Question: Why is oral health important?

Oral, dental and gum diseases are among the most important health problems in our country and in the world. The mouth is the entrance to the digestive tract. Negative conditions in the mouth lead to deterioration of dental health and negatively affect digestion. The food we eat is chewed, mixed with saliva and made ready for swallowing and digestion in the mouth. The mouth is also important in terms of speech function. The teeth that enable the sounds to be produced correctly during speech are aesthetically integrated with our face. People with missing teeth may have difficulty producing some sounds. The tongue, which is the organ of taste, also has very important side functions such as chewing, swallowing and speaking. The deterioration of oral health can also affect other organs in the body. Decays that occur on the teeth can be the source of infections that can lead to important health problems in organs and structures such as the heart, kidneys and joints.

Question: Tooth decay what is it?

Tooth decay is a health problem that damages the structure of the tooth by creating cavities in the tooth, can cause microbes to settle and does not heal on its own. The ability of the mouth and teeth to fully perform their functions is an important indicator of oral and dental health. When teeth are brushed regularly and correctly and care is taken, tooth decay and gum disease is also prevented.

Question: Why is it important to use a toothbrush?

The purpose of brushing your teeth is to mechanically remove food residues from the oral environment. In this way, bacterial plaque formation, tooth decay formation and gum disease will be prevented.

Question: Which toothbrush should we choose?

When choosing both toothbrush and toothpaste, be sure to buy approved products that are recommended by your dentist. Things to consider when buying a toothbrush:

• Make sure that it has bristles designed to help us reach hard-to-reach surfaces of the mouth.
• Make sure that the head of the toothbrush is not large (so that it can move easily in the mouth).
• Buy toothbrushes with bristles of appropriate hardness that will not damage your teeth and gums. The most suitable ones are nylon and medium-hard brushes. Hard-bristled brushes can damage tooth enamel, while those with very soft bristles may not serve the purpose.
• Choose toothbrushes with handles that do not slip and are easy to grip, even when wet.
• If you are going to buy a mechanical (electric, rechargeable, battery-powered) toothbrush; choose toothbrushes that work with back-and-forth and right-left motion technology.

Question: How often should we change toothbrushes?

A toothbrush is a personal use tool and should not be shared with others. Change your toothbrush at most every 6 months. You can easily understand that your toothbrush is broken by the bristle bundles separating from each other, spreading out, bending from side to side and yellowing.

Question: What should we pay attention to when choosing toothpaste?

• People who are prone to tartar formation should be careful to choose toothpaste with tartar inhibitor (anti-tartar) properties.
• People whose oral structure is prone to caries formation should prefer toothpastes containing "fluoride".
• Different pastes should be selected at certain intervals to ensure that the teeth benefit from the different substances in each. Toothpastes that give a feeling of freshness to the mouth may be preferred.
• Pastes, whiteners, mouthwashes, etc. that are used once a week for gum health should not be used for a long time without the advice of a dentist.

Question: What should we pay attention to when brushing our teeth?

After choosing the right brush and toothpaste, the following points should be taken into consideration when brushing our teeth:

• The toothbrush should not be wet.
• A chickpea-sized amount of toothpaste is placed on the toothbrush. The idea that teeth will be cleaner if more toothpaste is applied is not true.province.
• The toothbrush is placed on the teeth and gums at a 45-degree angle.
• The brushing process is started with small circular movements starting from the gum line towards the oral cavity.
• A normal level of force should be applied during brushing. Applying too much force does not mean that the teeth will be cleaned well, on the contrary, it can cause irreversible material loss in the teeth and gum recession.
• The lower and upper teeth should be brushed separately.
  The upper jaw should be brushed from top to bottom, and the lower jaw should be brushed from bottom to top.
• The surfaces of the teeth facing the cheek, lip, tongue and palate are brushed in the same way.
• The biting surfaces are brushed with back and forth movements. If the chewing surfaces are neglected, food sticks to the indentations on the molars and decay becomes inevitable.
• Finally, the process is completed by brushing the tongue surface.

Question: How many times a day do you eat? should you brush your teeth once?

Brushing should be done in the morning, before going to bed, and after each meal and should last at least 2 minutes.

Question: Should you floss?

