www.libertydentalplan.com

Making members shine, one smile at a time

™

Maintaining a

Clean and Healthy

Mouth

LIBERTY cares about more than just teeth!

Did you know?

Bacteria are living organisms that eat,

grow, reproduce and discharge waste

matter (biolm) known as dental plaque.

fact:

There are 300 different

types of bacteria inside

your mouth - some

friendly, and some

not so friendly

Teeth are pretty amazing. They help us eat and drink

to survive. Our teeth do the job of breaking down food

into digestible particles and our tongue helps push the

food particles down to our stomach. Gums serve an

important role, too: protecting our teeth. Our mouth is

an important food processing “machine” that our body

needs to function. We can easily take our mouth for

granted, but if the mouth isn’t healthy, our overall health

can decline.

At LIBERTY Dental Plan, our primary goal is to educate

and teach our members the importance oral health has

on overall health and well-being. We encourage our

members to establish a “Dental Home” – an environment

where families have regular dental checkups.

Let’s look at the important role teeth and gums

have, and how we can keep our mouths clean,

healthy and happy.

Inside our mouths

When we eat, and drink, some small food

particles and drink residue gets left behind

in our mouth, and collects in the spaces

between our teeth and gums. Because

these food particles and drink residues are

so small, we don’t even think about it, or the

potential harm they can do inside our mouth.

These particles and residues mix with our saliva

and if left unattended, turn into a sticky lm

called plaque.

This plaque bacteria releases an acid that attacks

the outer shell of your teeth, which leads to cavities. If

the mouth is not regularly cleaned, then more plaque

bacteria builds up on our teeth and can harden into a

rough substance called tarter (or calculus). Tarter collects

along your gum line, and if left unattended, can lead to

gingivitis (inammation of the gums) and gum disease.

Once tarter forms, only a dentist with special tools can

remove it.

Now we know that we have an enemy within our mouth

that can damage our teeth, gums and overall health. To

prevent this, we must practice daily oral health care to

minimize damage and to maintain a clean, healthy and

happy mouth.

www.libertydentalplan.com

Making members shine, one smile at a time

™

Brush for

2 minutes,

2 times a day

Frequently rinsing your mouth

Clean, pure water can help rinse away plaque

bacteria. After eating or drinking sugary drinks, place

some water in your mouth and swoosh it around to

gently rinse your mouth and help ush away food

particles and drink residues. You can also use a

small capful of mouthwash in place of water. Before

bedtime, it is important to note that you should avoid

drinking any sugary drinks right before bed, which will

promote plaque bacteria. It is best to drink only water

right before bed.

Brushing your teeth 2X every day

While rinsing your mouth helps to remove excess food

particles and residues from drinks, brushing your teeth

and gums is the best way to properly clean your

mouth to safeguard your teeth and gums from plaque

bacteria. Brush your teeth twice a day. Using a soft to

medium bristle toothbrush (manual or powered) and a

small amount of toothpaste of your preference, brush

your teeth and gums thoroughly for at least 2 minutes.

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle so that the

toothbrush hits the crevices where the gums meet the

teeth. Brush the front, back and top surfaces of the

teeth, then nish with a quick brushing of the tongue.

After a thorough brushing, your teeth will be sparkling

clean and happy.

If you are unsure how to properly brush your teeth, ask

your dentist to be shown then proper technique at your

next visit.

Flossing your teeth 1X every day

There are crevices between teeth that a toothbrush

just can’t reach. For this reason, it is strongly advised

that you learn to make ossing your teeth 1X every

day a part of your daily routine. Only use dental oss

or disposable oss picks to reach and clean plaque

bacteria from crevices between teeth. Floss between

every tooth in your mouth, especially the teeth way

in the back. It doesn’t matter what time of day you

oss, all that matters is that you do it. If you are unsure

how to properly oss your teeth, ask your dentist to be

shown the proper technique at your next visit.

If you don’t of oss daily, then you are putting your

teeth and gums at a higher risk for cavities and gum

disease. To reduce this risk, you can schedule deep

cleanings with your dentist 4X a year (every 3 months).

At minimum, 3X a year (every 4 months).

Continued

When to replace your toothbrush: every 3-4 months, or sooner

if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t clean your teeth and gums

properly. If brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush is dicult due to hand, arm or

shoulder problems that limit movement, use a powered toothbrush. If you are not sure

what type of toothbrush is best for you, talk with your dentist.

A simple rinse with water can

help remove food particles in your

mouth, and can reduce plaque

from forming.

Establish a daily oral health

hygiene routine in your home.

Learn to make ossing a part of

your daily routine.

Daily oral health hygiene:

www.libertydentalplan.com

Making members shine, one smile at a time

™

Daily oral health hygiene:

(Continued)

Avoiding sugary foods and drinks

Virtually everyone loves foods and drinks that contain

sugar and sugar derivatives. It signals receptors in

the brain to crave and want more, and it can be

addictive, especially to children. Did you know that

there are over 57 variations of processed sugar? All

fall into one of two categories: glucose and fructose.

While glucose can be metabolized by nearly every cell

in the body, fructose cannot. Fructose is metabolized

almost entirely by the liver. While excessive amounts

of glucose can lead to obesity and tooth decay

(cavities), high fructose consumption can lead to

obesity, tooth decay, and diabetes. Processed food

manufactures cleverly combine multiple variations of

sugars into their ingredients to trick consumers.

Both sugar types dissolves in the mouth and leaves

concentrated, miniscule particles on the teeth and

gums that feeds plaque bacteria, which leads to

cavities. The best way to safeguard your mouth, and

your health, is to avoid consuming excess processed

sugars (cane sugar, fructose, and all other 55

chemically engineered processed sugar derivatives;

especially fructose based). Spend some time to learn

about the different sugars and why you should avoid

them. As a safeguard against tooth decay, always

rinse your mouth with water after consuming sugar,

especially right before bed.

Clean your teeth and gums 2X per year

Keep your mouth healthy and happy by seeing your

dentist at least 2X per year. Just like a car, your teeth

need to be maintained regularly. Going to the dentist

is like getting a “tune up.” Your teeth are checked

for cavities, gums and mouth are checked for any

disease, all that built-up tarter is scraped away and

your teeth are polished. After an examination and

deep cleaning, your teeth are invigorated, sparkling

clean, and very happy.

It especially important for pregnant women and

people with diabetes to see their dentist 2X per year.

Diabetics are more prone to oral health problems.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy lowers the risks

of diabetes when combined with a realistic nutrition

plan. If you or someone you know is diabetic, read

our

AdultCare brochure: Diabetes and Oral Health Prevention.

Biannual Dental Home visits:

To protect your teeth and health,

avoid processed foods and drinks

containing chemically engineered

llers and sweeteners.

Did you know?

Drinking black coee prevents

tooth decay! Polyphenol found in

coee breaks up plaque bacteria

from forming in the mouth.

When your teeth and mouth are

clean, you can’t help but smile!