's chest to keep them dry and prop the patient's head up to a 45-degree angle or greater. If the patient is conscious, provide mouthwash in a cup. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth and spit. Place a dime-sized amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush and brush all surfaces of the teeth. Provide more mouthwash and have the patient rinse and spit. Floss the teeth by pressing the floss between the teeth up to the gums. Cup the floss in a "C" shape and pull down. Repeat for every surface between teeth. Have the patient rinse and spit one more time.
If the patient is unconscious, the head will need to be propped up to 45 degrees or more and turned to the side. Place a towel on the side of the patient's head to catch drool and place an emesis basin under the patient's chin. Pull the mouth open by pressing down on the patient's chin, taking care not to place fingers into the patient's mouth. Brush and floss the patient's teeth in a similar manner to the conscious patient. Use a wet mouth swab to wipe the patient's mouth and tongue. Apply moisturizer to the patient's lips.
Haircare is a vital part of the hygiene routine. While hair does not need washing every day, brushing the patient's hair can boost their self-esteem and prevent knots from forming. Before touching the patient, sanitize your hands and use disposable gloves. Warm the water to about 115 degrees F and check the temperature with your elbow to ensure it is comfortable. Fill a pitcher with the warm water and bring it over to the patient. Bring the patient's head as close to the top of the bed as is safe. Place a towel under the patient's shoulder blades and a waterproof bed protector under the head. Bring the edges of the bed protector up on the sides, so water does not spill over the bed. Wrap another towel around the patient's neck. Underneath the patient's head, place a water basin to collect any excess water. Submerge a washcloth in the warm water and wring the washcloth out until it is damp. Set the damp washcloth over the patient's eyes. Some hospitals will require cotton balls to be placed in the patient's ears; check with your facility to see their hair washing procedures. Use a cup to pour water gently over the patient's hair. Use shampoo and massage it into the patient's scalp. Thoroughly wash out the shampoo. Repeat the shampoo and rinse as many times as needed. Repeat the same procedure with conditioner if needed. Remove all of the washing equipment and place a clean, dry towel under the patient's head. Bring the pillow back underneath the patient's head. Dry the patient's hair by rubbing it with a dry towel. Assist the patient with brushing and styling their hair.
Before beginning nail care, wash your hands. Nail care is possible after a bath or after soaking the nails in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Once the nails are done soaking, place the hands on a towel. Use an orange stick to remove dirt that is underneath the nails. Clean the orange stick with a paper towel before moving to the next nail. Once the nails are clean, proceed to use nail clippers and trim the nails if necessary. Trim the nail straight and close to the nailbed but leave some room, so you do not cut the patient. Smooth nails with a file if the cut edges are rough. Rub lotion on the patient's hands. Repeat the same steps for the patient's feet. If the patient has diabetes, is it of utmost importance to maintain proper foot hygiene. When trimming the toenails of a diabetic patient, ensure there is proper lighting, and take special care to trim the nails in a straight line to avoid cutting the patient's foot.
Navigating wiggling baby teeth? As a parent or caregiver, understanding the ins and outs of this phase is crucial to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible and make this process hassle-free.
While baby teeth loosen for various reasons, the main cause is when the replacement adult tooth is coming in. Learning how to pull a loose baby tooth out safely is essential to prevent issues like shark teeth and crowding, and we can walk you through tried-and-true methods and proactive care.
Practicing good oral hygiene keeps your teeth and gums healthy. But did you know that oral health goes beyond gum disease and cavities? Believe it or not, your oral health is correlated to your health in general.
Visit your dentist every six months to get a checkup. Your dentist will clean your teeth to remove any plaque and hardened tartar. Your mouth will be examined for any gum disease, dental cavities, or even mouth cancer.
If you are a fan of sugary drinks then you are putting your teeth at risk. Try to drink more water throughout the day as this will assist in caring for your teeth. If you must drink sugary drinks then try to limit them to mealtimes. You should also drink a little water to help to wash away the sugar.
Back this up by flossing once daily. When brushing be sure to include your tongue. Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash for the best results. Your diet also plays a part too, the healthier you eat the better it will be for your teeth.
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