Using dental floss is a very useful practice in removing food residues from between your teeth. Brushing your teeth, although necessary, is not sufficient. Dental floss should be used once a day to reach hard-to-reach areas between your teeth. It is recommended that dental floss be used preferably after dinner or before going to bed.

Question: How to use dental floss?

Dental floss should be used after brushing.

• One end of the appropriate length of dental floss is wrapped around the index or middle finger of one hand and the other end around the index or middle finger of the other hand. Thus, the part of the floss to be used remains in the middle.
• The part of the floss that remains in the middle is pushed back with the thumb or index finger. The floss is passed between the teeth. Do not be harsh during this movement. After the floss is lowered 2 inches to the gum, it is lowered towards the oral cavity in a way that it scrapes the spaces between the teeth. During this time, care should be taken not to cut the gum.
• Clean the interdental surface by moving the dental floss back and forth and up and down in a C-shape around each tooth.
• Dental floss is applied to all interdental spaces, first the upper jaw and then the lower jaw. After the procedure, the patient's mouth is rinsed with plenty of water.

In patients who cannot use it this way, ready-made tools containing dental floss fixed on a carrier that is angled in a sling shape suitable for the lower and upper jaw can be used.

Question: How should dentures be cared for?

• Dentures are removed and cleaned especially before going to bed at night.
• After the teeth are removed, the gums and tongue should be brushed with a soft brush or rinsed with mouthwash.
• Dentures should be removed from the mouth with a tissue or gauze. After removal, it is cleaned with toothpaste and warm water.
• The surfaces of the dentures are brushed.
• After brushing, the dentures are rinsed thoroughly and if they are not to be re-attached, they are stored in a closed container with water.
• Before the dentures are re-attached, the mouth must be brushed with a soft brush and rinsed thoroughly with water.
• When the dentures are placed in the mouth, the upper teeth are placed first, then the lower teeth.

Question: What are the causes of bad breath?

Bad breath, which is very common in society, affects both the person and It is a disorder that disturbs the environment and therefore negatively affects social life. Bad breath can be a temporary condition caused by food, drink or physiological events in the body, or it can be a symptom of some diseases. The last condition is also called pathological bad breath. The diseases that cause it can be listed as; tooth decay, gum diseases, sinusitis, tonsillitis, respiratory system diseases, digestive problems, inadequate oral care. Some metabolic diseases can also cause a specific odor in the mouth.

 Question: What foods can cause bad breath?

Cigarettes and some special tobaccos (smokeless cigarettes) such as Maraş grass both cause their ownml; can cause bad breath both directly due to its bad smell and indirectly by reducing saliva secretion and causing dry mouth. On the other hand, onions, garlic, various spices are foods with their own smells and cause bad breath.

Question: What should be done to prevent bad breath?

For treatment, first of all, the factors that cause bad breath should be eliminated. Bad breath can be prevented by providing continuous oral care by brushing teeth twice a day and using dental floss once a day. In addition; Keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste at work so you can brush your teeth after lunch. Drink plenty of water. If you keep your mouth moist, you will minimize the amount of bacteria that can cause bad breath. If brushing your teeth is not possible, the mouth should be rinsed with water. If possible, you can gargle with salt water. A very small amount of salt taken with your fingertip after a meal alkalizes the oral environment and reduces bacterial activity, preventing both decay and bad breath. Mouthwashes recommended for oral hygiene can also be used. Those undergoing orthodontic treatment should brush their teeth longer and more carefully. Those with oral appliances should brush their teeth with an orthodontic brush. Again, the bases of the 3 intraoral appliances and the underside of the intraoral wires should be brushed at least once a day with an interdental brush.

Question: How should one eat for oral health?

Both in terms of general body health and oral and dental health, The nutrients we hear must be consumed in sufficient and balanced amounts. Otherwise, there will be insufficient development in muscle and bone structure, the body will become prone to infections and oral health will be affected by this. A balanced diet program containing calcium, phosphorus and fluoride should be applied especially to children. Carbohydrate and sugary foods can easily cause bacterial plaque to form on the teeth and cause tooth decay. These foods should not be consumed in large amounts, especially between meals. Carbonated drinks can cause tooth erosion and decay due to the acids they contain. Therefore, it should be consumed in small amounts and the mouth should be rinsed with water after consumption.

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