Tooth Care and Toothaches

Tooth care should begin in early infancy. Even while gums are toothless, wipe them twice a day with a gauze pad to reduce decay-causing bacteria. Never let a baby fall to sleep sucking a bottle of milk or fruit juice. Both liquids contain sugar, which feeds bacteria. The longer the bottle stays in the mouth, the greater the risk.

Proper tooth care for children or adults requires regular, thorough removal of plaque. Plaque is a bacteria containing film that forms on the teeth. You can locate plaque deposits precisely by chewing what is called a discoloring tablet, sold in drugstores, or by rinsing your mouth with a few spoonfuls of water containing two or three drops of blue or green food coloring. Color will remain where plaque is collecting. You should give those areas special care.

Cleaning Your Teeth

The best toothbrush choice is a soft nylon with rounded-end bristles and a flat brushing surfaces. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle where teeth and gums meet. Move it back and forth about 10 strokes at each location. Brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of all teeth.

Then use dental floss to remove plaque and to dislodge trapped food. Wind the ends of an 18 inch length around a finger on each hand. Hold the floss taut and, with a gentle sawing motion draw it between teeth to the gum line. Gently scrape the gum line, then the sides of the teeth. Brush and floss at least twice a day... and if possible, immediately following meals.

Fluoridated water helps to reduce tooth decay. If your community's water is not fluoridated, you can get fluoride tablets or drops for children from a dentist. Choose a fluoridated toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.

You can further guard against decay by avoiding sweets, particularly those that dissolve slowly in the mouth; heavily sugared fruits; cookies; and pastries. See a dentist regularly, twice a year, for checkup and cleaning.

Toothaches

Most toothaches are a sign of decay, that is, of tooth deterioration caused by bacterial breakdown of sugars. Decay begins with erosion of the enamel, the hard outer covering of the tooth. Then a small cavity forms. Untreated, decay can progress to the pulp, or heart, of the tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels. You should see a dentist as soon as possible about any toothache, no matter how mild.

In the mean time, you may be able to ease the pain associated with the toothache with aspirin or another analgesic. If the size of the cavity and its location permit, try packing it with a little bit of cotton soaked with oil of cloves, a surface analgesic available at virtually any pharmacy. It may also help to rinse your mouth periodically with a solution of baking soda and lukewarm water.

After dental work, you may get a slightly painful reaction to sweet, sour, or hot foods and liquids. This usually passes quickly, but it can help to rinse your mouth with warm, salted water, after eating or drinking.

Severely Painful Toothaches

Extreme pain from heat or chewing may mean that a tooth is dying. If heat causes the pain, try holding ice cubes against the tooth. If chewing causes the pain, don't eat ---- just kidding. If chewing causes the pain, the tooth may be fractured, but with immediate attention it may be saved. If you are not able to get to your dentist immediately and the pain keeps you awake, sleep with your head propped on two pillows.

An abscessed tooth can cause swelling as well as pain. Signs are persistent aching or throbbing that is worse when you chew. It is urgent to get to a dentist as soon as possible, especially is the swelling spreads into your face and neck. Get what relief you can from analgesics; rinse your mouth hourly with warm, salted water. If the abscess bursts, which the warm water will encourage, rinse your mouth thoroughly to wash away the pus. Pain will be relieved, but not the need to see the dentist.