MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dental care

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Dental care - adult

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names	Information

Illustrations

Oral anatomy

Alternative names Return to top

Teeth -- caring for

Information Return to top

Tooth decay and gum disease are largely caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If this plaque is not removed thoroughly each day, tooth decay will flourish. Over time, plaque will harden into tartar.

Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:

Cavities -- holes that damage the structure of teeth
Gingivitis -- swollen, inflamed, bleeding gums
Periodontitis -- destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss
Bad breath (halitosis)
Abscesses, pain, inability to use teeth
A variety of health problems outside the mouth, from preterm labor to heart disease

Healthy teeth are clean and have few cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps:

Brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably after every meal and at bedtime.
Floss at least once per day.
Schedule an appoint with a dentist for a routine cleaning and examination. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months.
Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes regular brushing and may include soaking them in a cleansing solution.

Ask your dentist:

What toothbrush you should use, and where your problem areas are located.
How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums.
Whether you should use any special appliances or tools, such as water irrigation or electric toothbrushes. These may sometimes help supplement (but not replace) brushing and flossing.
Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses. In some cases, over-the counter pastes and rinses may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition.

Regular tooth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for you to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This uses various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine examination may include dental x-rays.

See also plaque identification at home.

Update Date: 6/7/2004

Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hosptial, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Jennifer A. Schwartz, D.M.D., General Dentist, University of Pennsylvania Dental Care Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed HealthCare Network (11/28/2001).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.