It’s keeping
your teeth,
gums and
mouth
healthy !

 Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque and tartar
from teeth.
 Indian medicine (Ayurveda) has used the neem tree, or
daatun, and its products to create teeth cleaning twigs
and similar products; a person chews one end of the
neem twig until it somewhat resembles the bristles of a
toothbrush, and then uses it to brush the teeth.
 Generally, dentists recommend that teeth be cleaned
professionally at least twice per year. Professional
cleaning includes tooth scaling, tooth polishing, and, if
tartar has accumulated, debridement; this is usually
followed by a fluoride treatment.

 Plaque is a yellow sticky film that forms on the teeth and
gums can be seen at gum margins of teeth with a food dye.
The bacteria in plaque convert carbohydrates in food (such
as sugar) into acid that demineralises teeth, eventually
causing cavities. Daily brushing and flossing removes
plaque and can prevent tartar from forming on the teeth.

 The use of dental floss is an important element of oral
hygiene, since it removes plaque and decaying food
remaining stuck between the teeth.
 Flossing for a proper inter-dental cleaning is
recommended at least once per day, preferably before
brushing so fluoride toothpaste has better access
between teeth to help remineralise teeth.

 Cleaning the tongue as part of daily oral hygiene is
essential, since it removes the white/yellow bad-
breath-generating coating of bacteria, decaying
food particles, fungi (such as Candida), and dead
cells from the dorsal area of the tongue. Tongue
cleaning also removes some of the bacteria species
which generate tooth decay and gum problems.

 Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidant plant compounds that reduce plaque,
cavities, and gum disease. Green tea may also reduce bad breath and strengthen
the tooth enamel because of its high fluoride content.
 Dairy foods are beneficial because of their low acidity, which reduces wear and
tear on teeth. Additionally, dairy foods are high in calcium, the main component
of teeth.
 Cheese contains calcium and phosphate, which help balance pH in the mouth,
preserves (and rebuilds) tooth enamel, produces saliva, and kills bacteria that
cause cavities and disease.
 Fruits such as apples, strawberries and kiwis contain Vitamin C. This vitamin is
considered the element that holds cells together. If this vitamin is neglected, gum
cells can break down, making gums tender and susceptible to disease.

 Vegetables: Vitamin A, found in pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and
broccoli, is necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. Crunchy vegetables
may also help clean gums.
 Onions contain antibacterial sulfur compounds. Tests show that onions kill
various types of bacteria, especially when eaten raw.[13]
 Celery protects teeth by producing saliva which neutralizes acid that causes
demineralization and cavities. It also massages the teeth and gums.
 Sesame seeds reduce plaque and help build tooth enamel. They are also very
high in calcium.
 Animal food: beef, chicken, turkey, and eggs contain phosphorus which, with
calcium, is one of the two most vital minerals of teeth and bone.
 Water cleans the mouth and produces saliva that deposits essential minerals
into the teeth. It keeps gums hydrated and washes away particles from the teeth.

Sucrose (table sugar) is most commonly associated with cavities.
Sugars from fruit and fruit juices, e.g., glucose, fructose, and
maltose seem equally likely to cause cavities.
Some foods or sweets may stick to the teeth and so reduce the pH
in the mouth for an extended time, particularly if they are sugary.
It is important that teeth be cleaned at least twice a day, preferably
with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, to remove any food
sticking to the teeth.
Chewing gum assists oral irrigation between and around the teeth,
cleaning and removing particles, but for teeth in poor condition it
may damage or remove loose fillings as well.

 Well !!!! The mouth is the gateway to the
body... good health begins with good
teeth. Tooth decay, infection and/or
gum disease can lead to a variety of
ailments and just generally ‘feeling bad.’
 Oral hygiene gives you a good :
-Appearance
-Chewing
-Helps in talking

Teeth are very important to
your appearance.
They not only make
a nice smile, but
they also shape
your face.

Teeth are important to
chew food properly.
• The chewing of food
with your teeth is the
first step in the
digestion of food.
• If food cannot be
chewed properly, it can
cause problems with
digestion.

Teeth are important for speaking
Teeth work with
the lips, cheeks
and tongue,
allowing us to
pronounce
words.

