Toothspot - All About Teeth

How to Floss One of the major causes of tooth loss today is due to gum disease or periodontitis. Plaque and bacteria build up on and between the teeth; their presence serves as a constant irritation for the gums. Flossing helps to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth, areas inaccessible to a toothbrush. How To Floss: Wrap about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of your hands.      Using your thumbs and forefingers gently pass the floss between your teeth. Never "snap" the floss; it can cut the gums. If done improperly, it can injure your gums.  When the floss reaches the gums, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel pressure against the tooth.  Gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss while pulling the floss up through the contact (between the teeth).  Repeat this method on all your teeth.   Move to a clean area of floss after each tooth. 1

Dental Emergencies Avulsed (knocked-out) Teeth: Deciduous (Baby) Teeth. If a deciduous tooth is avulsed, do not place it back in the socket. Deciduous teeth which have been replaced tend to fuse to the bony socket and present with difficulties when it's time for the tooth to exfoliate (fall-out). Also, there's a risk of damaging the permanent tooth underneath when the deciduous tooth is replaced. Permanent Teeth. If knocked-out, a permanent tooth can be replaced in the socket by your dentist; most have a fair chance of surviving. Every minute the tooth is out of the socket decreases the chance of its survival. First Aid Procedures: 1. Find the tooth. 2. Don't touch the tooth's roots. Handle the tooth only by its crown. 3. Don't attempt to clean the tooth. 4. Wrap the tooth lightly in glad wrap or store it in milk or in your mouth (just don't swallow it!) 5. Seek dental help immediately , it's essential that the tooth be replaced within