Dental Knowledgebase

What is basic dental care?

Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups.

Why is proper dental care important?

Practicing proper dental care:

• Prevents tooth decay. For more information, see the topic Tooth Decay.
• Prevents gum (periodontal) disease , which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, and can ultimately cause the loss of teeth. For more information, see the topic Gum Disease.
• Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist and makes the trip more pleasant.
• Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
• Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
• Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
• Improves overall health.
• Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice proper dental care.

Are there ways to avoid dental problems?

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.

• Floss at least once a day and brush your teeth after meals and between-meal snacks to remove plaque.
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
• Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease, as well as other health problems.
• Ask your dentist or dental hygienist about tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a front-to-back direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
• Ask whether your dentist or hygienist recommends using a mouthwash that contains fluoride and ingredients to reduce plaque.
• Schedule regular trips to the dentist, who can recommend the best schedule for examinations and cleaning depending on your needs.

Factors that may increase your child's risk for developing dental problems include:

• A high-risk pregnancy or difficult delivery.
• Birth defects or developmental disabilities.
• A family history of moderate to severe dental disease.
• Prolonged use of nursing bottles.
• High levels of bacteria in the saliva.
• Limited access to dental treatment.
• Frequent illness or taking medications for long periods of time.
• Smoke from cigarettes (secondhand smoke) may put your child's health at risk.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of tooth decay and gum disease.

Ask your dentist whether your children need fluoride treatments. Your drinking water may already be treated with safe and adequate levels of fluoride; to find out, call your local water company or health department. If you have your own well, have your water checked to determine whether your family needs fluoride supplements. You may also need to provide fluoride to your children if you use bottled water for cooking or drinking. Bottled water might not contain fluoride.

Do not give children mouthwash that contains alcohol because they can be poisoned by drinking it.

Routine Checkups

See your dentist once or twice a year. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems.

• A dental hygienist will clean your teeth by scraping hard mineral buildup (tartar) off of your teeth with a small metal tool, flossing your teeth, using a polishing compound, and applying fluoride to help clean your teeth. Cleanings usually aren't painful.
• Occasionally your dentist will want to take X-rays. The X-rays take only a few minutes.
  • The dentist will have you put on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else in the room will either wear a protective apron or step behind a protective shield.
  • The dentist or technician will have you bite down on a small piece of plastic. This will help align the teeth properly for the machine. The dentist will repeat this process several times to get pictures of all your teeth.
• If necessary, a dentist may put a sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and protect your teeth from plaque.
• A dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride solution directly to your teeth to help prevent tooth decay. The dentist may recommend a series of fluoride applications.
• People who are prone to infections may need to take antibiotics before any dental work is done. This includes those who have:
  • Risk factors for endocarditis.
  • An impaired immune system.
  • Had recent major surgeries or have man-made body parts, such as an artificial hip or heart valve.
  • A genetic abnormality of the heart valve.

If you do not have any active tooth decay or gum disease, changes in your brushing and flossing habits often should not be necessary.

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