Take Control of Oral Health With Daily Must-Dos

During the 45 years I was a dental hygienist, I loved explaining to my patients the how and why they needed to take care of their teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene every day is crucial and paves the way to good overall health.

Everyone’s mouth has naturally occurring bacteria accumulate and form plaque. It takes only 24 hours for the bacteria to form a soft sticky biofilm that can be removed with a brush, floss, soft pick or waterpik. Once the plaque has formed, though, any time sugar or carbohydrates are consumed, the plaque metabolizes the sugars and carbohydrates to an acid. I would explain to kids that the plaque eats the sugar and goes pee pee all over their teeth. The acid will then soften the teeth and irritate the gums.

Underneath the tongue is one of the main saliva ducts into the mouth. People who don't make enough saliva get more cavities, but saliva also has minerals that harden the plaque into the tartar. Most medications cause decreased saliva flow. People with dry mouth need to drink more water. I always recommend candies and gums sweetened with xylitol. This natural sweetener is bacterialstatic, which means the bacteria can't digest it.

If plaque is allowed to remain in the mouth, it eventually hardens and becomes tartar, which damages the gums and bone. The body sees the tartar as a foreign object and sends white blood cells, causing the gums to become red and puffy. The body tries to protect itself by pulling away from the tartar — either by recession (gum moves down the tooth exposing the root) or pocketing, a deeper space between the tooth and the gums. 

You may have noticed your hygienist doing annual measurements. Anything 5 mm or deeper is considered a pocket. If the gum attachment goes down, the bone dissolves away with it. You need a good amount of bone around each tooth to keep it stable. This is why teeth cleanings are important.  Most people are fine with twice a year, but some people need it more frequently due to heavy build up or a history of gum disease. Unhealthy gums or heavy tartar accumulation requires deep cleanings.

Other sources of acid will damage the teeth. Neutral pH is 7. Once the pH of the mouth drops to 5.5 or lower, it  pulls the calcium and phosphate out of the teeth, which weakens the enamel. Stomach acid can lower the pH of the mouth, as well as acidic foods in our diet. This can be combated by swishing with a baking soda and water solution, which neutralizes the acid. You can even drink this solution if you are feeling a burning in the esophagus. However, it tastes nasty and will make you burp. Nighttime fluoride also will harden the enamel. Fluoride cannot penetrate plaque, so clean your teeth first.

An acidic diet also will cause decay. Anything carbonated, most fruit juices, coffee, tea, wine and beer have a low pH. Swish with water any time you eat or drink. Spring water will always have a higher pH, which is good. Tap water is neutral, but purified waters usually have a lower pH.

The most important time to brush is bed time. Floss once a day. Waterpiks will blow out the food and plaque when set at the higher settings. It strengthens the gums, gets 6 mm below the gum line and introduces oxygen under the gum line, which eliminates the anaerobic bacteria. An electric toothbrush will do a much better job cleaning than a manual one. Soft picks are plastic tooth picks coated in rubber that massage the gums, as well as remove interdental plaque and food. 

I always told my patients that my motto was, “You work hard so I don't have to.” Now you know what to do.

Meet Our Thought Leader

Adrienne Marquart retired after 45 years as a dental hygienist. She lives in Palm Bay, and has two children and two grandchildren.