Oral Hygiene; Teeth, Mouth and Gums - Good Health Lesson 12

ORAL HYGIENE: TEETH, MOUTH AND GUMS - GOOD HEALTH LESSON 12

HOW TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY
Encourage children and adults not to eat many sweets, cooldrinks, cakes or sugars.
Clean your teeth and mouth after every meal. Floss your teeth first with a good dental floss, clearing the bits of food left between the teeth after your meal. Make sure the floss does not dig into your gum and hurt the gum. Floss gently and thoroughly. Get your Dentist or Dental Hygienist to give you a demonstration on the correct way to floss your teeth in order to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Clean your teeth with toothpaste on a toothbrush after flossing. Again, get someone to show you  how to brush your teeth properly. It is important to at least clean your teeth in the morning and last thing at night. Many people clean their teeth during the day as well. It may be difficult to keep your teeth clean while in a squatter camp or refugee camp. However, it is worthwhile trying to keep your mouth scrupulously clean as it will prevent health problems later on. If you are in an area where there is no clean water, try to get a grant or ask a Charity organisation to sink a well for your community. Make sure that you have water testing kits to ensure clean water. Brushing your teeth with dirty water leads to other health problems.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS - IF YOU HAVE NO TOOTHPASTE
In emergency situations out in the bush on Charity work I have used salt on a toothbrush to clean my teeth. My mother taught me that trick she learned during her years as a small child in the war when no toothpaste was available. Rinse well with clean water afterwards. It is not the ideal to use this method, if at all possible, use toothpaste.However, it has helped me in some difficult situations where I would not have been able to do any mouth care otherwise.

After cleaning your teeth with toothpaste and toothbrush, rinse your mouth out with dental mouthwash - follow the instructions on the bottle, and make sure to spit the mouthwash out afterwards. Don't swallow it. Mouthwash should only be used from an older age, it is not suitable for very small children. Don't leave the mouthwash around where children can find it and maybe drink it. Hide it away, or even better, lock the mouthwash away safely where little hands cannot find it.

DENTIST/DENTAL HYGIENIST? WHY NOT OFFER PRO DEO SERVICE?
If you are a Dentist or Dental Hygienist, why not consider offering your services gratis to a Refugee Camp or Squatter Camp for a period of time through an accredited Charity Organization which ensures your safe stay? There are many people desperately in need of your great talent and hands of mercy, especially in situations of dire poverty and refuge from war camps.

TOOTHACHE
When you have a tooth with a hole in it, do not wait until the damage spreads further and it begins to hurt. Go to a good Dental Clinic as soon as possible. If the tooth is treated quickly and the cavity (hole) filled, the tooth may be saved and last for many years. Once the damage has gone too far and an abscess has formed, the tooth will most likely have to be pulled out. Once teeth have been pulled out, it may be possible to have Dental work done, such as dentures or bridges to provide false teeth to fill the missing tooth/teeth gap. Ask your Dentist for his or her advice re this wonderful work.

Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Health Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional care