Flossing helps keep teeth healthy - Dental Care Articles

Flossing helps keep teeth healthy
January 22, 2008
By Tod Bigelow
Hattiesburg American

Why floss? Flossing is very important in your daily oral hygiene routine. Flossing helps remove bacteria from places that brushing alone cannot.

If this bacteria is not removed it can lead to cavities in between the teeth. Gums also can become inflamed and irritated if flossing is not done daily. Inflammation and irritation can lead to bleeding gums.

The build-up of bacteria also can cause bone loss which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth.

Flossing is a very important habit everyone should have to promote healthy oral hygiene.

Flossing tips:

Make floss more accessible. Keep rolls in places like your purse, your desk, TV room and bedroom. Floss while you're watching TV, working at your desk, reading and so on.

If flossing after each meal is not realistic, floss before bed. When you sleep, plaque bacteria have more of a chance to develop.

Keep in mind that you don't have to spend tons of time flossing. A good flossing only takes one or two minutes.
Tooth grinding
Almost all of us grind or clench our teeth occasionally, but excessive heavy grinding or bruxism, can lead to painful jaw and dental problems. Many people brux when sleeping, leading to sore and tired facial muscles, jaw joint disorders, worn-down teeth enamel and damaged dental restorations.

Why do we do it? We still don't know all the mechanisms that cause bruxism, but most researchers believe that both emotional and physical factors are involved. Stress disorders are at the top of the list.

To help relieve stress, cut down on caffeine, exercise regularly and learn relaxation techniques. To help with the grinding, we can design a plastic mouth appliance called a splint that reduces the muscle symptoms caused by grinding and also protects the teeth from damage. Damaged teeth and improperly occluding (biting) teeth can also be fixed by crowning teeth or rebuilding the bite with crown and bridge work.

Cold sensations
Do your teeth hurt when you bite into that hard frozen ice cream cone on a hot summer's day? Well, you're not alone. Almost 25 percent of us suffer from sensitive teeth, and cold isn't the only culprit.

Hot drinks can also cause us pain. This condition is caused when the enamel, the hard outside surface of your tooth, thins and exposes the dentin underneath, which in turn allows the super-sensitive nerves and cells within your teeth to react to temperature extremes.

Enamel thinning can be caused by many factors, including brushing too vigorously with a hard-bristle brush, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth grinding.

Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoid toothpastes that contain abrasive ingredients.

Fluoride rinses and gels and some desensitizing toothpastes can desensitize teeth. Ask your dentist for recommendations