Caring for Your Teeth

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Caring for Your Teeth

• Anwar Ahmad, DMD

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Oral Health, Dental, Periodontal Disease

• 85-90 of the population in underdeveloped world
  suffer from certain level of dental ailment as
  compared to 25-30 among developed nations
• Mainly related to socioeconomic and literacy
  level
• About 1 of the population of underdeveloped
  world seek regular dental visits

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Oral Health, Dental, Periodontal Disease

• Amazingly, prevalence of dental cavities is much
  higher in developed countries
• Mainly related to refined food intake and eating
  habits like snacking, soda, sweets
• Main cause of dental and periodontal disease is
  plaque

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Oral Health, Dental, Periodontal Disease

• Plaque is continuously being formed in the oral
  cavity
• We can control plaque but cannot eliminate this
  by any means
• Periodontal disease once established, cannot be
  treated by medicine alone
• The best mouth freshener is regular brushing and
  flossing.
• No mouthwash or chewing gum can beat this.

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Why Brush?

• It is important to remove the dental plaque and
  food that sticks to teeth, and causes decay and
  gum disease.
• Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways
  of controlling plaque.
• PLAQUE IS BEING FORMED CONTINUOSLY!!!
• Plaque formation and growth cannot be stopped. It
  can only be controlled by regular daily removal.

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Why Floss?

• It is most important to clean between the teeth
  to prevent decay and gum disease!!!
• Plaque and food particles stick to the teeth in
  these areas.
• Normal tooth brushing cannot reach these tooth
  surfaces.
• Plaque can only be removed by daily brushing and
  interdental cleaning.
• Dental floss is the most efficient way to clean
  between teeth.

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Your Toothbrush

• Here are the characteristics of a good
  toothbrush
• The toothbrush should have a head that is small
  enough and correctly angled to reach all the
  teeth.
• A toothbrush should be multi-tufted, and have a
  medium/soft texture.

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Your Toothbrush

• Hard bristles can damage teeth and gums, and are
  not recommended.
• The bristles should be made of nylon, and their
  ends need to be rounded.
• Bristles made from synthetic rather than natural
  materials, are preferable for hygienic reasons.
  Natural bristles may be porous and likely to
  absorb bacteria.

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Your Toothbrush

• How often should your toothbrush be changed?
• The toothbrush should be changed at the first
  sign of wear.
• The bristles may become flattened and lose their
  shape.
• Bristles wear differently from person to person
  depending on how the toothbrush is used.
• Plaque removal becomes less efficient with an old
  worn toothbrush.
• It is recommended that you to change your
  toothbrush every four to six months.

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The Importance of Toothpaste

• Toothpaste protects, cleans and polishes teeth.
  It makes oral hygiene more efficient.
• It has a fresh taste and smell, and freshens the
  breath.
• Modern toothpastes contain ingredients which are
  crucial to oral health. Brushing twice a day with
  toothpaste is essential to maintaining a healthy
  mouth.

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Halitosis (BAD BREATH)

• 95 is due to localized causes in oral
  cavities/gums
• 3 around oral cavity, for ex) sinuses, tonsils
• 1-2 is systemic ex) diabetes, renal disease,
  cirrhosis of liver

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Sweet Tooth!!!!
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Diet and Tooth Decay

• Sugars are harmful!!
• Added sugars in refined foods such as cakes,
  biscuits, sweets, and soft drinks, assist plaque
  to develop and accumulate on teeth.
• This is the main cause of tooth decay!

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Harmful diets

• SODA
• Table sugar
• Added sugars in food
• Sweets
• Carbohydrate-rich pastries
• Chocolate snacks

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Importance of Dentist

• Your dentist will look at your teeth and gums to
  check for any problems.
• The dentist also wants to make sure your teeth
  are developing properly as you grow.

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Your Dentist

• It's important to visit your dentist every 6
  months to make sure you're taking good care of
  your teeth and that your teeth and gums are
  healthy.

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Importance of Dentist

• X-rays necessary
• Cavities need to be addressed
• Gum infection need to be locally treated
• Antibiotics have limited role in treating
  gingivitis and periodontis permanently
• The conditions have to be addressed locally
• Need for deep cleaning

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Anwar Ahmad, DMD

• COME VISIT US!
• 1707 Osage St, Suite 402
• Alexandria, VA 22302
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]

19
Anwar Ahmad, DMD

• COME VISIT US!
• 201 Elden St, Suite 102
• Herndon, VA 20170
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]