The Importance of Oral Health Care

Good oral health promotes a healthy and beautiful smile. It is easy to accomplish by simply brushing, flossing and visiting the Glendale dentist on a routine basis. Through good oral health, the risk of serious dental problems and expensive procedures is greatly reduced.

Regular Brushing

The most basic tool for good oral health is the tooth brush. Tooth brushing helps to remove the food, sugars and other particles from teeth to reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar. Less plague and tartar lowers the risk of decay and infections.

There are some tips to improve the results of tooth brushing to ensure a lower risk of decay.

• Brush Often

  It is important to brush at least twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. After consuming high-sugar foods or beverages, it is also a good idea to brush teeth to remove any excess sugar.

• Get all the teeth

  Brushing involves all the teeth, even the back ones. It is necessary to get all surfaces of all the teeth to properly clean them and remove plaque. In addition, brushing the tongue is also a good idea.

• Technique

  Successful brushing has a technique. Holding the brush at an angle helps get below the gumline, where plaque hides. Brushing back and forth is the best way to brush, but avoiding scrubbing is best.

• Brush and toothpaste

  Having the right equipment is also an important key to proper brushing. Soft-bristled brushes are best for getting rid of plaque without harming gums. Fluoride toothpastes are best because fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel.

Regular Flossing

While tooth brushes can reach nearly all surfaces of teeth, they cannot reach in-between teeth. Because of this, flossing is also an important factor to proper oral health. It is easy to forget or avoid flossing because it is a hassle and sometimes painful, but proper flossing helps remove that plaque and reduces the risk of decay. It is important to take time during flossing. Floss between every tooth from gumline to the top of the tooth. Proper flossing successfully helps remove plaque from under the gumline, and overtime, the gums become less sensitive to flossing, causing no pain or bleeding.

Regular Dental Visits

Daily dental home care is extremely important for good oral health, but proper oral care does not end at home. Routine dental visits and cleanings are extremely important. Firstly, regular cleanings help to remove any plaque that might have been missed. In addition, dental cleanings are the only way to remove tartar. No amount of brushing or flossing can remove tartar, so without proper dental visits and cleanings, the tartar will eventually cause the tooth to decay. Secondly, the dentist is able to tell how well a person cleans their teeth at home and give any advice on how to improve their oral hygiene routine. Lastly, with regular dental visits, dentists are able to identify problems before they become severe. For example, a regular dental visit may allow the dentist to catch a small cavity before it decays an entire tooth, requiring an extraction or expensive crown.

Other Oral Health Tips

Brushing, flossing and general dental visits are the top three ways to improve oral health, but there are some other tips too. When done in combination with brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, these tips truly help take oral health to the next level.

• Avoid sugar

  Foods and beverages that are high in sugar are detrimental to teeth. Most people do not brush every time they are done eating, so diets that are high in sugar increase the risk of tooth decay. It is best to avoid or limit sugar intake.

• Mouth wash

  Mouth wash may also help improve oral health. An antimicrobial mouth wash helps to reduce plaque, especially plaque between teeth. However, it is not a substitute for flossing.

• Avoid tobacco

  Tobacco products lead to many oral problems, including oral cancer, gum disease, yellow/brown teeth and bad breath. Avoiding tobacco products significantly reduces the risk for many oral health concerns.

Children and Oral Health

Oral health isn’t only for adults. Children need to take proper care of their teeth as well. In fact, it is best to start as early as possible to promote good oral health and oral hygiene habits.

It is best for children to begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Flossing should begin at about age 4. Other tips for children include:

• Sealants

  Sealants are painless and high-effective at guarding teeth against decay. They are often used on permanent back teeth to protect them.

• Fluoride

  Fluoride toothpaste is important, but it is also important that the drinking water contains fluoride to help strengthen teeth further. Fluoride is also often given to children at routine dental visits.

• Diet

  A well-balanced diet helps with children’s teeth in two ways. Firstly, a well-balanced diet avoids sugars and other foods that rot teeth. Secondly, a well-balanced diet is full of the vitamins and nutrients children need for a healthy body, including oral health.

It is important to follow the same adult tips about brushing and flossing with children. However, it is important to supervise young children to ensure safety and proper technique. For children, only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is adequate for cleaning teeth.  Children should also visit a Glendale pediatric dentist at Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead on a routine basis too.

Benefits of Good Oral Health

Good oral health and hygiene is extremely important for a happy and healthy smile. There are many great benefits to good oral health.

• Avoid tooth decay and cavities
• Avoid the need for expensive dental procedures, such as crowns, root canals and extractions
• Promotes a beautiful smile that boosts confidence
• Reduces the risk of other diseases including diabetes, heart disease and stroke

Conclusion

Good oral health starts with brushing and flossing. However, it is also important to have routine visits to a local dentist in the Glendale area for proper cleaning. Good oral health is for both adults and children, and it promotes a healthy smile and even reduces the risk of other diseases.

Dr. Greg Ceyhan – Dentist