Good Dental Health Begins With You
Could Bad Breath be the Result of a Dental Problem?
Yes-About 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition that is to blame. If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition, mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your dentist; they are there to help you. Flossing daily and brushing your teeth & tongue twice a day can greatly reduce and possibly eliminate bad breath.
Do Dental Check Ups Include Oral Cancer Screenings?
Yes-When you go for your regular dental check up, your dentist and hygienist are also screening you for any signs of oral cancer. Every hour of every day, someone dies of oral cancer in the United States. This serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and avoiding tobacco are the key factors in preventing oral cancer.
Why are my teeth so important?
Your teeth vary in shape and size depending on their position within your mouth. These differences allow the teeth to do many different jobs. Teeth help us to chew and digest food. They help us to talk, and to pronounce different sounds clearly. Finally, teeth help to give our face its shape. A healthy smile can be a great asset and because this is so important, it makes sense to give your teeth the best care possible.
How do I keep my teeth and gums healthy?
It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy, and keep it that way. A simple routine of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth, good eating habits, having sugary foods and drinks less often and regular dental check-ups can help prevent most dental problems. Although most people brush regularly, many don’t clean between their teeth and some people don’t have regular dental check-ups. A few small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in the long run. Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove any build-up on your teeth and treat any gum disease that has already appeared. But daily dental care is up to you, and the main weapons are the toothbrush and interdentally cleaning.
Can my diet help?
Many people think that it is a high level of sugar in your diet that causes decay, but this is not so. It is how often you have sugar in your diet, not the amount that causes problems. It takes an average of 40 minutes for the mouth to neutralize the acid caused by eating and drinking sugar. It is therefore important to limit the number of attacks by keeping sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes.
Good dental health begins with you. By following these simple routines, you can keep your mouth clean and healthy:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste.
- Use a toothbrush with a medium-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles.
- Use small circular motions to clean your teeth.
- Replace your toothbrush regularly, recommended every 3 months.
- Clean Between your teeth using dental floss or wood sticks or interdentally brushes.
- Limit your sugary drinks to no more than 2 cans a day.
- Visit your dentist for your routine check-ups as recommended.
More and more, our expanding knowledge about the link between oral health and overall body health highlights the importance of flossing, brushing and regular dental checkups. For a healthier mouth and a healthier you, visit your Family Dentist regularly!