Your Complete Guide to Oral Health

Your teeth are the only ones you will ever have. Once your adult teeth grow in, you won’t get another set if you lose any to decay or accident. Likewise, if the enamel on your teeth is worn down from poor dental care, it will not renew itself. Then your teeth will be exposed and vulnerable to severe decay, which can lead to gum disease and other oral health problems.

It is essential that you take good care of your teeth to not only maintain a beautiful smile but also to maintain good health. Seeing your dentist for your twice yearly dental exam is just one part of good oral health in Glendale. Here’s your complete guide:

Get the Right Daily Care

Of course, you know you need to brush your teeth every day to keep your teeth healthy. But are you brushing your teeth properly? And do you know how
often you need to brush? And for how long? You might have the wrong answers and not even realize it.

You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but it would be better if you could brush after each time you had a meal. Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Using a brush with harder bristles can actually damage your teeth – not get them cleaner.

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle while you are brushing. Use a gentle, circular motion as you brush up and down along your teeth. Make sure that you brush along all sides of your teeth. Resist the urge to brush too hard as it can actually contribute to gum recession, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. A simple rule of thumb is to sing through the entire alphabet twice in your head. (Or you can hum it if you feel so inclined!)

Get a new toothbrush every three months to ensure that it maintains its effectiveness and is not retaining bacteria.

You should also floss whenever you brush. The area between your teeth represents about a third of the surface area of all your teeth. If you are not cleaning this space, tartar and plaque will build up, which can contribute to cavities and make your dental exams take longer.

You can use floss or a floss pick to clean this area. Be sure to gently push the string into the space between your teeth and to run it up and down gently. If you try to force the string or floss too harshly, you can damage your gums.

Eat a Good Diet

What you eat and drink can have a big impact on your oral health, even if you are diligent with your brushing and flossing. Certain foods and drinks can promote the proliferation of bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Sugar is the worst offender. Bacteria love sugar, and the more of it you consume, the more tooth decay you are likely to experience. Try to cut back on the sugary foods and drinks you consume, and pay attention to labels. Foods that may not seem like they are high in sugar actually can be, such as yogurt and salad dressing.

If you do have sugary foods or drinks, don’t brush your teeth right away. Your enamel is weakened, and you can damage your teeth. Instead, drink some water and wait about an hour to brush.

You should try to avoid or limit acidic foods and drinks, such as those containing citrus. The acid can also weaken the enamel, leaving the teeth vulnerable.

Alcohol can irritate the tongue and other tissues in your mouth if you drink too much of it. Smoking can damage your gum tissue and your bones. It can also increase your risk of oral cancers.

See the Dentist

Don’t avoid or put off the dentist. You need to go in for a dental exam every six months. Your exam will include x-rays of your teeth and mouth, an inspection by the dentist, and a complete cleaning of your teeth.

Your dentist will be able to identify any issues before they become big problems. For example, your dentist might notice that you have plaque in certain areas, which could suggest that you need to do a better job when cleaning around those teeth. Your dentist will also track gum recession to ensure there are no problems and can identify cavities before they become too large and require extensive intervention.

These visits are about more than aesthetics. If you develop gum disease, you are at a higher risk of developing heart disease as well. Other issues with the teeth can cause serious pain and make it harder for you to eat the foods you like. If you are experiencing pain, our dentist can help you with toothache pain treatments in Glendale.

Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead in Arizona can help you understand how to improve your oral health care if you are experiencing problems, or we can form a plan to keep you on the right track. We offer routine Glendale dental exams, as well as corrective dentistry, such as filling cavities, providing Glendale gum therapy, and Glendale brightening smiles. We treat children, and we offer sedation dentistry for nervous patients. Visit us in Arizona today to get the comprehensive dental treatment you need for your best smile.

Dr. Greg Ceyhan – Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead

17100 N 67th Ave, Suite 500
Glendale, Arizona 85308

Phone: (623) 979-1515
Fax: (623) 878-1811
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Website: https://www.drgregceyhan.com