Methods and means of individual oral hygiene. Features of individual oral hygiene: means, methods and recommendations of experts. Basic hygiene products

As shown by numerous clinical and experimental studies of various authors, the condition of the teeth and periodontium is directly dependent on the hygienic condition of the oral cavity. Among the population, and a number of specialists, there is still an opinion that the issues of oral hygiene are known to everyone and do not need special explanations. However, observations show that it is important not only to explain, but also to instill hygiene habits in patients and monitor their progress. It is necessary to achieve daily absolute removal of any plaque from the teeth. All the efforts of the doctor will be unsuccessful if the patient undergoes regular treatment and does not follow the doctor's advice on oral hygiene at home. The doctor must teach the patient to clean not only easily accessible places, but also all nooks and crannies, the processing of which requires certain skills and training.
Maintaining a good hygienic condition ensures the basic physiological processes in the oral cavity: chewing, digestion, self-cleaning, mineralization. Therefore, educating the public about the rules and methods of oral care is an important task for all healthcare professionals.
Individual oral hygiene
Toothbrushes. The toothbrush is the main tool for removing deposits from the surface of the teeth and gums. There are many types of toothbrushes.
The toothbrush consists of a handle, a neck and a head (working part), on which bundles of bristles are fixed in rows. For many years, natural bristles were used for toothbrushes, but recently artificial bristles have been favored. Artificial fiber toothbrushes have a number of advantages: artificial bristles do not have channels filled with microorganisms; surface of setae smooth, non-porous; the end of the fiber is rounded; hardness adjustment is possible.
For effective brushing of teeth, the size of the working part (head) of the brush is important. For adults, the most acceptable brush head is 22-28 mm long and 8-11 mm wide, for children 20 and 8 mm, respectively.
The brush head should provide optimal access to the molars and be compact, smooth, with rounded corners. The neck should be thin, rounded and at a slight angle to the handle. The handle should be well held and not cause fatigue when moving.
The tips of the bristles should be rounded, as otherwise their sharp, jagged edges can injure the gums. The organization of the bristles also plays an important role in the removal of plaque, the most suitable being a linear organization.
The frequency and shape of the bush planting are also important in the design of the brush. The most convenient is the frequency of planting beams 2.0-2.5 mm apart from each other with their parallel rows (no more than 4 rows) and a flat bristle surface.
Brushes with complex contours of the brush field are commercially available (this is generated by the artistic intentions of the manufacturers). Special clinical observations have shown that such brushes can be traumatic, since during brushing the entire load falls on a small number of bristles protruding from the tuft.
The most effective brushes with soft and medium hardness. The bristles of these brushes are more flexible, clean the gingival sulcus and better penetrate into the interdental spaces, injuring the gums less.
Loss of bristles, their deformation indicate the need to replace the toothbrush, usually after 3-4 months.
The toothbrush gets dirty easily, so it must be kept absolutely clean. After brushing your teeth, the brush should be rinsed under running water and thoroughly cleaned of food debris, toothpaste and plaque. Store it in such a way that it can dry well, for example, in a glass with the head up. This significantly reduces the number of microorganisms in the brush, and the bristles retain their hardness and shape.
However, even careful observance of the rules of oral hygiene using only a toothbrush does not allow to achieve good cleaning of the plaque from the lateral surfaces of the teeth and interdental spaces. As a result, in addition to a toothbrush, it is necessary to use other means: dental floss (floss), toothpicks, special toothbrushes (with one bundle), interdental stimulators, oral irrigators.
Dental floss (floss). The purpose of using dental floss is to remove plaque from hard-to-reach approximal surfaces, as well as food debris that gets stuck between the teeth. Apply waxed and unwaxed threads, round, flat, fluffy. Regardless of the type of thread, when used correctly, the cleaning efficiency is the same. However, the flat and waxed floss passes through the contact points more easily, does not break, and covers a large surface of the tooth. Flossing should be part of your daily oral care routine. It is convenient to do this before brushing your teeth.

The method of using dental floss (Fig. 39):

Flossing should end with a thorough rinsing of the mouth with water. Never make sudden movements between the teeth, as

