Poor oral health takes more Soldiers out of the fight than the enemy does.
Wisdom teeth and gum disease cause problems, but most dental emergencies are caused by tooth decay or its complications. Tooth decay is usually caused by bacteria (germs) that feed on starchy or sugary snacks and beverages, and by acids that wear away the surfaces of teeth. Soda, juice, sweet tea, sports drinks and energy drinks all contain sugar and acids that can damage teeth.
Saliva is critical for protecting your teeth from decay by neutralizing acids, hardening teeth, and fighting germs. Stressful training or operations can decrease saliva flow, leaving you vulnerable to decay. Prevent dental problems in two ways: watch what you put in your mouth, and clean your mouth every day.
Watch what you put in your mouth. Follow the guidelines in the Nutrition section above, and
you will contribute toward a healthy mouth. Your teeth and gums need the same water intake,
calcium, vitamins and minerals, and protein that the rest of your body does, as well as protection from sugars, acid content, and simple starches.
In addition to a healthy diet:
• If you drink sugary drinks, make sure they are cold and minimize contact with your teeth. You can
use a straw that reaches to the back of your tongue, or just chug the drink down all at once.
• Rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking sugary drinks
• If you drink juice, choose juice that has calcium added, to minimize acid damage.
• Use xylitol-sweetened gum or mints for 5-10 minutes after meals and snacks to fight cavities.
• Avoid tobacco. Tobacco can cause gum disease and oral cancer.
• Use lip balm with sunscreen during sun exposure to prevent lip cancer.
Clean your mouth every day:
• Brush 2 - 3 times a day, every day, with fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and harmful
bacteria from your teeth. Fluoride helps repair early stage tooth decay.
• Brush before going to sleep to provide greater protection for your teeth.
• Use a soft or ultrasoft toothbrush that is small enough to fit around your back teeth.
• Brush your teeth for about 2-3 minutes using a gentle, circular motion. Pay extra attention to the
gum-line, back teeth, and areas around fillings, crowns or bridges.
• Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
• If you have an appliance such as an orthodontic retainer or partial denture, remove it before brushing your teeth. Brush all surfaces of the appliance also.
• Do not rinse your mouth after brushing. Just spit several times to remove excess toothpaste. (Really?)
• Don’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after you brush so the fluoride will stay on your
teeth longer and protect them better
If you can’t brush:
• Swish with water after eating or drinking.
• Wipe your teeth with a clean cloth wrapped around your finger.
• Rub toothpaste on the surfaces of your teeth with your finger.
• Floss once a day. Flossing removes bacteria and food in between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t
reach
• Use 18 inches of floss. Wrap the end of the floss around your middle finger and use your index
finger to guide the floss.
• Insert the floss between your teeth. Pull gently side to side to get it through the tight spots, but be
careful not to saw your gums! Use a different area of the floss for each space.
• Gently move the floss up and down against the tooth in back, then the tooth in front.
• Wrap the floss around the teeth as you’re moving it up and down.
• Your gums may bleed at first when you start flossing every day. If bleeding continues to happen
after a week or two of flossing, see your dentist.
Remember - YOU control whether you get cavities or not! Whenever a dentist tells you there is a problem at your annual exam, get it treated as soon as possible.
Note: Females should be extra vigilant about brushing with fluoride toothpaste 2 or 3 times a day, to prevent cavities and bleeding gums. This is because females tend to make less saliva than males, which can leave them more vulnerable to decay. Fluctuations in female hormones can also negatively affect oral health. Hormones and oral contraceptives can increase bacteria levels in the mouth and
cause changes in the blood vessels in the gums, leading to gingivitis.
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