What to do for healthy teeth and gums
Good oral hygiene is necessary to keep teeth and gums healthy. It involves habits such as brushing twice a day and having regular dental checkups.
However, oral health is about more than cavities and gum disease. Research has shown that there is an association between the health of a person’s mouth and their overall health. Experts consider oral health problems to be a global health burden.
Without treatment, tooth decay or gum problems can lead to pain, problems with self-confidence, and tooth loss. These issues may lead to malnutrition, speech problems, and other challenges in a person’s work, school, or personal life.
Brush regularly but not aggressively
Most people are aware that brushing their teeth twice a day is one of the most important practices for removing plaque and bacteria and keeping teeth clean. However, brushing may only be effective if people use the correct technique.
People should brush using small circular motions, taking care to brush the front, back, and top of every tooth. This process takes between 2 and 3 minutes. People should avoid sawing back-and-forth motions.
Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth
Healthy teeth and gums make it easy for you to eat well and enjoy good food. Several problems can affect the health of your mouth, but good care should keep your teeth and gums strong as you age
Tooth Decay
Teeth are covered in a hard, outer coating called enamel. Every day, a thin film of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities. Brushing and flossing your teeth can prevent decay, but once a cavity forms, to avoid further damage, a dentist must fix it with a filling.
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. Plaque causes an infection that hurts the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. A mild form of gum disease may make your gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day.
To prevent gum disease:
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss regularly.
Visit your dentist routinely for a checkup and cleaning. Tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have and medications you take.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease
Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
Brush carefully and gently along your gum line.
Lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to help keep your mouth clean.
Clean between your teeth with dental floss, prethreaded flossers, a water flosser, or a similar product. This removes plaque and leftover food that a toothbrush can’t reach.
Rinse after you floss
Dentist Reviews
When choosing a dentist, knowing which qualities to look for can make a huge difference. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is there a good dentist near me?”, then a visit to our dental practice may be just what you have been looking for. We strive to provide each of our patients with quality dental care.
each of our dentists is passionate about what they do. We understand that aiming to provide the best dental care possible starts with creating a warm, welcoming environment for our patients. Each staff member strives to achieve this with a positive, upbeat attitude
want your experience to be as comfortable as possible. One of the top reasons that our patients call us a provider of quality care is because our team is able to make patients feel calm and comfortable
During each visit, we make a point to equip our patients with the knowledge and information they need to improve and maintain their oral health. We work closely with patients to provide customized treatment plans based on their individual needs. By carefully explaining the benefits of each option, we empower our patients to make the best decisions for their oral health. In addition to providing quality dental services, we also provide tips on preventative practices that can help save you money in the future
Things You’re Doing That Would Horrify Your Dentist
If you’ve ever found yourself phoning it in when it comes to your dental care, you’re not alone. According to the World Dental Federation, 3.9 billion people worldwide suffer from untreated tooth decay. In fact, according to a 2014 study from Delta Dental, 31 percent of adults polled admitted that they didn’t even brush their teeth twice a day. However, it’s not just skipping visits to the dentist and forgetting to floss that could be causing serious damage to your oral health. With the help of experts, we’ve rounded up the seemingly minor mistakes you’re making with your teeth that could lead to major dental problems in the long run.
That nervous habit of biting your nails is doing more than leaving your hands looking ragged. This is especially true if your nail breaks off in between your teeth because “the interdental gap is very narrow and stays there,” leaving a potentially permanent space between your teeth
While it may seem perfectly reasonable to try to remove stuck pieces of food with whatever you’ve got handy, doing so with anything other than floss could lead to bigger issues in the long run.
Think you can grab a bite before you head to the dentist? Think again. While Hackney says that dentists have the tools necessary to clean your teeth even after you’ve just eaten, “it is nice if you have brushed your teeth before the visit or at least rinsed them. This makes it much faster and easier to see cavities,” he explains.
While opting for carbonated water instead of sugary drinks may get a thumbs up from your general practitioner, the same can’t be said for your dentist
Tips To Prepare For A Dental Appointment
It doesn’t matter if your dental appointment is for a routine checkup, dental cleaning, or a more advanced procedure -there are a few things you should do to prior to your dental visit.
Confirm The Appointment: Verify the appointment time 24 hours in advance.
Transfer Dental Records: If you’re a new patient, contact your old dental office and have your dental records sent to your new dentist.
Clean Up: Do your dentist a favor and thoroughly brush and floss your teeth before your dental visit. Just like your mother told you, no one likes a dirty mouth.
Arrive Early: Give yourself enough time to complete forms, get to know the staff (if you’re a new patient) and relax before your appointment.
Prepare Your Information: If you’re a new patient, be prepared to provide your medical history, and info about what form of payment you intend to use. If you’re seeing your regular dentist, you may want to make a list of any changes to your health, medications or dental insurance. It can be easy to forget what you wanted to say if you tend to get a little nervous at the dentist’s office.
Discuss Dental Problems: Bring a list of oral health questions you may have for your dentist and/or hygienist. Discussing dental issues before they become dental problems with your dentist can help determine preventive treatment and may keep you from having to make a dental emergency appointment in the future.
Face Dental Anxiety: Don’t be afraid to tell your dentist about your fears. Work together to find a solution to help you relax during treatment.
Get The Details: If you’re coming in for a dental procedure instead of a simple checkup, ask your dentist how long the appointment will last, whether you’ll need someone to accompany you, and what post-operative guidelines to follow.
Schedule your next checkup: So you don’t forget to come in regularly for cleanings and checkups, schedule your next appointment before you leave the dentist’s office.