 Visit your dentist regularly for
check-ups and cleaning.
 Visit an orthodontist for an
evaluation if you see any of the
early warning signs of
orthodontic problems.
 Have your child(ren) evaluated
by an orthodontist by age seven.
Many orthodontic problems can
be more easily corrected before
tooth and facial growth is
complete.

 Brush your teeth at least twice
a day using a soft-bristled
toothbrush and a fluoride
toothpaste.
 Floss between your teeth at
least once a day, after dinner
and before bedtime. (Tip: Use
toothpaste on your floss for
extra fresh breath.)
 Rinse and gargle with the
mouthwash, ideally right
before bedtime.

 Don’t forget to clean behind your
back teeth.
 Don’t give mouthwash or fluoride
toothpaste to young children, as they
can swallow it.
 Don’t clean your tongue so hard that
it hurts.
 Don’t rely on mouthwash alone to
keep your teeth and gums clean and
your breath fresh.
 Don’t ignore your gums - you can
lose your teeth as well as have bad
breath.
 Don’t drink too much coffee.

For those wearing braces or other
orthodontic appliances, keeping teeth and
gums clean may be a bit more difficult,
but the resulting smile will be worth the
effort.
They could take help of following Do’s
and Don’ts.

 Brush after every meal. If you can’t
brush right away, rinse your mouth with
water.
 Floss every day.
Your orthodontist can give you a floss
threader if you’re having difficulties.
 Call your orthodontist if anything is
loose or broken.

Don’t miss your orthodontic
appointments. Missed or delayed
appointments mean you’ll have to wear
your braces longer.
Don’t eat hard, sticky, chewy or
crunchy foods.
Don’t chew on pens, pencils, ice,
fingernails or anything that might break
your braces.

# 1
A visual exam.
A dentist will look at
your teeth, gums and
the way your teeth
come together when
you bite.
The dentist is looking
for tooth decay, gum
disease, mouth sores
& whether or not you
might need braces.

These x-rays will show
not only tooth decay,
but the roots of the
teeth and the bone
around them.
They will also show
any teeth that have
not come in yet, and
any extra teeth as
well.

#3
A Professional Cleaning
A dental hygienist will
remove any plaque or hard
deposits called calculus
from your teeth using
special instruments.
Your teeth will then be
polished with a special kind
of toothpaste. This will
make your teeth feel
smooth and clean.

#4
Fluoride Treatment
A flavored gel or foam will
be placed in a soft tray and
You will be asked to bite into
That tray for a few minutes.
or…
The fluoride may be painted on your teeth with a
small brush. This is called fluoride varnish.

#5 To prevent cavities from forming on the
chewing surfaces of your permanent molars, the
dentist might recommend dental sealants.
Sealants are a thin coating
of a plastic-like substance
that are painted on the
teeth.
When it hardens, this plastic
coating prevents food and germs
from getting down into the
grooves on the chewing surfaces of
your molars and prevents tooth
decay!

 Baby first teeth usually come in on the top front. They start coming in when they are
about 6 or 7 months old.
 A child will usually have 20 teeth by age 2.
 A child will usually lose it's first tooth when it is about 7.
 George Washington did not have teeth made out of wood, but he did have teeth made
out if hippopotamus teeth. He also had teeth made out of ivory, lead, human teeth, and
cow and sheep's teeth.
 The hardest thing in your body is the enamel on your teeth.
 Mammals have two types of teeth, the primary teeth and the permanent teeth.
 Your teeth started forming before you were born.
 The real name for baby teeth is milk teeth.
 A Chinese dentist once built a tower out of 28,000 human teeth.
 Sharks have at least 40 sets of teeth in their life time.

Got Braces? Are your teeth sore after you have your
braces adjusted? Try a sample recipe from “The Braces Cookbook
2” by Pamela Waterman and Amee Hoge.
Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Softies

 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder
 ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt
 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg
 ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1(15 oz) can pumpkin puree
 ¾ cup light brown sugar packed 2 eggs
 ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 Tablespoons milk
 2 Tablespoons molasses 1(12oz) bag chocolate chips
 In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the first seven ingredients. In
a larger mixing bowl, with a mixer, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar,
eggs, oil, molasses and milk. Add the flour mixture slowly into the
pumpkin mixture until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
 The dough is very soft. Drop by heaping tablespoon on greased cookie
sheet. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Makes 36-40 cookies.

For about two minutes
and at least twice each
day.