Keep your pearly white teeth in peak

condition for better overall wellness

7 Oral Health Questions Answered

Is there a right way to brush?
Yes! Grip your toothbrush at a 45-
degree angle to the gumline, so its
slightly pointing up, and apply
gentle pressure as you use a combo
of back-and-forth and up-and-down
strokes. And dont rush! A thorough
tooth brushing lasts about 2
minutes, so aim to spend about 30
seconds on each quarter of your
mouth.

Are electric toothbrushes better
than manual ones? Most dentists
think so, even though studies are
mixed. If you use them the right
way, they prevent you from
brushing too hard (which can wear
away enamel, the outer protective
layer of the tooth, and make gums
bleed). More importantly, it also
prevents you from brushing too


long since most have a built-in timer that
beeps when 2 minutes are up.

Whats the best type of floss?
Whatever kind youll actually use
(waxed or unwaxed) studies show they
work equally well. The key is to floss every
day.

How can I get rid of bad breath?
Two words: tongue scraper. Researches
from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil
found that using one improves ones breath as
much as 75 percent by removing the bacteria
and residue that builds up on your tongue.
Other possible halitosis culprits include
heartburn or acid reflux.

As Im getting older, it seems as if more
food is getting stuck between my teeth. Am I
imagining this? Not at all! The enamel wears
down with age, so your teeth get a little
smaller and the spaces in between get
slightly wider, which means food gets
trapped more easily. Eroding enamel
can also make your teeth more
sensitive.

Can I tell if I have a cavity?
Sometimes. The tip-offs: pain or
sensitivity in just one area, or a
brownish stain on the top of the tooth,
says Dr. Shir. Bad breath can also be a
sign; a decaying tooth can be a breeding
ground for bacteria. However, the only
way to know for sure is to see your
dentist.

Do I really need to go to dentist twice
a year? Absolutely! Waiting too long
between visits means more scraping,
because plaque that sits on your teeth
for a while hardens and turns into tartar
(also called calculus).

Oral Prophylaxis (Cleaning)





What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is known to prevent,
inhibit, and arrest dental carries. It
helps prevent decay by making the
tooth more resistant to acid
attacks from plaque bacteria and
sugars in the mouth. It also
reverses early decay.

In what forms is Fluoride
available?
Fluoride is found in food and
water. It can be directly applied to
the teeth through fluoridated
tooth pastes and mouth rinses.
Dentists can also apply fluoride to
the teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish.
These treatments contain a much
higher level of fluoride than the
amount found in tooth pastes and
mouth rinses.
Varnishes are painted on the
teeth; foams are put into a mouth
guard which is applied to the teeth
for one to four minutes; gels can
be painted on or applied via
mouth guard.
Fluoride supplements are also
available in liquid and tablet form
and must be prescribed by your dentist,
pediatrician or family doctor.

When is fluoride intake most critical?
It is certainly important for infants and
children between the ages of 6 months and
16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is
the time frame during which the primary
and permanent teeth come in. However,
adults benefit from fluoride too. New
research indicates that typical fluoride from
toothpastes, mouth rinses and fluoride
treatments are as important in fighting
tooth decay as in strengthening developing
teeth.

How often should fluoride be
applied?
It is recommended that fluoride should be
applied at six-month intervals as effective in
controlling or reducing dental carries in
primary or permanent teeth for moderate or
high risk children.





14 Angelo St., La Loma,
Quezon City

Dr. Irene P. Valondo
Cell #: 09189243734
Dr. Vicente S. Valondo III
Cell #: 09209015947
Landline: (02) 412-6157
Fluoride
VALONDO DENTAL
CLINIC