gum can be damaged. If the floss is difficult to pass between the teeth, then use careful sawing movements. If there is difficulty in moving the floss between the teeth, then it is better to contact a dentist who will find out and eliminate the cause.
When using dental floss, slight soreness and bleeding of the gums are possible at first. But with regular use of the method, these phenomena disappear.
Toothpicks. Another complementary and well-established oral hygiene tool is the toothpick. Like dental floss, toothpicks remove food debris from the interdental spaces and plaque from the sides of the teeth. The use of toothpicks is more effective if there are gaps between the teeth. If the teeth are located tightly and the interdental space is filled with the gingival papilla, then the possibilities of using toothpicks are limited by the gingival sulcus. In these cases, the toothpick is placed at approximately a 45° angle to the tooth, with the tip in the sulcus and the side against the surface of the tooth. Then the tip of the toothpick is moved along the tooth, following from the base of the groove to the contact point of the teeth, trying not to injure the gingival papilla. This procedure is repeated on the lateral surface of the adjacent tooth.
Toothpicks are made of soft wood or plastic and can be triangular, flat or round in shape.
Special toothbrushes. Apply with atypical structure of the dentition, the presence of non-removable bridges, splints. The working part of such brushes consists of one bundle of bristles, usually trimmed in the shape of a cone. In addition, there are brushes that resemble dishwashing brushes. Such brushes are well cleaned wide interdental spaces, as well as spaces under bridges.
Interdental stimulators and oral irrigators. Interdental stimulators are rubber or plastic cones that are found at the ends of the handles of some toothbrushes. Preference should be given to rubber tips. Interdental stimulators serve mainly to massage the gums. With light pressure on the gingival papilla, circular movements are made in the interdental space.
Irrigators are used after brushing your teeth. A pulsating or constant jet of water has an additional cleansing and massaging effect.
Dental floss, toothpicks and other products do not replace a toothbrush, they can be used in addition to brushing your teeth.
Toothpaste. These are currently the most common hygiene products. They must have good cleansing properties, be harmless to the surrounding tissues, pleasant to the taste, with low abrasiveness and improved deodorizing properties, and have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect.
Both domestic and foreign industry produces a wide range of toothpastes.
The main components of toothpaste are abrasive, gelling and foaming substances, as well as dyes, fragrances and substances that improve its taste. Abrasives provide the cleaning and polishing effect of the pastes.
The consistency of the pastes is due to the presence of hydrocolloids, most often the sodium salt of alginic acid.
Polyhydric alcohols - glycerin, polyethylene glycol - are introduced into toothpastes to obtain a plastic mass that is easily squeezed out of the tube. These alcohols contribute to the preservation of moisture in the paste during its storage, increase the freezing point, increase the stability of the foam formed during cleaning, and improve the taste of the paste.
Toothpastes also contain foaming agents, in particular surfactants. Depending on their type and quantity, toothpastes can be foaming and non-foaming. Foaming pastes are more effective, as they have an increased cleaning ability, easily wash out food debris, and remove plaque well.
Toothpastes, depending on their composition, can be divided into hygienic and treatment-and-prophylactic. Hygienic pastes have only a cleansing and refreshing effect. Representatives of therapeutic and prophylactic pastes are fluoride-containing toothpastes.
Fluoride toothpastes became widely used in the late 1960s and are recognized in many countries as the most important tool for maintaining dental health. Currently, 95% of toothpastes produced abroad are fluoride-containing. They are considered by many scientists to be the most cost-effective and effective fluoride preparations for personal use, which mainly help to reduce the prevalence of caries in the world. The concentration of fluorine in them is 0.1-0.15%. An indispensable requirement for fluoride-containing toothpastes is a certain content of the active fluoride ion in them. Fluoride, present in the oral cavity, inhibits the metabolism of sugars by bacteria, which leads to a decrease in the formation of acids and the growth of plaque. It has a bactericidal effect on cariogenic bacteria. Being present in enamel, saliva and dental plaque, fluorine contributes to the “recovery” of early carious lesions, accelerating remineralization.
Fluoride toothpastes are recommended for adults and children of all ages. But you don't have to wait for immediate relief from cavities with fluoride toothpastes, you need to use them for the rest of your life.
These pastes do not have any side effects on the human body, and there are no contraindications to their use. Pastes can be used in parallel with the use of fluoridated water or fluoride tablets, and can also be combined with topical use of fluoride compounds. This achieves a total anti-caries effect.
Toothpaste has a certain shelf life - about a year. Then she becomes dangerous in a chemical? com and bacteriological respect.
Before you buy a paste, you should make sure that it is fluorine-containing, hermetically sealed and has not expired. Almost all imported pastes contain fluorine.
Teeth brushing technique. Oral hygiene using a toothbrush and toothpaste is part of general human hygiene. Good oral hygiene can only be maintained by carefully following the rules of brushing your teeth. In doing so, it is necessary to be guided by three main provisions:

hygienic care of the oral cavity should be carried out regularly, with the number of brush movements necessary to clean all surfaces and the expenditure of a certain time;
without proper teaching of patients to brush their teeth, it is impossible to ensure the necessary level of oral hygiene;
the state of oral hygiene and compliance with the rules of brushing teeth should be monitored by medical personnel, which allows you to consolidate hygiene skills and ensure its high level.

