Way to Maintain Oral Health

                 

Healthy teeth and gums 

Dental and Oral Health - Maintaining healthy teeth and gums:

      Everyone knows by now that you should visit your oral care team twice per year. That means going to the dentist no matter how much you hate to do it. Without regular checkups you risk having plenty of problems that can affect your whole mouth.

Don't wait for a dental emergency to get you to go to the dentist. By the time some symptoms show up, it may be too late. Even simple chips in your teeth or bad breath can create major problems the longer they are allowed to go untreated.

Dentists say that with regular twice a year care, you can keep your teeth healthy and viable for your whole life. This means that loss of teeth is not normal as you age, but can be avoided.

Regular brushing and flossing are important for good dental health:

How many times do you brush your teeth every day?

Twice a day is a magic number. Flossing once per day is recommended, plus any time you feel you have food particles stuck in your teeth.

How hard do you brush those teeth?

The harder the bristles and the more pressure you apply to brushing your teeth will erode the enamel opening up tiny cracks which hide bacteria. A soft bristle brush and a light touch are better.

Toilets and Oral Health:

Did you know that you should brush your teeth at least six feet away from a toilet?

Flushing the toilet can aerosolize bacteria and scatter them as far as six feet away. Closing the lid on the toilet before you flush can help keep the spread of germs down.

Clean your bathroom thoroughly at least once per week to help with good oral hygiene.

Dental hygiene alerts!

• Change your toothbrush every time you recover from a cold or a sore throat. There is a possibility that germs and viruses can be re-infecting the user.
• Tell your dentist about any tooth that is sensitive to heat or cold. There could be some thinning of the enamel or nerve damage.
• See your dental care provider right away if you have signs of bleeding gums. You may be brushing too hard or you may have gingivitis.
• Check your mouth in the mirror every week for chipped teeth, sores in the mouth, discoloration of the tongue, visible cavities or other signs of problems.
• Tell your dentist about bad breath. If someone mentions that you have bad breath or drops a bottle of mouthwash off in your mailbox, this may be a clue that you have bad breath and haven't noticed it yourself.
• Keep hydrated! Dry mouths reduce the presence of natural saliva which washes away debris and bacteria.
• Fluoride is good for your teeth, but swallowing it can be harmful to your health. Keep fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes away from children under five years old.