Contents:
Dental Disease
and Prevention
Periodontal
Disease
Signs and Symptoms
Prevention
Tips for Choosing
a Toothpaste
Advice on
Brushing and Flossing
Hints for the
Holidays
University
News
The staff of the Employee Wellness Program would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope that you enjoy this month’s issue of Health in Our Hands. This issue will focus on dental disease and its prevention. Keep these tips in mind while eating those holiday sweets!
America’s number one oral health
issue is periodontal (gum) disease. This is an infection of the tissues
surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a common cause of tooth
loss in adults. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque, a bacterial
film that forms on the teeth. These bacteria make toxic substances
that will damage the gums. If this plaque is not removed, the plaque
hardens into tartar. This buildup causes the gums to begin to recede
from the teeth, and pockets form between
the teeth and gums. Some risk factors for
gum disease include female gender, smoking, alcohol use, stress, and poor
diet.
There are two main stages of
gum disease. These include gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. In this stage, daily
brushing and flossing can still help reverse this disease. Some characteristics
of this stage include redness, swelling, and gums that bleed easily.
In the second stage, periodontitis, the gums and bones around the teeth
are seriously damaged. Teeth are often loose, easily fall out, or
must be removed by a dentist.
Notify your dentist if you notice any of the following signs of gum disease. These signs and symptoms include:
* gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
* red, swollen, or tender gums
* gums that have pulled away from the teeth
* bad breath that will not go away
* pus in between teeth and gums
* loose teeth
* a change in the way the teeth fit together when you
bite
* a change in the fit of partial dentures
Gum disease can be easily prevented
simply by taking care of your teeth every day and having regular dental
checkups.
Some easy steps for prevention of gum disease include:
* Brush your teeth twice a day.
This will remove the bacteria from teeth. It is
best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Toothpastes and mouthwashes
which include fluoride are recommended because they help strengthen the
teeth and prevent tooth decay.
* Clean between your teeth every day.
Cleaning in between teeth with floss or interdental cleaners
will help remove bacteria and food in spaces a toothbrush cannot reach.
A regular pattern of brushing accompanied by flossing is often used to
reverse early gum problems.
* Eat a balanced diet.
It is very important to eat a variety of foods from the
basic food groups. These food groups include bread and grain products,
fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy products. Try to limit snacks,
especially sweets, in between meals.
* See your dentist regularly.
Regular dental checkups are important for several reasons.
Professional cleaning helps to remove plaque buildup for healthier teeth
and gums. Dentists can also check for other problems involving the
teeth or gums. Early treatment is often essential for treating gum
diseases.
Tips for Choosing a Toothpaste
The American Dental Association
(ADA) recommends picking a toothpaste with a combination of ingredients
including fluoride. A mild abrasive agent is also needed to remove
the plaque that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Other ingredients
which may be helpful include a whitening ingredient or a desensitizing
agent. The whitener can help brighten teeth, and the desensitizer
will lessen the effect of heat and cold if you have sensitive teeth.
The ADA recommends picking a toothpaste which bears their seal of acceptance.
No matter what brand you choose, remember the most important jobs of a
toothpaste include fluoride treatment, plaque removal,
and tartar control.
Advice on Brushing and Flossing
The American Dental Association
has established certain guidelines for brushing and flossing teeth.
The ADA has laid out five steps for proper brushing. These include:
1. First, place your toothbrush at a 45 degree
angle against your gums.
2. Brush your teeth gently using short strokes.
3. First, brush the outer tooth surfaces, and then
brush the inner surface of each tooth. Next, brush the tooth’s chewing
surface.
4. Use a gentle up-and-down stroke to clean the
inside surfaces of the front teeth.
5. Finally, brush your tongue to help remove bacteria
and freshen your breath. This will also help leave a clean
taste in your mouth.
The ADA also recommends flossing
once a day for optimal dental health. They recommend these important
steps to follow while flossing.
1. Break off about 18 inches of floss. Wind
most of the floss around your middle fingers, and then wrap the remaining
floss around the same finger on the opposite hand. Hold the floss
firmly between your thumbs and forefingers.
2. Using a gentle, rubbing motion, guide the floss
between your teeth.
3. Curve the floss into a C-shape when it reaches
the gum line. Gently slide it into the space between the tooth and
the gum.
4. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth.
Then, rub the side of the tooth while moving the floss away from the gum
in a gentle up-and-down motion.
5. Repeat these steps on each of your other teeth.
6. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth
on each side. This can be a site for plaque or food accumulation.
If you are not able to handle
floss well, check with your dentist about choosing an interdental cleaner.
These products include special brushes, picks, or sticks.
There are usually many opportunities
during the Christmas holidays to enjoy sweet, sugary snacks. However,
the ADA has some tips for preventing cavities and gum disease during the
holidays. The biggest concerns about sugar are how long the sugar
stays in your mouth, how long you continue to eat, and the consistency
of the sugar you ingest. Stickier snacks, like fruitcake or gummy
bears, are worse for your teeth because these foods are more likely to
stick to teeth and to stay lodged in spaces between teeth. Try to
eat sweets only as desserts after a meal instead of eating sugar all day.
Always
remember to brush your teeth as soon as possible after
eating sugary foods. If you cannot brush, try chewing sugarless gum
to increase saliva which will wash away the acids which result from sugar
intake.
* Remember to tune in to “Focus on Health” on KASU with Dr. Jim Farris on Sundays at 12:30.
* If there are health topics that you would like for us to focus on, please contact hanrahan@crow.astate.edu.
* Remember the Nursing and Health Professions Chili Cook-off on March 10th. Get your team organized now! Contact Bill Payne at extension 3073 for more details.
* The noontime fitness program led by Callie Franks will resume January 8, 2001. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
* The Employee Wellness Staff would like to thank the staff of ASU Publications and Creative Services for our newsletter’s new look! (The hardcopy edition - that is) Great job!
ooOoo
The Arkansas State University Employee Wellness Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year by the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Health questions can be addressed to Dean Susan Hanrahan, Ph. D., ext. 3112 or hanrahan@crow.astate.edu.
Produced by Kimberly McGaughey, graduate student in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program.