The first question that arises in the patient is how many times a day should you brush your teeth? It is optimal to brush your teeth 2 times a day: in the morning before breakfast and at night.
The second question is how long does it take to clean the teeth? It has been established that it takes about 3 minutes for a good mechanical cleaning of all sides of each tooth (this is only for working with a toothbrush). Cleaning the interdental spaces and rinsing takes about 5-7 more minutes.
It is necessary to brush your teeth in front of a mirror, checking and controlling the degree of their cleaning. At first, it is recommended to brush your teeth under the control of an hourglass (in the first days, 3 minutes of brushing will seem very long).
The most important step in brushing teeth is teaching patients the correct movements of the toothbrush. Many people believe that circular or horizontal brush strokes are the most effective. It has now been proven that the 'scraping' method is more effective for most people. It is easily digestible and

acceptable than other methods. The use of this method, along with the correct choice of toothbrushes, allows the most complete removal of plaque.
Cleaning method. Squeeze 0.5 cm of toothpaste onto a wet toothbrush. The bristles of the brush are placed at an angle of 45 ° to the gum (they seem to enter the gingival groove, Fig. 40).

With light scraping movements, move the brush horizontally (back and forth) by half the width of the tooth (short movements). As a result, plaque moves from the area of accumulation at the edge of the gum to the neck of the tooth and into the interdental spaces (buccal and lingual embrasures). Several longer sweeping strokes are then used to remove plaque from the gum line and between the teeth towards the incisal and chewing surfaces. In conclusion, the chewing surfaces are thoroughly cleaned in the longitudinal and transverse directions with short scraping movements, allowing the bristles to enter the recesses of the chewing surface (Fig. 41).
It is necessary to gently, without much pressure, clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of each tooth, concentrating on 1 or 2 teeth at a time.

Rice. 42. The sequence of cleaning surfaces, aubav on the upper (a) and lower (b) jaws.

Surface cleaning procedures. Brushing teeth should start from the inner surface of the molars of one side of the upper jaw and, gradually moving forward, brush the inner surface of all teeth. Then they move to the outside (with closed teeth) and clean again to * lars, from where they started processing; they finish the stitch with the processing of chewing surfaces. The same sequence processes the teeth of the jaw (Fig. 42).

Maintaining oral hygiene is the key to healthy teeth. As a result, the process of enamel destruction may begin or develop.

The most effective way to prevent dental diseases is to follow the rules of oral care using all the means recommended by a specialist. Therefore, simple should not be limited.

Prevention includes a complex of various activities:

and tongue twice a day;
after meals;
to clean the interdental space;
visiting the dental office twice a year for the timely detection of diseases.

Keeping your teeth, tongue and gums healthy is essential to prevent dental disease. If you do not observe oral hygiene, a thick coating will be deposited on the tongue.

You can get rid of food debris using a brush, but if you have it, you can not do without special tools and tools. To prevent this, it is necessary to observe not only independent oral hygiene, but also resort to professional.

Methods of individual oral hygiene

When it comes to hygiene, it is important not only to use suitable products, but also to know the cleaning technique.

Basic rules for cleaning the oral cavity:

It is necessary to start cleaning from the upper dentition:
the process of cleaning the teeth should last from 3 to 4 minutes.

Teeth brushing scheme

There are several techniques for cleaning the oral cavity, the Leonard method is considered the most effective. It lies in the fact that the brush must be positioned perpendicular to the dentition. On the lower jaw, the manipulations should be from the bottom up, and on the upper jaw - from the top down.

There is also another method of cleansing the oral cavity - “Steelmann”. Its essence lies in the fact that the toothbrush should be located at an angle of 45 degrees.

When cleaning, light movements and a slight pressure on the brush are necessary so that it can penetrate between the teeth for greater efficiency. The cleaning process itself is carried out according to a circular technique, provided that the jaw is closed, while the brush should not touch the gums so as not to injure it.

teeth are vulnerable to the effects of food, for this reason it is recommended. It is not necessary to use a brush, ordinary warm water is enough to rinse your mouth;
is a prerequisite for maintaining the normal condition of the gums and teeth, since not all brushes are able to remove food debris from the space between the teeth. It also reduces the risk of occurrence. When performing the procedure for cleaning the interdental space, it is important to be careful, making gentle movements with the floss and not exerting pressure so as not to damage the gums;
Traditional teeth cleaning should be carried out without fail: in the morning and in the evening.

Professional hygiene procedures in dentistry

Professional oral hygiene is necessary for and. For this procedure, you need to visit a dentist. There are no age restrictions in professional hygiene, but at the same time, the specialist must take into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Stages of professional hygiene:

Items and means of individual oral hygiene

The main means for individual oral hygiene include:

, and gel;
therapeutic and prophylactic chewing gum.

If dental implantation has been performed, the selected paste should be intended for implants. If you need to lighten the surface of the enamel, you can use the whitening option. And to strengthen the teeth, restorative pastes are used.

Additional means of personal hygiene of the oral cavity include:

dental floss and toothpicks;
scraper brushes;
teeth whitener;
powder either;
foam;
deodorant;

Tips for choosing personal hygiene products from dentists

The choice of paste is quite an important moment for maintaining personal hygiene and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. There are a large number of these funds on the market and it is usually difficult to choose a good product, focusing only on the cost of the goods.

In order not to harm the health of the teeth, it is necessary to select a paste recommended by dentists and suitable for daily hygiene procedures.

They are curative and preventive, in the first case they are selected exclusively by the attending physician. Dentists recommend changing the paste every 2 months and, if necessary, using products with different effects.

