What Are the Tips to Maintain Ideal Oral Health?
Seeing the dentist at least once every six months will allow the early diagnosis of a problem even before you notice any symptoms associated with oral problems.
Some of the warning signs of oral health-related issues are:
- Ulcers (open sores) that won’t heal
- Bleeding either after flossing or brushing
- Pain in the mouth (while chewing or an unexplained toothache)
- Cheeks swelling
- Receding gums (gums pulling back from the tooth facet exposing teeth root facets)
- Loose teeth
- Xerostomia (dry mouth)
Ideal Practices in Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is key in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Some of the practices you can adopt are:
- Brushing your teeth
Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a size fitting ideally to your mouth to ensure all areas are reached.
Toothbrush replacement should be done every 3-4 months, or even earlier if the bristles on your toothbrush are worn out. A worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth efficiently.
Brushing time should be at least 2 minutes; however, brushing more than 2 minutes and more than thrice in a day can lead to wearing down of your tooth enamel as well as damage to your gums.
- Flossing teeth
Flossing your teeth before going to bed is vital in promoting ideal oral hygiene because it cleans and dislodges the food particles stuck in between the teeth. This reduces plaque and bacteria in your teeth. Improper flossing can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Flossing can be a bit tricky with braces compared to flossing without braces. If you have braces, choose a waxed floss less likely to tear or get stuck. Take ten to fifteen minutes when using regular floss for your teeth.
- Once every six months’ dental checkup
Dental checkups play a critical part in the prevention of oral diseases. In a dental exam, the dentist or the dental hygienist checks for:
- Your oral hygiene and oral health state
- Evaluate the risk of decay
- Do a bite checkup and assess problems of the jaw
- Your need for teeth restoration or replacement
- Stains and deposits on your teeth
In a checkup, the dentist can detect a systemic health issue showing symptoms orally and appropriately refer the patient to a medical professional.
What Is Dental Plaque
This is a sticky film on teeth formed when sugary food particles mix with bacteria in the mouth. Thorough flossing and tooth brushing can help get rid of dental plaque.
Plaque can lead to:
- Teeth cavities
- Gingivitis disease (inflammation of the gums)
- Periodontitis
- Tooth loss and decay
- Tooth abscess
When dental plaque is not eliminated, it hardens into calculus, collecting in your gum line leading to gum disease and gingivitis. Therefore, it is important to go for teeth cleaning near you if you spot plaque or tartar on your teeth.
For tooth calculus removal and ideal dental care for kids, schedule an appointment at Dental Impressions. You can also visit us for dental cleaning in Chicago.
Foods Good for Your Teeth
- Vegetables and fruits rich in fiber keep gums and teeth clean.
- Greens such as carrots, collard greens, beetroots, and broccoli
- Fruits like oranges, strawberries, bananas, apples
Foods Bad for Your Teeth
- Candy
Candy contains several kinds of acid tough on your teeth. Candy being chewy can stick on your teeth for a much longer time which can cause tooth decay.
- Bread
When chewing bread, the saliva in the mouth breaks down the starches in bread to sugar, forming a paste-like gummy substance that sticks between the teeth’ crevices. This can cause teeth cavities. Therefore, wheat that is best in baking bread should be less refined and contain fewer sugars.
- Alcohol
Alcohol dries out the mouth resulting in inadequate saliva production in the mouth. Saliva washes away food particles preventing them from sticking to your teeth. It also helps repair damages caused by oral infection, gum disease, and even tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water will keep the mouth hydrated.
- Carbonated soft drinks
When plaque comes into contact with carbonated soda, more acid is produced, attacking the tooth enamel. Carbonated sodas also cause drying out of the mouth, meaning you have minimal saliva amounts, while dark-colored drinks cause staining and discoloration of the teeth.
Brushing your teeth after taking a carbonated drink should not be done as it accelerates tooth decay.
- Ice
When you chew on hard substances like ice, it weakens your teeth making them prone to dental emergencies like cracks and also causes damage to your tooth enamel.