FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO
CARIES TO CARIES DEVELOPMENT:
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Periodontal disease is known as gum
disease. It is an infection of the gums
and surrounding tissues of the teeth.
Caused by an accumulation of bacteria
known as plaque.
In pregnant women, hormonal changes
combined with the presence of oral
bacteria, can intensify gingival
inflammation - leading to gingivitis.
Warning signs of periodontal disease:
Swollen or puffy gums
Tender gums
Bleeding gums when brushing / flossing
Continuous bad breath
Receding gums (gums pulled away from
teeth)
If left untreated, the plaque can cause:
Chronic inflammation and bad breath
Tooth sensitivity
Cavities
Alveolar bone loss
Tooth mobility/loss
Epidemiological studies have
demonstrated children that come from
families that are of low socioeconomic
status and minority status are prone to UNDERSTAND
develop Early Childhood caries (ECC).
YOUR ORAL
In addition, occurrences such
as low birth weight and transfer of microbes from
mother to child also demonstrate a strong
HEALTH
connection towards ECC.
With that being said, it is important
parents/caregivers introduce the importance of
oral hygiene to their children at a young age. Seattle Central College
Establishing proper brushing and flossing Dental Hygiene Program
techniques is crucial to prevent the development of
Class of 2024
caries to occur. Along with seeking professional
oral care from dentists and dental hygienist's. There
is so much a child can do from home to reduce the
development of caries - visiting a dentist provides
children much more healthy benefits and advice
to ensure proper nourishment is
For Dental Cleaning
being adapted to their teeth. Until June 15, 2023
DID YOU KNOW?
Due to the ease with which bacteria
can accumulate and hide,
cavities often occur in between teeth where a
toothbrush cannot access.
With routine use of
everyday flossing, we can
reduce the cavity epidemic!

NUTRITION
Foods high in carbohydrates (sugars,
starches), can contribute to cavity formation.
The bacteria in the mouth consume these
foods, producing acids in the process.
These acids can
erode the tooth
enamel, leading to
cavities.
NUTRIENTS THAT CAN IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH:
Vitamin A: improves saliva production.
Saliva helps break down food & cleans
bacteria from in-between teeth
Vitamin C: strengthens gums
and soft tissue in the mouth
Vitamin D: helps strengthen
teeth and bones, helps body
absorb calcium
Calcium: form and maintain
strong bones and teeth
Inadequate nutrition can impact the oral
health, leading to dental caries, periodontal
diseases, diseases of mouth and infectious
diseases.
FLUORIDE
“Community fluoridated water prevents ~25%
of tooth decay in all ages”
- CDC, 2023
ADA recommends brushing with fluoride
toothpaste
Optional: fluoride mouthrinse 1x/day
When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth
creates acid that break down and
demineralize the protective layer on your
teeth, called enamel.
Fluoride strengthens the enamel by
remineralizing teeth, making it more
resistant to bacteria.
Fluoride has been proven to be safe
and effective in preventing cavities
Understand toothpaste ingredients:
Commonly get canker sores: avoid sodium
lauryl sulfate (SLF) - find SLF-free toothpaste
Tooth sensitivity or recession: use sodium
fluoride with potassium nitrate 5%
WHAT IS BABY BOTTLE
TOOTH DECAY?
= tooth decay occurring in
infants and young children.
It commonly occurs on the
upper front teeth.
CAUSES OF BABY BOTTLE TOOTH DECAY:
Baby is put to bed with a bottle
with milk, formula, fruit juice, breast
milk
When falling asleep with a bottle filled with
these sugary drinks, the liquid can stay on
their teeth for hours. This allows bacteria to
grow and produce acid that damages
baby’s tooth enamel.
Cavity-causing bacteria can be
passed on from mother to baby
Sharing feeding spoons, kissing your baby
near the mouth, sharing dish-ware, cleaning
pacifier with mouth
DENTAL CARE AND
PREGNANCY
Let your dentist know about your
pregnancy and any medications
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can
affect gums
X-rays are considered safe for the
pregnant patient at any stage during
pregnancy, with the use of abdominal and
thyroid shielding
High-risk pregnancies may require
adjustments, but routine care is generally
safe
DENTAL EMERGENCY
Tips for common dental emergencies: In any of
these scenarios it is IMPORTANT TO CONTACT A
DENTIST or EMERGENCY ROOM ASAP
ADULT / permanent
Keep it moist, attempt to place tooth
back in socket without touching the
root. If not, place it between your
cheek/ gums, in saliva, milk, or tooth
Knocked- preservation product (“Save a tooth”)
out tooth CHILD / primary
Apply pressure to the area to stop
bleeding. Call a child’s dental
professional ASAP. DO NOT put baby
tooth back into the socket
Immediately rinse mouth with warm
Cracked water to clean the area. Put cold
tooth compresses on the face to keep
swelling down
Clean area gently with water, keep
Tongue / Lip firm pressure with moist gauze or
towel. Then place a cold compress
bite with
uncontrolled
There are a lot of blood vessels in the
bleeding
mouth therefore minor wounds may look
worse than they are
Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater
to clean it out. Gently use floss to
remove any food caught between
Toothache teeth. If swollen, place cold compress.
DO NOT PLACE ASPIRIN IN THE AREA, it
may burn the tissue
Chipped Rinse the mouth with warm water, and
assess for any rough edges, pain, or
or temperature sensitivity. If you can
Broken locate the piece of tooth, bring it with
tooth you to the dentist
TO PREVENT DENTAL INJURIES:
Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
Routine dental visits
Do not use your teeth as a tool to rip, tear,
or cut things
Avoid chewing on items or hard
food (ice, popcorn kernel,
hard candies)
Seek immediate treatment
to prevent infection and
help save the tooth