Before purchasing dental floss, you should consult with a specialist. used for people with a wide interdental space.

Flat floss can be used for highly crowded teeth. Bulk flosses are used for those who suffer from and. There are also superflosses, they are threads of a more universal version, having sections of different diameters.

For the prevention of caries, preference should be given to products based on sodium fluoride or aminofluoride. The fluorine content in the solution should not be below 250 ppm.

You should not choose a rinse, which contains, they can only be used for 2-3 weeks. Such funds are prescribed to patients as part of or.

Motorists and children should pay attention to the rinse aid being alcohol-free.

Related videos

About common personal oral hygiene products and how to use them in the video:

The choice of means for individual oral hygiene is extremely important for the prevention of various diseases. To determine the most suitable toothbrushes, paste, floss, rinse and other devices, it is best to consult a dentist. They will be recommended depending on the presence of any inflammation or other oral problems.

The leading component of the prevention of dental diseases is oral hygiene. Systematic brushing of teeth, removal of soft dental deposits contribute to the physiological process of maturation of tooth enamel. Biologically active components of hygiene products (toothpastes, elixirs) enrich tooth and periodontal tissues with phosphate, calcium, trace elements, vitamins, increasing their resistance to harmful effects. Regular massage of the gums when brushing your teeth helps to activate metabolic processes, improve blood circulation in periodontal tissues.

Personal hygiene - provides for the careful and regular removal of dental deposits from the surfaces of the teeth and gums by the patient himself using various hygiene products.

To achieve the best efficiency from hygiene measures, various oral care products and items are used. Recently, their range has become especially wide and varied.

Using modern means to remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, one cannot ignore the method by which this is done. Currently, various methods of removing plaque are known, however, taking into account the individual characteristics of the oral cavity, it is advisable to recommend to the patient the best method by which a good cleaning effect will be obtained.

To achieve this goal, the doctor requires detailed instruction and demonstration of the selected method on the model, and the patient requires consistent execution of movements until he fully masters the chosen technique with daily brushing of the teeth.

Circle methodPhones. With this method, the vestibular surfaces of the teeth are cleaned in a closed state. The brush field is placed in the right corner on the upper or lower vestibular surfaces of the teeth, the cleaning is performed in a circular motion, excluding the marginal part of the gum. When opening the mouth, clean the oral surfaces with small rotational movements. Horizontal or rotational movements clean the occlusal surfaces of the teeth. This method is shown to children and adults.

MethodLeonard. The toothbrush is set perpendicular to the surface of the teeth, vertical movements are made only in the direction from the gum to the crown of the tooth:

on the upper jaw - from top to bottom, on the lower jaw - from bottom to top. The vestibular surfaces of the teeth are cleaned with closed jaws, the chewing surfaces are cleaned with back and forth movements of the brush. This method is known as the "red to white" method - "from gum to tooth".

MethodBass. The toothbrush head is placed at an angle of 45° to the tooth axis. The ends of the fibers are pressed against the enamel and papillae. In this position, vibrating movements with a small amplitude are produced. The fibers penetrate into the interdental spaces and the gingival sulcus, thereby contributing to a good removal of plaque. The Bass method is not entirely simple. Improper positioning of the toothbrush, for example, vertical to the axis of the tooth, leads to damage to the epithelial attachment and gingiva. This method is indicated for adults.

MethodCharters. The head of the toothbrush is set at an angle of 45° to the axis of the tooth so that the ends of the fibers, touching the outer surface of the crown, reach the cutting edge. With light pressure, the tips of the bristles are gently pushed into the interdental spaces. In this position, vibrating movements are carried out. The fibers come into contact with the marginal gum and massage.

MethodStillmann. In this technique, the bristles of the toothbrush are set at an angle of 45° in the direction of the roots of the teeth, followed by a turn of the brush in the direction of the crowns. At the same time, bristles under pressure clean the interdental spaces. In the frontal area of the oral cavity, the toothbrush is placed vertically, and the brushing technique is repeated. In the area of each tooth, these movements are recommended to be repeated 4-5 times.

modified methodStillmann. The toothbrush is installed parallel to the axis of the dentition, while the bristles cover the coronal part of the teeth and the mucous membrane. The bristles are pressed against the dentition in the mucous area, and then with small vibrating movements the brush rises to the level of the chewing surface.

Standard method of brushing teeth Pakhomova G. N. The dentition is conditionally divided into several segments. Toothbrushing begins with a site in the region of the upper right chewing teeth, sequentially moving from segment to segment. In the same order, teeth are cleaned in the lower jaw. When cleaning the vestibular and oral surfaces of molars and premolars, the working part of the toothbrush is placed at an angle of 45 ° to the tooth and cleansing movements are made from gum to tooth, while simultaneously removing plaque from the gum teeth. The chewing surfaces of the teeth are cleaned with horizontal (reciprocating) movements so that the brush fibers penetrate deep into the fissures and interdental spaces.

