Is it important to take good care of your teeth and gums? Ask the millions of people who spent thousands of dollars on restorative and cosmetic dental care and they’ll tell how they deeply regret taking their oral health for granted. The good news is that even if it’s too late and the damage has been done, your dentist, Implant dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, and all other dental health experts can help restore your smile that has been lost due to severe tooth decay, advanced stage gum disease, and all other oral health problems that your mouth has suffered from.
How Do You Take Care of Your Oral Health?
There are four basic ways to take care of your mouth. Let’s check out what you need to do to keep your oral health in tiptop shape.
#1 Brush Your Teeth
The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day preferably thirty minutes after a meal. Studies show that spending two minutes brushing your teeth is enough to remove food particles and debris in your mouth and to stop plaque from forming. When you brush, make sure you choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles. The bristles have to be soft so they can bend easily. Research reveals that hard bristles are not effective in removing food debris.
#2 Floss in Between
Many people skip flossing because it’s a complicated process that requires a lot of effort. However, all dentists encourage you to floss at least once daily. Don’t worry, over time you will get used to it. The most important factor to consider when flossing is the technique.
You can ask your dentist to demonstrate it to you or you can watch YouTube videos for a free tutorial. Knowing the proper way to floss is crucial because if you do it wrong, aside from the fact that your efforts will be in vain, there’s also a possibility that you may puncture your gums. Flossing before bedtime is ideal.
#3 Rinse with an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Cap off the night by swishing a mouthful of antibacterial mouthwash. You can rinse your mouth with a mouthwash as often as you please. This will help eliminate bacteria in your mouth and give you fresh-smelling breath.
#4 Visit Your Dentist Regularly
How often do you visit your dentist? The general rule is to visit your dentist at least once every six months. These visits comprise two parts. The first part is a dental exam followed by professional teeth cleaning. Many people succumb to oral health problems because of this. They don’t visit their dentist regularly because they are convinced that their oral care routine at home is enough to keep their teeth and gums safe. Well, that’s where they are wrong.
Dental exams allow your dentist to inspect your mouth and identify potential problems before they worsen. Professional teeth cleaning is different from brushing and flossing because your dentist will use special instruments and techniques to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas. They also have the tools needed to remove stubborn tartar.
How Important is Dentistry?
Did you know that your oral health will affect your overall health? If a problem in your mouth goes untreated it can cost you your life. Do you find this hard to believe? One example is tooth decay. Tooth decay starts with a simple cavity.
Over time, the cavity will collect bacteria. The bacteria will eat away most of your teeth until they reach the dental pulp. Without treatment, the infection will worsen leading to a tooth abscess. If you still do not get it treated, the infection can penetrate into your bloodstream and travel all throughout your circulatory system in a life-threatening condition known as sepsis. People can die from sepsis.
As simple as not replacing a missing tooth can lead to oral health complications. If you don’t replace missing teeth, the nearby teeth will shift out of position and move toward the tooth gap, disrupting the natural alignment of your teeth. This can lead to crooked teeth. Crooked teeth are not just a problem of cosmetics. Did you know that people with crooked teeth are ten times more prone to develop tooth decay and gum disease because teeth misalignment is harder to keep clean?
Takeaway
So you see, dentistry is an integral part of our overall health. It’s important to partner with a reliable and experienced dentist to ensure that your oral health remains n tiptop shape for as long as possible. Your dentist can examine you, make suggestions, and offer treatment to help improve your smile and oral health.