General Dentistry: Maintaining Good Oral Habits

Oral health can be maintained with strong habits, such as tooth brushing, flossing, and regular general dentistry visits. However, there is more to oral health than preventing gum disease and cavities. There is a strong connection between a person's mouth and overall wellness.

What are the best practices for maintaining oral hygiene?

Proper dental care can help prevent oral health problems that may contribute to speech problems, malnutrition, confidence issues, and other physical health challenges. The following suggestions from general dentistry professionals can help achieve healthy teeth and gums.

1. Use proper brushing technique

Everyone knows to brush their teeth twice a day to clean the surfaces and remove bacteria and plaque. However, not everyone is aware of the proper technique, which can make a huge difference. Brush your teeth by making small, circular motions with a soft-bristled brush. Pay close attention to the back of each tooth, in addition to the more easily accessible front and top. Avoid using a saw-like motion or brushing too hard, which can cause sensitivity and damage to the gums and enamel.

2. Floss daily

General dentistry recommends flossing daily to remove debris, bacteria, and plaque from areas of the tooth that are unreachable for the brush. Proper flossing technique includes pressing the floss to the gum line and gently skimming the side of the tooth using a top-to-bottom motion.

3. Rinse with fluoride

Fluoride is an essential element in maintaining proper oral health. Many areas of the United States supplement fluoride in the water supply, which is recommended by general dentistry to provide the needed dosage for healthy teeth. While most toothpaste and mouth rinse products contain fluoride, you should check the labels of all oral hygiene products to be sure you are getting enough fluoride.

4. Visit your general dentistry office

It would be best if you visited your general dentistry office twice a year for a thorough checkup. The checkup will involve a professional cleaning to remove tartar and check for signs of gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, and other health problems. X-rays are generally used to supplement the manual examination and look for issues within the gums. If you experience pain or changes in your teeth or other areas of your mouth, do not wait for your six-month visit: schedule an immediate appointment to get checked out.

5. Avoid smoking

Smoking has been proven harmful to the immune system, which causes difficulties for the body's healing powers. As a result, smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease, as the damaged immune system cannot effectively repair destroyed gum tissues. In addition, smokers may heal very slowly after a dental procedure, leaving them open to the risk of infection. Smoking also changes the mouth's appearance and function, causing discoloration of the tongue and teeth and bad breath.

6. Follow a healthy diet

Everyone knows that sugar causes cavities, but general dentistry will attest to the damage that comes from processed foods and starches as well. These foods change into sugar, which feeds bacteria and causes tooth decay.