Care of the Mouth

serious illness, or who are having
chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Good mouth care can prevent some problems from
developing, or prevent minor problems from getting worse. The following are
some of the ways one can care for their mouth;

Good
mouth care begins with clean teeth. Keeping the area where your teeth meet your
gums clean can prevent gum disease, while keeping your tooth surfaces clean can
help you stave off cavities. Consider these brushing basics:

• Brush
  your teeth at least twice a day.
  When you brush, don’t rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
• Use the proper equipment. Use
  fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth
  comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush,
  which can reduce plaque and a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) more
  than does manual brushing. These devices are also helpful if you have
  arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
• Practice good technique.
  Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle — aiming the bristles toward the
  area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth
  motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of
  your teeth, as well as your tongue.
• Keep your equipment clean.
  Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your
  toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air-dry
  until using it again. Don’t routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in
  closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
• Know when to replace your toothbrush.
  Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or
  battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the
  bristles become frayed.

You can’t reach the tight spaces
between your teeth and under the gumline with a toothbrush. That’s why daily
flossing is important. When you floss:

• Don’t
  skimp. Break off about 18 inches
  (46 centimeters) of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle
  finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other
  hand. Grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Be gentle.
  Guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Don’t snap the
  floss into your gums. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it
  against one tooth.
• Take it one tooth at a time.
  Slide the floss into the space between your gum and tooth. Use the floss
  to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion. Unwind fresh
  floss as you progress to the rest of your teeth.
• Keep it up. If
  you find it hard to handle floss, use an interdental cleaner — such as a
  special wooden or plastic pick, stick or brush designed to clean between
  the teeth.

As long
as you do a thorough job, it doesn’t matter if you brush or floss first.
However, flossing before brushing might allow more fluoride from your
toothpaste to reach between your teeth. 
 

Routine mouth care

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft
  toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• Rinse
  your mouth after meals and at night. Use water or 0.9% sodium chloride
  solution (saline or salt water). You can make a fresh sodium chloride
  solution for each rinse by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of
  fresh water. Use cool or warm water – whatever you prefer.
• Remove
  any debris that you can see in your mouth or on your tongue by gentle
  brushing with a soft toothbrush. If possible, do this regularly but mainly
  after meals and at bedtime. Foam sticks are an alternative if gentle
  brushing with a soft toothbrush causes pain or bleeding.
• Chewing
  pineapple may also help to clean your mouth. Pineapple contains ananase
  which is an enzyme (chemical) which may help to break down debris in the
  mouth. You can use fresh pineapple or unsweetened tinned pineapple.
• If
  you wear dentures, remove them at night. Clean dentures with a soft
  toothbrush and toothpaste. Soak overnight in a denture solution containing
  sodium hypochlorite. Rinse before use the next day. (Soak metal dentures
  in chlorhexidine solution.)

Use of Mouthwashes

• Water or saline (described above) are the most
  commonly used mouthwashes. They are soothing, do no harm, and are safe to
  use as often as you like.
• Chlorhexidine
  mouthwash is sometimes advised if you are at risk of mouth infection.
  However, you should not normally use this more than twice a day. It
  contains alcohol which may sting, especially if your mouth is inflamed. If
  you do use this twice a day, you can always use water or sodium chloride
  mouthwashes as often as you like in between.
• Other
  mouthwashes such as ascorbic acid solution, hydrogen peroxide mouthwash or
  sodium bicarbonate mouthwash may be advised by a doctor or nurse in
  certain circumstances.
• It
  is best not to use glycerine or lemon mouthwashes. They often increase the
  sensation of a dry mouth.

To prevent gum disease and other
oral health problems, schedule regular dental cleanings and exams. In the
meantime, contact your dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms that could
suggest oral health problems, such as:

• Red,
  tender or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Gums that begin pulling away from your teeth
• Loose permanent teeth
• Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth
  align with each other
• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold
• Persistent bad breath or an unusual taste in
  your mouth

Remember,
early detection and treatment of problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can
help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.