Good oral hygiene key to prevention of dental cavities Published May 5, 2006 By Senior Airman S.I. Fielder 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Even though simple steps taken can help prevent dental-related issues, more than than 65 percent of the American population had a cavity in at least one of their adult teeth, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. It can take as long as six years or as little as six months to dissolve the outer layer of the tooth, however, good oral hygiene can help prevent the formation of cavities. “If you have a cavity, the outer layer has collapsed,” said Capt. (Dr.) Jelani Washington, officer in charge of preventive dentistry. “It produces a hole and the dissolved tissue cannot support or repair itself.” Generally, a lack of good oral hygiene is the reason for cavities. One area people often misunderstand is proper brushing techniques, said Captain Washington. “Most people think because they brush their teeth, they’re O.K,” he said. “But there’s a method to the madness of keeping cavities out of your teeth. “Place the brush at 45 degrees along the gum line and use a circular motion,” he said. “Whatever you do, don’t use back and forth motions. Also, use soft bristled tooth brushes because it’s easier to remove plaque and is not as abrasive on your teeth and gums.” Captain Washington said the general rule is to replace a tooth brush every three months. If the bristles are splayed over to the side, however, it should be immediately replaced. “Another good habit is to brush after eating,” he said. “If you can’t, then use your tongue to dislodge food particles. At a bare minimum, you should rinse your mouth with water after eating.” Another preventative step is using floss. It not only ensures proper care of the gums, but also removes food lodged between the teeth, said the captain. “Floss helps to break up plaque,” he said. “The toothbrush cannot get between the teeth, and that’s where a cavity may begin.” The use of American Dental Association-approved mouthwash is also a factor of good oral hygiene. Anti-bacterial mouthwash helps keep the mouth’s bacteria in check, said Captain Washington. “It’s also good to use mouthwash with fluoride,” he said. “It helps re-mineralize cavities on the outside enamel of the tooth.” Once the decaying process has reached the softer part of the tooth, it continues toward the nerve of the tooth. This is when teeth get sensitive and painful to temperature changes, said Captain Washington. “Watching what you eat can also help,” he said. “Decreasing the sugary foods helps out quite a bit. Whenever you drink sodas or juices, try to drink it all at the same time and not sip it over a period of time. “This bathes your teeth constantly in sugar and feeds the bacteria on them,” he said. “Bacteria produce acid that will slowly dissolve the surface of the tooth, starting in as little as 20 minutes.” A child’s first visit to the dentist should be when the first tooth has broken through the gums. Captain Washington said it helps get rid of the child’s fear of going to the dentist. “Adults should try to see the dentist at least once a year,” he said. “Don’t be afraid of the dentist, because we are your friends. We want to keep you healthy.” There also may be other health benefits to befriending a dentist. Captain Washington said current research shows poor dental health is linked to heart disease. It’s also important for pregnant women to maintain good oral hygiene. “It increases their chance tremendously of having a healthy baby,” he said. “Periodontal disease has been shown to cause low birth weight babies.”