Maintaining a good routine of oral hygiene and taking the necessary steps to make your general dental care a priority is essential for ensuring a healthy smile and optimal oral health. When you visit your dentist on a regular basis for examinations and cleanings, it can help lower your risk for cavities and periodontal disease. Here are some oral health interventions that can help ensure that you are maintaining good general dental care.
Regular Dental Examinations
Regular dental checkups play an important role in ensuring good oral health. When you see your dentist a couple of times a year, potential oral problems can be identified and treated early on which may prevent them from developing into more serious problems. During your routine dental visits, your dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment of your teeth, gum tissue, and oral cavity to look for signs of dental issues, gingivitis, and oral lesions. In addition, professional teeth cleanings performed by your hygienist will remove plaque and calculus buildup to further ensure the optimal health of your teeth and gums.
At-Home Oral Hygiene Practices
Maintaining a good routine of at-home oral care is also an important part of your general dental care plan. Brushing your teeth a couple of times of day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing your teeth will help get rid of oral bacteria and sticky plaque. This not only helps lower your risk for dental decay, but it also helps prevent periodontal disease which can raise your risk for tooth loss. To further ensure that your mouth stays healthy, use a new toothbrush every few months or so.
Avoiding brushing your teeth too hard because doing so may eventually take a toll on your tooth enamel, leading to dental sensitivity when eating or drinking certain foods. Also, when flossing your teeth, be sure to ease the floss in between your teeth instead of trying to snap it in place. Gentle flossing effectively removes plaque and food particles without irritating or injuring your gums.
Schedule regular appointments with your dentist and hygienist for general dental care interventions such as examinations and professional teeth cleanings. These interventions, along with proper brushing and flossing, help prevent dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease. Taking care of your teeth and gums will help not only help ensure optimal oral health but may also help promote your overall state of general health as well.
For more information on general dental care, contact a professional near you.
Share6 July 2023
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!