Cavities

Too many germs when:

• Not brushing 2 times a day
• Too much sweet food
• Too much sweet drinks
• Filling breaks and not covered
• Roots are showing

Gum disease

Gum disease happens when teeth and gums are not brushed well

• Gums are red and swollen
• Gums bleed with brushing
• May be painless unless very serious
• Can lead to tooth loss

Mouth germs make you sick

May cause problems:

• Heart & stroke
• Lung infection / pneumonia
• Harder to control blood sugar/diabetes
• Premature and small babies

Care for your teeth

Brush at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes!

• Soft brush with rounded bristles
• Brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth
• Put bristles at the place where your gums and teeth meet
• Brush using short back and forth motion
• Clean every surface of every tooth
• Brush your tongue
• Get a new brush every 3 months
• Use pea size amount (children and adults) of toothpaste
• Floss at least 1 time a day

Visit the dentist

• Check/treat mouth, teeth and gums
• Check for oral cancer or diseases
• Check/advise on false teeth
• Get dental advice
• Get referrals to see teeth specialists

Visit your dentist at least 1 time a year!

Warning signs

• Pain in teeth
• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Sore mouth
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth

Care for False Teeth

• Take them out every night
• Brush them with toothpaste and a denture brush
• Store them overnight in clean water in a cup
• Brush and floss the implant gently

Hard to hold brush or floss

• Make toothbrush handle bigger
• Use an electric brush
• Use a plastic floss holder

Dry Mouth = not normal

Dry mouth can be caused by:

• Medication – over 800 medications
• Disease such as diabetes
• Head and neck cancer and treatment

Drink more and talk to your doctor and your dentist

Remember

• Healthy mouth is important to healthy body
• Brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes each
• Floss 1 time a day
• Use fluoridated toothpaste
• No teeth STILL NEED to do mouth care
• Visit a dentist 1 time a year