BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuDental care - adultTeeth - caring for; Oral hygiene; Dental hygieneTooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become: Infected Swollen Tender By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can help prevent problems such as tooth decay (caries) and gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). You should also teach your children how to brush and floss from an early age to help them protect their teeth.Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontiti...Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:Cavities are holes that damage the structure of teeth. CavitiesDental cavities are holes (or structural damage) in the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gingivitis is swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums, GingivitisGingivitis is inflammation of the gums.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Periodontitis is the destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss. PeriodontitisPeriodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bad breath (halitosis). Bad breathBreath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant breath odor is commonly called bad breath.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abscesses, pain, inability to use your teeth. Other health problems outside the mouth, ranging from preterm labor to heart disease.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Information HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm, and do not bleed. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps:Floss at least once per day. It is best to floss after brushing. Flossing removes plaque that is left behind after brushing from between the teeth and on the gums. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least 2 minutes each time. Use fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner if needed. A worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth as well. If you use an electric toothbrush, change heads every 3 to 4 months as well. Eat a healthy diet. You are less likely to get gum disease if you eat healthy foods. Avoid sweets and sweetened drinks. Eating and drinking a lot of sweets increases your risk of cavities. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after. Do not smoke. Smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers. Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes brushing them regularly. You may also need to soak them in a cleansing solution. Schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months for optimal oral health. Seeing the dentist every 3 to 4 months may be needed if your gums become unhealthy. Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop, even with careful brushing and flossing. This is very important for getting at areas that are hard to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This procedure uses instruments to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine exams may include dental x-rays. Your dentist can catch problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive to fix.Dental x-raysDental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your dentist:What kind of toothbrush you should use, and how to brush your teeth well. Ask if an electric toothbrush is right for you. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to clean teeth better than manual toothbrushes. They often also have a timer to let you know when you have reached the 2 minute mark. Brush your teeth wellPlaque is a soft and sticky substance that collects around and between teeth. The home dental plaque identification test shows where plaque builds u...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums. Whether you should use any special appliances or tools, such as water irrigation. This may sometimes help supplement (but not replace) brushing and flossing. Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses. In some cases, over-the-counter pastes and rinses may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition. WHEN TO CALL THE DENTIST Call your dentist if you have symptoms of a cavity that include:Pain in the tooth that occurs for no reason or is caused by food, beverages, brushing or flossing Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks Get early treatment for gum disease. Call your dentist if you have symptoms of gum disease that include:Red or swollen gums Bleeding in the gums when you brush your teeth Bad breath Loose teeth Drifting teethPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Open ReferencesReferencesChow AW. Infections of the oral cavity, neck, and head. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 64.Stefanac SJ. Developing the treatment plan. In: Stefanac SJ, Nesbit SP, eds. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Dentistry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 4.Teughels W, Laleman I, Quirynen M, Jakubovics N. Biofilm and periodontal microbiology. In: Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 8.AllVideoImagesTogTeach children to brush - illustration Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a child's overall good health. Without proper dental care tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious problems such as cavities and gingivitis, swollen and bleeding gums. Regular visits to the dentist, brushing twice each day, and flossing, are ways to help maintain a healthy mouth.Teach children to brushillustrationPeriodontitis - illustration Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums (gingivitis) occurs and is not treated. Infection and inflammation caused by plaque buildup spreads from the gums (gingiva) to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.PeriodontitisillustrationDenture care - illustration Dentures are used when an individual is missing his natural teeth. It is just as important to take care of dentures as it is to take care of natural teeth, since problems such as gingivitis can still occur.Denture careillustrationGingivitis - illustration Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and bacteria accumulation.GingivitisillustrationTeach children to brush - illustration Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a child's overall good health. Without proper dental care tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious problems such as cavities and gingivitis, swollen and bleeding gums. Regular visits to the dentist, brushing twice each day, and flossing, are ways to help maintain a healthy mouth.Teach children to brushillustrationPeriodontitis - illustration Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums (gingivitis) occurs and is not treated. Infection and inflammation caused by plaque buildup spreads from the gums (gingiva) to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.PeriodontitisillustrationDenture care - illustration Dentures are used when an individual is missing his natural teeth. It is just as important to take care of dentures as it is to take care of natural teeth, since problems such as gingivitis can still occur.Denture careillustrationGingivitis - illustration Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and bacteria accumulation.GingivitisillustrationRelated Information Root canal(Surgery)Periodontal Disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/24/2022 Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Dental care - adultTeeth - caring for; Oral hygiene; Dental hygieneTooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become: Infected Swollen Tender By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can help prevent problems such as tooth decay (caries) and gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). You should also teach your children how to brush and floss from an early age to help them protect their teeth.Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontiti...Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:Cavities are holes that damage the structure of teeth. CavitiesDental cavities are holes (or structural damage) in the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gingivitis is swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums, GingivitisGingivitis is inflammation of the gums.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Periodontitis is the destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss. PeriodontitisPeriodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bad breath (halitosis). Bad breathBreath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant breath odor is commonly called bad breath.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abscesses, pain, inability to use your teeth. Other health problems outside the mouth, ranging from preterm labor to heart disease.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Information HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm, and do not bleed. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps:Floss at least once per day. It is best to floss after brushing. Flossing removes plaque that is left behind after brushing from between the teeth and on the gums. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least 2 minutes each time. Use fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner if needed. A worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth as well. If you use an electric toothbrush, change heads every 3 to 4 months as well. Eat a healthy diet. You are less likely to get gum disease if you eat healthy foods. Avoid sweets and sweetened drinks. Eating and drinking a lot of sweets increases your risk of cavities. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after. Do not smoke. Smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers. Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes brushing them regularly. You may also need to soak them in a cleansing solution. Schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months for optimal oral health. Seeing the dentist every 3 to 4 months may be needed if your gums become unhealthy. Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop, even with careful brushing and flossing. This is very important for getting at areas that are hard to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This procedure uses instruments to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine exams may include dental x-rays. Your dentist can catch problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive to fix.Dental x-raysDental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your dentist:What kind of toothbrush you should use, and how to brush your teeth well. Ask if an electric toothbrush is right for you. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to clean teeth better than manual toothbrushes. They often also have a timer to let you know when you have reached the 2 minute mark. Brush your teeth wellPlaque is a soft and sticky substance that collects around and between teeth. The home dental plaque identification test shows where plaque builds u...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums. Whether you should use any special appliances or tools, such as water irrigation. This may sometimes help supplement (but not replace) brushing and flossing. Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses. In some cases, over-the-counter pastes and rinses may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition. WHEN TO CALL THE DENTIST Call your dentist if you have symptoms of a cavity that include:Pain in the tooth that occurs for no reason or is caused by food, beverages, brushing or flossing Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks Get early treatment for gum disease. Call your dentist if you have symptoms of gum disease that include:Red or swollen gums Bleeding in the gums when you brush your teeth Bad breath Loose teeth Drifting teethPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Open ReferencesReferencesChow AW. Infections of the oral cavity, neck, and head. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 64.Stefanac SJ. Developing the treatment plan. In: Stefanac SJ, Nesbit SP, eds. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Dentistry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 4.Teughels W, Laleman I, Quirynen M, Jakubovics N. Biofilm and periodontal microbiology. In: Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 8.