By Leo Cardez
From PHN Issue 54, Fall 2023
As I look around my inmate community, I see too many of us with rotting teeth. Some of that is due to genetics and age, and some of it is due to lack of real dental care and professional cleanings, but it is mostly because of our own lack of dental hygiene and care. Most of us should already know the basic dental care. Therefore, I am only going to cover a few tips:
- Floss before you brush your teeth.
- After you brush, spit and do not rinse. The fluoride in the toothpaste needs time on your teeth to protect the enamel.
- Don’t brush immediately after drinking or eating anything acidic because acid weakens the enamel. Always rinse your mouth with water after drinking or eating anything acidic.
- Eat sweets during mealtimes. Sugar wreaks havoc on your teeth, but the saliva produced during mealtimes works as a natural defense against the sugar.
- Eat your sweets quickly. You expose your teeth to much more damage when you sip your soda all day or stretch out your honey bun all afternoon. Eat it, move on, and don’t forget to rinse with water when you’re done.
Prison Health News 