Want Healthy Teeth and Gums? Four Simple Tips for Good Oral Health

 

 

Good oral health can be achieved and maintained by following four simple rituals that will help you enjoy strong teeth and healthy gums now and well into the future. The fact of the matter is that many people tragically overlook the basic tenants of proper oral hygiene, which results in countless cavities, root canals and lost teeth every year. By making a simple commitment to the following four routines, you can preserve your smile for a lifetime. Considering that these routines are relatively simple and easy to do, don’t put your smile in jeopardy by ignoring them.

See Your Dentist Twice Per Year

You should be seeing your dentist twice per year for a complete oral checkup and dental cleaning. This checkup helps your dentist identify any areas of concern and allows them to clean your teeth and remove any built up plaque and tartar. Most dental problems start out as very minor problems that are ignored by lack of frequency in visiting your dental practitioner. The goal of semiannual checkups is to find problems while they are minor and treat them to prevent them from escalating into major dental problems later on.

Brush Your Teeth Three Times Daily

While most dentists advise that you should be brushing your teeth twice per day, it’s helpful to commit to a third brushing. Ideal times to brush include: after breakfast and before work, after lunch at work (using a travel toothbrush) and before you go to bed. Don’t forget to rinse with a fluoride rich antiseptic mouthwash after each brush for maximum protection against germs and for fresh breath.

Commit to Flossing Twice Per Day

Flossing is the key goal in preventing tooth decay and in removing food particles that become lodged in the teeth. You should be flossing your teeth twice per day, in morning and in the evening. While flossing may be inconvenient, a toothache is far more inconvenient. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes—so commit to a strong routine for healthy teeth and gums.

Avoid Acidic and Sugary Beverages

There is a common misconception that sugar causes cavities. It is in fact the bacteria that feed off sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel on your teeth that contributes to cavities. While you don’t have to quit sugar altogether, reduce your intake of it. For that matter, reduce your intake of acidic beverages like coffee and soda that can cause equal wear and tear on your teeth.

Good oral health can be achieved and maintained by following four simple rituals that will help you enjoy strong teeth and healthy gums now and well into the future. The fact of the matter is that many people tragically overlook the basic tenants of proper oral hygiene, which results in countless cavities, root canals and lost teeth every year. By making a simple commitment to the following four routines, you can preserve your smile for a lifetime. Considering that these routines are relatively simple and easy to do, don’t put your smile in jeopardy by ignoring them.

See Your Dentist Twice Per Year

You should be seeing your dentist twice per year for a complete oral checkup and dental cleaning. This checkup helps your dentist identify any areas of concern and allows them to clean your teeth and remove any built up plaque and tartar. Most dental problems start out as very minor problems that are ignored by lack of frequency in visiting your dental practitioner. The goal of semiannual checkups is to find problems while they are minor and treat them to prevent them from escalating into major dental problems later on.

Brush Your Teeth Three Times Daily

While most dentists advise that you should be brushing your teeth twice per day, it’s helpful to commit to a third brushing. Ideal times to brush include: after breakfast and before work, after lunch at work (using a travel toothbrush) and before you go to bed. Don’t forget to rinse with a fluoride rich antiseptic mouthwash after each brush for maximum protection against germs and for fresh breath.

Commit to Flossing Twice Per Day

Flossing is the key goal in preventing tooth decay and in removing food particles that become lodged in the teeth. You should be flossing your teeth twice per day, in morning and in the evening. While flossing may be inconvenient, a toothache is far more inconvenient. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes—so commit to a strong routine for healthy teeth and gums.

Avoid Acidic and Sugary Beverages

There is a common misconception that sugar causes cavities. It is in fact the bacteria that feed off sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel on your teeth that contributes to cavities. While you don’t have to quit sugar altogether, reduce your intake of it. For that matter, reduce your intake of acidic beverages like coffee and soda that can cause equal wear and tear on your teeth.

In Recent ADA Oral Health Report, Americans Score Poorly

The ADA recent conducted a national survey to find out what the status is of the oral health in Americans today. The results actually showed that Americans have poor oral health and could be doing some simple things to better take care of their teeth and gums.

The president of the ADA,  William R. Calnon, DDS, who is also a practicing dentist in Rochester, NY, stated: “The results of the survey were quite shocking and really show how important it is for people to become more involved in their own oral health.”

So how shocking were the results? Pretty shocking. 90 percent of adults ages 21-64 surveyed were found to have cavities in their permanent teeth. Nearly 50 percent of all children ages 2-11 were found to have cavities in their baby teeth. And, as the study purports, the most common disease in children during the present day is dental disease.

In efforts to ramp up oral health care in America, the ADA has launched a new website: www.MouthHealthy.org. The site targets the average person and offers a handy dental IQ tests as well as plenty of oral health guidelines and tips on proper care of teeth and gums in efforts to better educate Americans on the importance of proper oral health care.

“Oral health is a critical part of overall health. MouthHealthy.org will help empower people to take charge of their oral health,” Dr. Calnon emphasized.

The national survey by the ADA revealed some interesting factoids about the oral health of Americans during the modern day.

• 90 percent of adults believe teeth should be cleaned after each meal, when the ADA simply advises to clean them twice per day.
• 81 percent of people believe that cavities are caused by sugar; when they are actually caused by bacteria that feed off the sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel.
• 75 percent were unaware of the age when a child should be brought to the dentist for the first time; which the ADA says should occur six months after the first tooth shows up.
• 65 percent think that a toothbrush should only be replaced twice a year, when the ADA recommends four to six times per year.
• 59 percent of adults are not aware that cavity causing germs can be spread from person to person via oral-to-oral contact (kissing).

Need an Oral Health Checkup?

Dentists recommend that you should get a checkup at least one time every six months for good oral health. At Dental Design Studio in Arizona, we are your oral health care partners. Don’t put off seeing your dentist, stop in today. The purpose of checkups is to catch dental problems while they are minor and treat them early to prevent costlier and more invasive dental procedures. Call or click to schedule your appointment at one of our four offices today!