Taking care of your teeth and gums is suitable for your entire body. You're at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth loss without good oral hygiene. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), these three conditions negatively impact your quality of life and health. In honour of June's Oral Health Month, we at Matthews Family Dentistry have developed these oral hygiene tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Think about what, when, and how you drink.
Everything you eat and drink affects your oral health. Fluoridated water prevents tooth decay, quenches your thirst, and contains no sugar or caffeine. To keep your teeth healthy, start with a glass of water. Other drinks can damage your teeth. For example, sugary sports drinks or soda have a double-edged effect. The sugar in these drinks increases your risk of tooth decay, while the acid removes tooth enamel. Wine, soda, coffee, and tea can stain your teeth, leaving your pearly whites dirty and old. To mitigate the adverse effects these beverages can have on the appearance and health of your teeth, try to drink through a straw whenever possible to reduce the contact between your teeth and the beverage. Also, rinse your mouth with water or drink it after consuming any of these substances. Water can minimize the damage caused by acids and staining elements. Finally, wait half an hour before brushing your teeth. Waiting time allows your saliva to combat the acids in the drink. Waiting until you brush your teeth will prevent you from rubbing more enamel-damaging acids onto your teeth. What you drink is crucial to your overall dental health. If you already have a habit of drinking soda, sports drinks, or coffee, try to limit it and use the above tips to protect your teeth from damage.
Establish and maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home.
If you still need to get a regular dental care routine at home, create one for everyone in your home right away. For example, make brushing and flossing a part of your waking and bedtime routine. Incorporating oral hygiene habits into your daily routine will make you more likely to remember. Make sure you brush your teeth for a full two minutes. Use a timer to make sure you don't neglect brushing. Also, flossing is just as important as brushing. By cleaning between teeth, flossing helps prevent cavities and keeps gums healthy. Remember to involve your children in your daily routine. Developing and maintaining good dental care habits can help keep their teeth and gums healthy for the rest of their lives.
Don’t put off preventive dental care.
Preventive dental care is important to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Regular dental cleanings remove tartar from your teeth. Tartar can lead to gum disease and cavities because it traps bacteria on your teeth and gums. During regular checkups, your dentist will look for early signs of gum disease and cavities. In the early stages, you may not feel any pain or discomfort. However, early treatment means you may avoid the pain of cavities or advanced gum disease. Additionally, having your dentist treat these problems early will help you avoid the risk of tooth loss, which can affect your appearance, your ability to speak clearly, and your ability to eat the foods you want. Preventive dental care plays a vital role in your oral health and should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
Understand how your body affects your oral health.
Certain health conditions increase your risk of developing oral health problems. For example, smoking dramatically increases your risk of tooth loss. Among older smokers, four in ten lose all their teeth, according to the CDC. Quitting smoking and other tobacco products can reduce your risk of tooth loss, oral cancer, and other problems. Be sure to see your dentist regularly and let your dentist know if you have any of the following conditions that affect your oral health: Pregnancy, Diabetes, Tobacco use, Heart disease, Immune deficiency, Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), Gum disease, Poor nutrition. The above conditions can increase your risk of oral health problems. Sometimes, you may need to see your dentist more often to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Watch for changes in your mouth.
While regular visits can help your dentist detect problems early, you still need to take care of your teeth and gums between visits. When you brush and floss, watch for signs of issues, such as Bleeding gums, Red, painful, or swollen gums, Toothache, or Broken tooth. You may have gum disease or cavities if you notice any of the above signs. You must make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to resolve the problem. Find a dentist you can trust to provide you with lifelong dental care. You need a trustworthy dentist because your dentist is essential to your oral health. When you have a trusted dentist for preventive care, you know where to go when you have a problem. Dental emergencies or urgent situations are not allowed, such as B: a broken tooth and your first visit to the dentist.