The vestibular surface of the frontal group of teeth of the upper and lower jaws is cleaned with the same movements as molars and premolars. When cleaning the oral surface, the brush handle is placed perpendicular to the occlusal plane of the teeth, while the fibers are at an acute angle to them and capture not only the teeth, but also the gums. Finish cleaning all segments in a circular motion.

Toothbrushes

The toothbrush is the main tool for removing deposits from the surface of the teeth and gums. It is known that the peoples of Asia, Africa, South America used devices similar to a toothbrush, as early as 300-400 years BC. e. Toothbrushes began to be used in Russia around the 18th century. Currently, there are many models of toothbrushes, the purpose of which is to remove plaque from the smooth and occlusal surfaces of the teeth. The toothbrush consists of a handle and a working part (head) with bundles of bristles located on it. Types of toothbrushes differ in the shape and size of the handles and the working part, the location and density, length and quality of the bristles. For toothbrushes, natural bristles or synthetic fibers (nylon, setron, perlon, dederlon, polyurethane, etc.) are used. However, compared to synthetic fiber, natural bristles have a number of disadvantages: the presence of a median channel filled with microorganisms, the difficulty of keeping the brushes clean, the impossibility of perfectly even processing of the ends of the bristles, and the difficulty of imparting a certain rigidity to it. The effectiveness of the use of a toothbrush is determined by the correct individual selection, taking into account its rigidity, the size of the brush field, the shape and frequency of the bushing of the fibers.

There are five degrees of hardness of toothbrushes:

Very tough;

Very soft.

Recommendations to patients on the use of a toothbrush of varying degrees of hardness are purely individual. The most widely used brushes are of medium hardness. Typically, children's toothbrushes are made from very soft or soft fiber. Toothbrushes of the same degree of hardness are recommended for patients with periodontal disease. Hard and very hard toothbrushes can only be recommended for people with healthy periodontal tissues, however, with the wrong brushing method, they can injure the gums and cause abrasion of hard tooth tissues.

It should be noted that brushes of medium hardness and soft ones are the most effective, since their bristles are more flexible and better penetrate the interdental spaces, tooth fissures and subgingival areas.

The size of the working part determines the ability of the toothbrush to clean all surfaces of the teeth, even hard-to-reach ones. At present (for both adults and children), it is recommended to use brushes with a small head, which are easy to manipulate in the mouth. Its dimensions for children are 18-25 mm, for adults - no more than 30 mm, while the fibers are organized into bundles, which are usually located in 3 or 4 rows. This arrangement of fibers allows you to better clean all surfaces of the teeth.

There are many models of toothbrushes with different shapes of the working part.

Toothbrushes with a V-shaped fit of the fiber bundles are recommended for cleaning plaque from the contact surfaces of the teeth in individuals with wide interdental spaces. In most cases, the working part of toothbrushes has tufts of bristles of different heights: longer (softer) along the periphery, shorter ones in the center.

New models of toothbrushes have a power ledge for better cleaning of the molars and deep penetration into the interdental spaces, as well as an active recess that allows you to clean all surfaces of the teeth and massage the attached gums. Some toothbrush heads consist of a combination of tufts of bristles, varying in height and positioned at different angles to the base. Each group of beams contributes to a more thorough removal of plaque in a particular area of the dentition. Straight high fibers clean plaque in the interdental spaces; short - in fissures. Fiber bundles located in an oblique direction, penetrating into the gingival sulcus, remove plaque from the cervical region. New models of toothbrushes often have an indicator - two rows of fiber bundles dyed with multi-colored food coloring. As you use the brushes, their discoloration occurs. The signal to replace the brush is discoloration by 1/2 of the height of the bristle, which usually occurs after 2-3 months with daily brushing twice a day.

The shape of the toothbrush handle can also be different: straight, curved, spoon-shaped, etc., however, its length should be sufficient to provide maximum comfort when brushing your teeth.

There are toothbrushes in which, when brushing your teeth (within 2-3 minutes), the initial color of the handle changes. It is advisable to recommend this model of a toothbrush to children, which makes it possible to teach a child to brush their teeth properly. The same property is possessed by toothbrushes, in which a rattle is mounted in the handle. With correct (vertical) movements of the brush, a sound is made, and with horizontal (incorrect) movements, the toothbrush is "silent".

Electric toothbrushes- with their help, circular or vibrating automatic movements of the working part are carried out, this allows you to carefully remove plaque and at the same time massage the gums. The use of an electric toothbrush can be recommended for children, disabled people or patients with insufficient dexterity (dexterity).

Additional oral hygiene products include toothpicks, dental floss (floss), special toothbrushes and brushes.

toothpicks designed to remove food debris from the interdental spaces and plaque from the side surfaces of the teeth. When using toothpicks, they are placed at an angle of 45 ° to the tooth, while its end is in the gingival groove, and the side is pressed against the surface of the tooth. Then the tip of the toothpick is advanced along the tooth, following from the base

grooves to the contact point of the teeth. Improper use of a toothpick can cause injury to the interdental papilla and change its contour. This in turn leads to the formation of space, a gap between the teeth. Toothpicks are made of wood and plastic, their shape can be triangular, flat and round, sometimes toothpicks are flavored with menthol.

