Publication
Shine
| Contents: | The young person's guide to healthy teeth and gums |
The young person's guide to healthy teeth and gums
WHAT'S GOING TO STOP ME?
Easy answer: tooth decay and gum disease.
WHAT CAUSES THEM?
A gunge you've probably heard of called 'plaque'.
CAN I STOP PLAQUE FORMING?
Everyone's mouth creates plaque. You can't stop it completely, but it's easy tocontrol it and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
WHERE DOES THIS PLAQUE COME FROM?
Your mouth is like a chemical factory, and eating and drinking produces allsorts of reactions inside it. For instance, bacteria which live off sugarscreate plaque, which in turn makes acids that rot your teeth. Plaque alsocauses gum disease.
SO TELL ME WHAT CAN I DO?
Just follow three steps to healthier teeth and gums:
1. LESS SUGAR, LESS OFTEN
Cut down on sugary foods and drinks. Sweets, snack foods containing sugar,cola and other carbonated drinks are the obvious ones.
Stop sugars going to work by chewing sugar free gum after eating. Thisgenerates saliva which is your teeth's best defence against plaque.
2. BRUSH UP ON FLUORIDE
Brush your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
When? Well, you don't want to inflict stale breath on people first thing, somorning's a good time - but have your breakfast first! Brush again last thingat night and you'll be protecting your teeth from all the stuff you've beeneating during the day.
3. CHECK OUT YOUR DENTIST
Get regular check-ups from your dentist. It's free to people under 18 (andunder 19in full-time education), and it's painless -honest!
Your dentist or hygienist can show you the best way to brush your teeth andgive you any specialist advice you may need from time to time.
Keep to steps 1 and 2 and a 15-minute visit twice a year is all you may everneed to spend at the dentist.
AND WHAT ABOUT OTHER THINGS LIKE. . .
Dental floss? Floss is a sort of waxed thread you can use to getplaque out of tiny gaps between your teeth that even thorough brushingsometimes misses and cannot remove.
Mouthwash? Mouthwashes may help freshen your breath but they areabsolutely no substitute for brushing.
Both of the above are available from the chemist but you're still bestequipped with a good toothbrush. Choose one with medium bristles that fits yourmouth comfortably and can get into the corners and backs of your teeth. Changeit when the bristles are splayed and worn (about every three months if you'rebrushing regularly).
SHINE ON THERE ARE PLENTY OF GOOD REASONS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR TEETH AND GUMS.YOU KNOW THEM YOURSELF. YOU WANT TO:
LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT - WITHOUT WORRYING HOW YOUR TEETH LOOK
ENJOY EATING AND DRINKING - FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
AVOID 'DOG BREATH'!
SMILE WITH IMPACT!!
KISS WITH CONFIDENCE!!!
CARRY ON SHINING ON
It's really easy to look after your teeth and gums. Enjoy the rewards -you'll look better and feel better. All those sugary foods do no favours foryour teeth, your health or your physique. And once you get into the habit ofbrushing you teeth regularly you'll hardly need to think about it, leaving youmore time to agonise about those other important problems - what to wear, whoto see and where to go...