Tooth brushing

Brushing after meals can only be effective if it removes plaque. The object is to clean every accessible tooth surface, thus removing food debris and plaque and massaging the gum margin.

Toothbrushes with a small head and medium bristles are probably the most effective. The brush is rinsed and toothpaste added. Several strokes are used on each section of the mouth. Buccal, lingual, mesial and distal surfaces are cleaned by a rotary motion from gum to tooth. Occlusal surfaces are cleaned by a scrubbing action. Finally the gingival margins are cleaned by a backward and forward motion which must be done gently to avoid abrasion of the necks of the teeth.

Each jaw is done in turn¹ and the mouth is then thoroughly rinsed with warm water to expel food debris dislodged by the toothbrush. Brushes should be washed afterwards and allowed to dry.

Correct and effective tooth brushing in the way described requires time, knowledge and skill. Many people lack these requirements and brushing is ineffective as a preventive measure. The whole process can be made simpler for such people by using an electric toothbrush. Teeth are cleaned rapidly and effectively as most of the movements are done automatically. It is particularly valuable for children and the physically handicapped.

Notes

¹Each jaw is done in turn... — Кожна щелепа чиститься одна за другою

PRE-TEXT ASSIGNMENTS

Exercise 5. Look through the text and answer the questions:

1. When can brushing be effective?

2. What is the object of toothbrushing?

3. What toothbrush is the most effective?

4. How is the brush used?

5. By what motion are buccal, lingual, mesial and distal surfaces cleaned?

6. How are occlusal surfaces cleaned?

7. Why must the gingival margins be cleaned by a backwards and forwards motion?

8. Why should the mouth be thoroughly rinsed?

9. Do many people know how to brush the teeth correctly and effectively?

10. How can the process be made simpler?

11.Why are teeth cleaned rapidly by using an electric toothbrush?

12. Is it better than a properly used ordinary toothbrush?

Exercise 6. Find in the text English equivalents for the following word combinations:

доступна поверхня зуба; край ясни; нанести пасту; обертальні рухи; стирання; ретельно; дати висохти; весь процес; інваліди; правильно

Exercise 7. Insert prepositions or adverbs.

The teeth must be brushed systematically... the morning, and ... the evening. The brush should of course be kept clean, either by permanent immersion in a weak antiseptic solution or by being washed-daily... soap and water. Not more than two teeth... a time should be brushed, and this should be done both horizontally and vertically (away from the gums) ... the buccal and labial aspects, and forwards and sideways ... the occlusal surface; and the total time, including several cleansings of the bristles, need not exceed two or three minutes. It is obviou's that the brushing... teeth cannot be relied upon alone to prevent caries, but it should be regarded as an adjuvant to other means ...prophylaxis.

Exercise 8. Translate into English:

1. Зубні щітки використовуються для видалення залишків їжі та зубного нальоту із всіх поверхонь та міжзубних проміжків.

2. При захворюваннях пародонта слід застосовувати щітку з більш м’якою щетиною.

3. Термін використання однієї зубної щітки не більш 6 місяців.

4. Рух щітки під час чищення зубів повинен бути направлений від шийки зуба в сторону ріжучого краю, тобто по вертикалі.

5. Зубні блюшки видаляються з поверхні зуба лише через 30 секунд її ретельної механичної обробки.

6. Більшість не знає як правильно та ефективно чистити зуби.

7. Тривалість чистки, як правило, не менще трьох хвилин.

Exercise 9. Render the text in 5 sentences.

Exercise 10. Read the text using a dictionary.

Plaque

Plaque is a film of material composed of masses of bacteria in a sticky glycoprotein matrix which adheres to the surfaces of teeth, particularly in locations which are inaccessible to natural or mechanical cleansing. New plaque forms within a few hours on teeth which are thoroughly cleaned and tends to accumulate and thicken with the passage of time unless regularly removed. Plaque is of great importance in the etiology of dental disease because of the ability of some of the bacteria to metabolize sugar and form acid and the property of others to produce harmful products which can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and destruction of the periodontal tissues (periodontal disease). A diet with a high sugar content often produce particularly heavy accumulations of plaque. Both plaque which is allowed to remain in the gingival crevice between the gum margin and neck of the tooth and that occurring on the tooth surfaces above the gum margin can calcify and harden to form tartar (sub-gingival and supra-gingival calculus). This tends to retain further harmful accumulations of bacteria in contact with the periodontium.

Remember the facts:

—the food of modern people is soft and acid to evoke the "natural" agencies of protection and it would seem reasonable to add some "artificial" means to remove debris from the teeth.

—the brush must be a small one (3.5-4 cm); the bristles should be neither too hard nor too soft, and should be of unequal length.

—only about two teeth can be brushed at the same time.

TEST

1. Prevention of dental diseases means … of food stagnation.

a) elimination b) formation c) production d) contribution e) irritation

2. Food stagnation causes … formation.

a) calculus b) plaque c) food particles d) food debris e) gangrene

3. Brushing after meals can be effective if … .

a) it cleans away food particles b) it massages the gum margin c) it removes plaque d) it increases resistance of dental tissues e) it relieves pain

4. Food stagnation causes … formation.

a) acid b) stain c) calculus d) plaque e) alkali

5. Plaque formation leads to … .

a) healthy hums b) dental disease c) inflammation of the gums

d) stains on the teeth e) inflammation of the tongue

6. Cleaning of the teeth is best performed by … .

a) polishing b) filling c) brushing d) rinsing e) removing plaques

7. Food debris can be removed by … .

a) soft food b) detergent food c) plain food d) raw food e) semi-liquid food

8. All surfaces of the tooth are cleaned by a … motion.

a) perpendicular b) straight c) transversal d) longitudinal e) rotary

9. Detergent food can only clean away … .

a) acid formation b) calculus c) inflammatory areas d) loose food particles

e) stains on the teeth

10. After cleaning of the teeth the mouth is … rinsed with warm water.

a) slightly b) frequently c) thoroughly d) seldom e) quickly

11. Electric toothbrush is particularly valuable for … .

a) adults b) animals c) babies d) children e) old people

12. Oral hygiene can be achieved by cleaning the teeth … .

a) frequently b) seldom c) regularly d) occasionally e) carefully

13. Plaque formation … acid formation.

a) leads to b) makes c) develops d) creates e) performs

14. Gingival margins must be cleaned … to avoid abrasion of the neck of the teeth.

a) quickly b) gently c) softly d) hard e) heavily

15. Most dental disorders arise from two basic diseases … and periodontal disease.

a) fluorosis b) gingivitis c) stomatitis d) glossitis e) caries

16.Oral hygiene consists … keeping the teeth free of food debris.

a) in b) of c) with d) by e) on

17. Public health measures are dental health education and increasing the resistance of teeth … disease.

a) at b) to c) in d) with e) by

18. Several strokes are used … each section of the mouth.

a) in b) at c) by d) with e) on

19. The mouth is rinsed thoroughly … warm water.

a) by b) on c) with d) in e) at

20. Food stagnation causes plaque formation, which leads … bacterial irritation and calculus.

a) at b) to c) in d) for e) with