Floss designed to thoroughly remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-brush contact surfaces of the teeth. Floss can be waxed or unwaxed, round or flat, sometimes with menthol impregnation.

How to use thread. A thread 35 - 40 cm long is wound around the first phalanx of the middle fingers of both hands. Then, a stretched thread is carefully inserted (with the help of index fingers - on the lower jaw and thumbs - on the upper jaw) along the contact surface of the tooth, trying not to injure the periodontal papilla. With a few movements of the thread, all soft deposits are removed. Consistently clean the contact surfaces on all sides of each tooth. With inept use, you can injure the gums, so the use of threads is possible only after prior patient education. Children can floss on their own from the age of 9-10. Before this age, it is recommended for parents to clean the contact surfaces of the teeth in children.

Currently, threads impregnated with fluoride have begun to be used. This type of hygiene product allows you to further strengthen the enamel in hard-to-reach places for brushing your teeth and help prevent caries. In addition, there are superflosses - threads with one-sided thickening. These threads allow you to clean the contact surfaces of the teeth, and also contribute to a more thorough removal of food debris and plaque from orthopedic and orthodontic structures in the oral cavity.

Special toothbrushes designed to clean interdental spaces, cervical areas of teeth, spaces under bridges and fixed orthodontic structures. Their working part may consist of one bundle of fibers trimmed in the form of a cone or several bundles placed in one row.

Toothpastes

Toothpastes should be good at removing soft plaque, food debris; be pleasant in taste, have a good deodorizing and refreshing effect and have no side effects: locally irritating and allergenic.

The main components of toothpastes are abrasive, gel-forming and foaming substances, as well as fragrances, dyes and substances that improve the palatability of the paste. The effectiveness of brushing your teeth depends on the abrasive components of the pastes, which provide a cleansing and polishing effect.

Abrasive substances react with inorganic compounds of tooth enamel. In this regard, along with the classic abrasive compound - chemically precipitated chalk, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, dicalcium phosphate monohydrate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate, aluminum hydroxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium silicate, polymeric compounds of methyl methacrylate are widely used. Often, not one abrasive substance is used, but a mixture of two components, for example, chalk and dicalcium phosphate, chalk and aluminum hydroxide, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate, etc.

Each abrasive compound has a certain degree of dispersion, hardness, pH value, which determine the abrasive ability and alkalinity of the pastes obtained on their basis. When developing formulations, the choice of abrasive depends on the properties and purpose of toothpastes. Among synthetic hydrocolloids, derivatives of cellulose, cotton or wood are widely used - sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl and methyl ethers of cellulose.

Polyhydric alcohols - glycerin, polyethylene glycol - are used as part of toothpastes to obtain a plastic, homogeneous mass, which is easily squeezed out of the tube. These alcohols contribute to the preservation of moisture in the paste during storage, increase the freezing point, increase the stability of the foam formed during brushing, and improve the palatability of the paste.

Of the foaming agents in toothpastes, surfactants such as alizarin oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate and sodium salt of fatty acid tauride are used. The components of the toothpaste should be harmless, not irritating to the oral mucosa and have a high foaming ability.

Recently, gel-like toothpastes based on silicon oxide compounds and having a high foaming ability have found application. Gel pastes are palatable, have a different color due to the added dyes, however, the cleaning power of some of these pastes is lower than pastes containing a chalk base or dicalcium phosphate.

Toothpastes may contain biologically active components, which makes it possible to use them as the main means of preventing dental caries and periodontal disease.

The most popular therapeutic and prophylactic means are fluoride-containing toothpastes. These pastes are recommended for children and adults for the prevention of dental caries.

Sodium and tin fluorides, monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride acidified with phosphates, and, more recently, organic fluorine compounds (aminofluorides) are introduced into the composition of toothpastes as anticaries additives.

Fluorides increase the resistance of teeth to acids formed by plaque microorganisms, enhance enamel remineralization and inhibit the metabolism of plaque microorganisms. It has been established that an indispensable condition for the prevention of caries is the presence of an active (unbound) fluoride ion.

Adult toothpastes contain 0.11% to 0.76% sodium fluoride or 0.38% to 1.14% sodium monofluorophosphate. In the composition of children's toothpastes, fluoride compounds are found in smaller quantities (up to 0.023%). The combination of sodium fluoride and calcium and silica abrasives in some toothpastes is a special Fluoristat system.

