Maintaining your oral health is about more than preventing bad breath. Poor oral health results in tooth decay, gum disease, infections, and tooth loss! Though treatable, you don’t want them to happen to you!
Poor oral health can lead to mental health issues due to isolation and low self-esteem. It can also lead to physical health problems, such as digestive issues, due to an inability to chew effectively or maintain a proper diet due to pain.
At Caring Family Dentistry, our top priority is ensuring our patient’s quality of life is unaffected by their oral health. While there are many ways to boost your oral hygiene, today we’re going to share with you some of our top tips!
Brush Please!
Twice a day, every day, you need to brush your teeth. Brushing removes bacteria, plaque, and germs from the mouth that cause all those previously mentioned conditions! Brushing is also a quick and easy way to curb bad breath and remove residue that could stain the teeth.
If you haven’t already, we recommend investing in an automatic toothbrush with a pressure sensor and automatic timer. When you brush too hard, the pressure sensor warns you. Too much force can strip away your enamel, leaving the teeth vulnerable to threats. The timer alerts you when it’s time to move to a different spot of the mouth and shuts off when you should be done brushing. These “fancy” features help you improve your toothbrushing technique and, in turn, your overall oral health. At your next appointment, ask Dr. Sheffler, Dr. Teixeira, or Dr. Gittleman for toothbrush recommendations that fit your needs and budget!
Floss.
A lot of people don’t floss for various reasons. But you need to! Flossing removes harmful bacteria and plaque from between the teeth that contribute to tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease!
Besides traditional thread floss variations, did you know there are other ways to floss?
Water flossers are machines that use jets of water to clean the teeth and gum line. While we suggest using water flossers in combination with thread floss, this could be an alternative for those who struggle with it.
Another way to clean between the teeth is to use an interproximal or interdental brush! These are like tiny toothbrushes that can fit between the teeth and brush away plaque and bacteria. They come in various sizes, so you don’t have to worry about missing a spot!
Let Caring Family Dentistry Care For Your At Checkups!
A necessary part of your oral hygiene routine does not occur every day. In fact, for most patients, it happens only once a year.
Dental checkups are critical in preserving oral health, and consistently attending them allows our team to find and treat concerns before they can cause lasting damage!
At these appointments, your mouth will be documented with X-rays, images, and written notes so we can monitor your oral health over time. Your teeth will also receive fluoride treatment and a professional cleaning by one of our skilled hygienists. Then, Dr. Sheffler, Dr. Teixeira, or Dr. Gittleman will conduct a thorough examination. They will look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. If necessary, they will schedule a procedure, such as a cavity filling or root canal. If you require more in-depth care, they will set up a treatment plan with you or refer you to a specialist.
No one knows you better than you, and these sessions allow you to bring up your concerns and ask questions. When you’re armed with proper oral healthcare and personalized information, you can perform your oral hygiene and live life confidently.
Water, Water, Water!
Water is loved for clearing your skin and hydrating the body, but did you know it also does wonders for oral health? Here are five reasons why you should increase your water intake:
- Every sip of water rinses the mouth of residue that feeds bacteria, stains the teeth, and creates bad breath.
- Fluoride found in water naturally strengthens the enamel.
- Water prevents dry mouth, an uncomfortable condition that can make it difficult to eat and communicate.
- The liquid has no acidity or sugar commonly found in other beverages.
- Dry, swollen gums promote gingivitis.
Remember The Three R’s: Replace, Replace, Replace!
Your oral hygiene tools accumulate a little bacteria and plaque from your mouth with every use. They also hoard germs and particles from the air and can even grow mold and fungi that can make you sick. Sounds gross and ineffective at cleaning, right? That’s why you have to replace your tools!
Every three to four months, you should replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head. The tips of water flossers should be replaced every six months, and interdental brushes should be replaced when the bristles begin to lose shape, usually every one to two weeks. Once you recover from any transmittable illness, you should replace all tools to avoid reinfection.
If not replaced, your oral hygiene equipment won’t clean as thoroughly, so even if you perform your routine twice a day every day, your mouth could still have bacteria, plaque, and germs.
There Are So Many Ways To Maintain Exemplary Oral Health. See Us At Caring Family Dentistry For More Tips!
Remember when we said these were just our top tips? We have even more oral hygiene tips and tricks we would love to share with you!
Whether you are looking for product recommendations or personalized advice based on your lifestyle and oral health needs and goals, our team at Caring Family Dentistry can help!
With our wide range of dental services for every age group, we’re sure to be able to answer all your questions and help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
Contact us today to book an appointment with our experienced and knowledgeable staff. We’re excited to provide dental care for you and your family, and we hope to see you soon!