The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for the health of the teeth, gums, and overall body. The roots of the teeth are deeply embedded in the jaw bone and provide structure and strength to the mouth, which is important for biting, chewing, and speaking. Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can build up on the teeth, forming tartar and plaque, which can appear as a yellowish buildup around the gum line. If left unchecked, this bacteria can cause dental pockets to form when the gum tissue starts to pull away from the teeth, leading to gum recession and exposing the tooth roots. When the roots are exposed, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing health problems throughout the body. To protect the health of the teeth and the body, it is important to follow an oral hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly, and attending regular dental checkups.
“To protect the health of the smile is to protect the overall health of the body.”
Helping Family Members With Oral Hygiene
It is important to teach children and other family members in Tonawanda about the importance of oral hygiene and how it affects overall health. If someone in the family is anxious about visiting the dentist, it is a good idea to speak to the dental team about ways to make the experience less intimidating. Oral hygiene routines should be similar for children and adults, as the health of baby teeth can affect the health of adult teeth. Children should start visiting the dentist regularly from an early age, even though their baby teeth will eventually be replaced by adult teeth. As people age, their oral health needs may change, and it is important to be open with the dental team about any concerns. Establishing an oral hygiene routine is important for maintaining good oral health and overall health at any age.
“If any family member has anxiety about visiting the dentist, speak to the dental team about options to make the experience less intimidating.”
What to Include in a Dental Care Routine
A dental care routine for your Tonawanda family should include brushing, flossing, and rinsing to maintain good oral health.
- Brushing should be done twice a day with a dentist-recommended toothbrush and toothpaste. It is important to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small amount of toothpaste, and to brush all surfaces of the teeth in a circular motion at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
- Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove anything stuck between the teeth and reduce the risk of buildup. To floss, hold the dental floss tightly between the fingers and gently slide it up and down between the teeth, curving it at the base of each tooth to reach beneath the gum line.
- Rinsing with a dentist-approved mouthwash can help keep the teeth healthy between regular checkups and may also address bad breath, dry mouth, or gum disease. The specifics of a dental care routine will depend on an individual’s oral health needs.
“A dental care routine will depend on current oral health needs.”
How to Keep the Smile Healthy and Prevent Tooth Decay
Maintaining a good dental hygiene routine with at-home care and regular dental checkups is the best way to keep the smile healthy and prevent tooth decay. However, it is also important to be mindful of what we eat and drink, as certain foods and drinks, such as sodas and sugary sweets, can damage the enamel on the teeth and make them more prone to bacteria and decay. Instead of consuming sugary or acidic substances, it is a good idea to eat foods like cheese, fruits, vegetables, and green and black teas that can help protect the teeth from decay. Cheese can help prevent erosion of the enamel, high-fiber fruits and vegetables can stimulate saliva production to help remove particles from the teeth, and certain teas can combat bacteria that cause plaque. These healthy options are good for the body as well as the teeth, providing nutrition and protecting the smile from decay.
“Following a dental hygiene routine with at-home care and regular dental checkups will help you keep the smile healthy and prevent tooth decay.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from being one of the first things people notice about others, the smile is important to the body's overall health. Maintaining oral hygiene is important because it helps protect the body from disease. By keeping the smile healthy and maintaining regular dental checkups, everyone can keep their bodies healthier.
There is a common misconception that taking care of a child's baby teeth is not important. After all, they are going to fall out at some point. However, the way that a child's baby teeth are cared for sets the stage for the future of their oral health. Oral care is important for children to help set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Each individual may have some variation in their dental care routine, depending on their smile's unique needs. In general, however, there are some basic steps that everyone should take to keep their smile healthy. A good dental care routine for Tonawanda families includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, rinsing with a dentist-approved mouthwash once a day, and maintaining regular dental checkups.
A dental checkup can also be called a dental cleaning, as that is the dental professional's main focus. During the checkup, the dental professional will check the mouth and teeth to assess their condition and clean the teeth. Cleaning the teeth involves removing the buildup of bacteria from the surface of the teeth to protect them from decay or disease.
Having a healthy smile sometimes means making minor life changes. Many times, oral health care concerns start with habits that have negative consequences for the teeth, such as smoking or drinking too much coffee or tea. Small changes, such as quitting smoking or limiting the intake of darker beverages, can help keep the teeth cleaner and healthier. Most importantly, however, to keep the smile healthy everyone should maintain an at-home oral care routine and see their dentist regularly.
Yes, dental cleanings and deep cleanings are slightly different, but they are actually very similar. At a dental cleaning, one can expect the dental professional to remove buildup from their teeth and assess their oral health condition. They can expect much of the same at a deep cleaning, except for one difference. During a deep cleaning, the dental professional will also clean the teeth beneath the gum line. This is typically only recommended for those with signs of decay or disease.