To reduce the amount of plaque and inhibit the growth of tartar crystals, toothpastes include components such as triclosan, which has an antibacterial effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and a copolymer that promotes a prolonged action of triclosan for 12 hours after brushing. The entry of fluoride into tooth enamel increases its resistance to acid demineralization due to the formation of structures more resistant to dissolution. Pastes containing in their composition potassium and sodium phosphates, calcium and sodium glycerophosphates, calcium gluconate, zinc oxide, have a pronounced anti-caries effect. A similar effect has toothpastes containing derivatives of chitin and chitosan, which have an affinity for proteins and are able to inhibit the adsorption of Streptococcus mutans, mitis, sanguis on the surface of hydroxyapatite. The components that make up some toothpastes, such as remodent 3%, calcium glycerophosphate 0.13%, synthetic hydroxyapatite (from 2% to 17%), help reduce enamel hypersensitivity by closing the inlets of the dentinal tubules.

The use of therapeutic toothpastes is a simple and affordable form of prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Biologically active substances are introduced into their composition: enzymes, vitamins, microelements, salts, antiseptics, medicinal herbs.

Toothpastes containing brine from the Pomorie estuaries as an active ingredient improve blood supply to periodontal tissues, their trophism, and have a preventive and therapeutic effect.

Anti-inflammatory effect is exerted by toothpastes with additives of preparations based on medicinal herbs: chamomile, St. John's wort, cloves, yarrow, calamus, calendula, sage, ginseng root extract. Toothpastes containing lavender extract have a moderate bactericidal effect on streptococci and staphylococci and a pronounced effect on Candida albicans fungi.

To accelerate the regenerative processes of the mucous membrane, biologically active components are introduced into toothpastes - enzymes, oil solutions of vitamins A and E, carotenoline.

Recently, therapeutic and prophylactic toothpastes have been widely used, which help reduce gum bleeding, have a weak analgesic, a pronounced anti-inflammatory and regenerative effect. The composition of such pastes includes several medicinal plants. For example, sage, peppermint, chamomile, echinacea, myrrh and rattania; a complex mixture that combines chlorophyll, vitamin E and extracts of medicinal plants.

Chewing gum- a tool that improves the hygienic condition of the oral cavity by increasing the amount of saliva and the rate of salivation, which helps to clean the surfaces of the tooth and neutralize organic acids secreted by plaque bacteria.

Chewing gum exerts its effect on oral tissues in the following ways:

Increases the rate of salivation;

Stimulates the secretion of saliva with increased buffer capacity;

Helps neutralize plaque acids;

Favors the rinsing of hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity with saliva;

Improves the clearance of sucrose from saliva;

Helps remove food debris.

The composition of chewing gum includes: base (to bind all the ingredients), sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup or sweeteners), flavors (for good taste and aroma), softeners (to create the appropriate consistency during chewing).

One of the most important properties of chewing gum is its ability to increase salivation three times compared to the state of rest, while saliva also enters hard-to-reach interdental areas.

Currently, chewing gum containing sweeteners, especially xylitol, whose anti-cariesogenic effect was first shown by studies at the University of Turku, Finland, is predominantly influencing. Xylitol, received with chewing gum, remains in the oral cavity for a long time and has a beneficial effect.

It is necessary to dwell on objections to the use of chewing gum, mentioning diseases of the stomach, lesions of the temporomandibular joint. If chewing gum is used correctly, such a pathology will not occur.

In accordance with the results of numerous studies, the following recommendations for the use of chewing gum can be offered:

Chewing gum should be used by both children and adults;

It is better to use chewing gum that does not contain sugar;

Chewing gum should be used, if possible, after each meal and sweets;

To avoid undesirable consequences, chewing gum should be used no more than 20 minutes after eating;

It must be remembered that the uncontrolled and indiscriminate use of chewing gum many times during the day can be harmful.

Dental elixirs designed for rinsing the mouth. They improve the cleaning of the surfaces of the teeth, prevent the formation of plaque, and deodorize the oral cavity. Biologically active components are usually added to the composition of elixirs. Elixir "Xident" contains sodium fluoride, the drug xidifon, which, being a regulator of calcium levels in the body, prevents the formation of plaque and calculus. It has an anti-carious, anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect.

Elixirs "Forest", "Paradontax", "Salviathymol" containing complexes of herbal supplements - infusions of herbs of sage, chamomile, myrrh, echinacea have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and deodorizing property.

Regular use of "Plax" mouthwash with active ingredients (triclosan, sodium fluoride) before brushing your teeth helps to effectively remove plaque and reduce dental caries.

Elixir "Sensitive", which contains stannous fluoride, has an anti-carious effect and helps to reduce the hypersensitivity of tooth enamel.

Individual oral hygiene the most accessible and easy to use, has a high efficiency.

Individual hygiene - provides for the careful and regular removal of dental deposits from the surfaces of the teeth and gums by the patient himself using various hygiene products.

