Dental care mistakes
The pharmacist mentions that foods with a lot of sugar in their composition, as well as sweetened drinks, sticky delicacies that seem to hug the teeth, are the most harmful to the teeth. In addition to poor-quality food, damage can also be caused by poor oral hygiene at home, improper tooth brushing, irregular visits to a dental hygienist and independent teeth whitening.
G. Šimkė explains that although the latter can minimally lighten the teeth, damage cannot be avoided here – often not only the enamel is damaged, but also the structure of the teeth itself is disturbed.
“Unprofessional whitening at home with completely unsuitable products causes much more damage than we can imagine. There are a lot of misleading myths on the Internet that baking soda, activated carbon or acidic products such as hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice can lighten teeth – unfortunately, when cleaning teeth with these products, the enamel is quite damaged and its layer is worn away. Even the structure of the teeth is often disturbed – the teeth become more sensitive, thinner, their protective function, which protects against external factors, food and drinks, natural wear and tear, weakens,” explains the pharmacist.
G. Šimkė adds that healthy teeth can not only maintain their naturally white color, but also decay much less often. Therefore, it is very important to clean both the teeth and the gums very carefully every day, do not forget to use interdental floss, clean even the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, as well as clean the tongue, which also accumulates bacteria.
“Several hundreds of different bacteria already exist in our mouths, but bacterial colonies, living on the surface of teeth together with leftover food and saliva, form dental plaque. The bacteria in the latter release acids that dissolve tooth enamel. In the long run, untreated dental plaque forms tartar, which is one of the main causes of bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis and other dental diseases. When faced with these dental diseases, the surface of the teeth also naturally changes color,” says the pharmacist.
How to choose the right tools?
According to the pharmacist, when choosing a toothpaste, the most important thing to pay attention to is the fluoride content and its amount. Fluoride reduces the acid released by oral bacteria, strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to caries. For babies under 2 years of age, it is recommended to choose toothpastes with a fluoride content of no more than 1000 ppm, for children under 6 years of age, the same level of fluoride is suitable, but the amount of toothpaste applied should be slightly higher. From the age of 6, it is recommended to choose a toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1450 ppm
If a person cannot use fluoride-containing products, one should look for stabilized, crystallized and/or unstabilized calcium phosphate, polyphosphate systems, arginine, xylitol, nano-hydroxy-apatite in toothpaste. These materials have properties that strengthen enamel and reduce the formation of plaque.
“There are several indicators that should be taken into account when choosing a toothpaste. One of them is hard crystalline particles called abrasives, designed to polish the surface of the teeth. In toothpastes, their amount is measured in RDA units, so the higher the RDA, the better the paste removes plaque, but it also damages the enamel more. Toothpastes with an RDA index of no more than 70 are low-abrasive and safe to use. The harmful limit for teeth is 150 RDA. Another indicator to pay attention to is the pH of the toothpaste. It is advisable to choose a paste with a pH between 7 and 10. A lower pH can damage tooth enamel.
When looking for other beneficial toothpaste ingredients, I’d advise keeping zinc chloride in check – it can help fight bad breath. Ingredients such as aloe vera, tea tree oil, and various plant extracts will help reduce inflammation and stimulate the protective functions of the teeth.
Menthol is also one of the most popular ingredients in toothpastes, as it has disinfecting properties and gives a feeling of freshness”, pharmacist G. Šimkė shares her advice.
According to her, mouthwash is another important attribute in the dental care routine. True, G. Šimkė states that you should not rinse your teeth immediately after cleaning them. Toothwash is a great intermediate between meals and drinks such as coffee.
In the composition of the liquid, you should again look for good active substances, such as fluorine, xylitol, aloe, eucalyptus, various vegetable oils. The pharmacist emphasizes that the most important thing is that the rinsing liquid does not contain alcohol, because it dries and irritates the oral mucosa, and lowers the overall pH of the mouth.
The right routine
In order to prevent the formation of dental plaque, G. Šimkė advises to brush the teeth at least twice a day, using a small amount of paste and a soft brush.
It is important not to forget to use one toothbrush for cleaning hard-to-reach places, loose or repaired teeth. After cleaning the teeth, the entire contents should be well spit out, but it is not necessary to rinse with water – this way the active substances will remain on the surfaces of the teeth longer.
“Interdental floss or a brush or an irrigator is so very important for dental care, because they help remove dirt stuck between the teeth or gums. Tongue cleaner – can also be helpful in removing bacteria build-up.
After thorough teeth cleaning, it is advised not to eat or drink anything for at least half an hour, including rinsing your mouth with mouthwash. Later, after drinking coffee or eating, it is recommended to use mouthwash and rinse your mouth with it for about 30-60 seconds,” adds the pharmacist.
2024-09-11 10:29:28