Children are taught oral hygiene from an early age. From 1.5-2 years of age, they begin to teach children to rinse their mouths with water after eating, at 2-2.5 years they learn to brush their teeth with a toothbrush without toothpaste. First, the child should be shown how to hold the toothbrush, what movements to perform. Then, taking the child's hand, they help him to perform these movements. By the age of 3, children should learn to brush their teeth daily, 2 times a day, from 4-5 years old they begin to use toothpaste. At this age, the child should have a fixed sequence of manipulations when brushing his teeth:

v washing hands with soap

v rinsing the mouth with water

v rinsing the toothbrush

v squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush

v brushing teeth with a toothbrush with toothpaste from all sides (10 movements in each area)

v rinsing the mouth with water

v washing toothbrush

v leaving the toothbrush in the glass with the bristles up

Your doctor should help you choose the right dentifrice. It must be remembered that with inept use, tooth powder can enter the respiratory tract, so young children should be recommended toothpastes.

Children 4-5 years of age and older should develop oral care skills, proper technique, good quality. From this age, controlled brushing of the teeth should be carried out. It consists in determining hygiene indices before and after brushing teeth (quality), fixing the time spent on brushing, observing movements during brushing (technique).

A child over 4-5 years old should brush their teeth for at least 2-3 minutes, while making 200-250 movements. With a tendency to plaque formation, the maintenance of the teeth at the required hygienic level should be monitored by parents. They remove plaque with cotton swabs, turundas moistened with soda solution, wipe their teeth after eating.

To achieve the best efficiency from hygiene measures, various oral care products and items are used. Recently, their range has become especially wide and varied.

Using modern means to remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, one cannot ignore the method by which this is done. Currently, there are various methods for removing plaque. However, taking into account the individual characteristics of the oral cavity, it is advisable to recommend to the patient the best method by which a good cleaning effect will be obtained.

The health of our teeth and gums is directly dependent on proper oral hygiene. The value of daily hygiene procedures is difficult to overestimate, but it is often easy to underestimate and pay with the loss of teeth even at a young age. So the statement of dentists that one of the most effective and at the same time simple ways to prevent dental diseases is the correct and regular hygiene of the teeth and oral cavity in children and adults is more relevant than ever. We should not forget that hygiene procedures should not be limited to just brushing your teeth at home.

Preventive oral hygiene is a complex event that includes daily brushing of teeth and a visit to the hygienist at least once a year. The fact is that in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums, it is necessary to remove dental deposits, as well as thick plaque on the tongue, in a timely and high-quality manner. Food debris and soft plaque can be removed with a toothbrush and toothpaste. But the removal of tartar (mineralized dental deposits) is performed by a dentist using special tools and tools, for example, Air Flow. In this regard, comprehensive oral care includes individual and professional hygiene.

Individual oral hygiene

Personal oral hygiene is most effective if you follow certain rules about how exactly you should brush your teeth. As you know, there are many ways - each of them is correct and complete, it all depends on our personal preferences. But still, it is advisable to listen to the following recommendations of dentists:

always start brushing your teeth with the same dentition;
follow a certain sequence of brushing your teeth so as not to miss any area;
Cleaning should be carried out at the same pace in order to withstand the required duration of cleansing.

Of course, you need to pay attention to the technique of brushing your teeth. If, for example, you brush your teeth across the dentition, then the enamel will wear off over time. Therefore, individual oral hygiene must be carried out with observance of the technique of brushing your teeth (even circular movements cannot be made - they must be perfectly round). And in our performance, they are rather oval. Therefore, due to non-compliance with this important rule, enamel by about 35 years old is badly damaged, if not completely erased. However, if you are using an ultrasonic brush, all of the above is not relevant to you. In addition, do not forget that cleaning the tongue with special scrapers is a necessary component of oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene products

Oral hygiene products are a kind of multicomponent system, which includes a variety of natural and synthetic substances intended for both preventive and therapeutic effects on the oral cavity as a whole.

The main means of individual oral hygiene:

toothpastes, gels, tooth powders;
toothbrushes;
chewing gum (therapeutic and prophylactic).

Toothpastes are recommended to choose depending on the presence of certain problems or specific tasks. If you have had dental implants, then the best choice would be toothpaste for implants. To lighten the surface of the enamel, you should pay attention to whitening pastes. But to strengthen the teeth, restorative products are suitable, for example, Theodent toothpaste with theobromine or Swiss Smile Crystal.

There are also additional oral hygiene products. These include:

flosses (dental floss), toothpicks;
oral irrigators (before choosing the best irrigator, be sure to study the main characteristics of the models);
tongue cleaners: scrapers, scraper brushes;
mouth rinses, mouth deodorants, teeth whiteners;
denture treatment powders/denture treatment tablets;
foam for oral hygiene (the foam dissolves plaque well and is indispensable where it is not possible to use standard oral hygiene products, it is enough to hold the foam in your mouth for 20-30 seconds and spit).

The unique, multifunctional device JETPIK JP200-Elite combines an electric sonic toothbrush, irrigator and dental floss. The accessories and the device itself are stored in a convenient plastic container, which is ideal for travel or storage in a small bathroom.

Oral hygiene is important not only as a prevention of caries, but also for free comfortable communication with others. Plaque-yellow teeth and bad breath won't make anyone attractive. Such aesthetic dentistry procedures as veneers and expensive laser teeth whitening will not make sense without basic hygiene procedures.