Good oral health is comprised of clean teeth, as well as fresh breath and healthy gums.
In order to enjoy optimal oral health, it is important to practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis. With the right care, it is possible to have clean teeth that are free from plaque and debris, fresh breath, and gums that don’t bleed or hurt when you brush or floss your teeth. But how do you make sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene? And what else can you do to maintain good oral health?
Practice good oral hygiene
In order to maintain your oral health, it is essential that you take care of your teeth and gums on a daily basis. Healthy teeth look good, and also ensure that you can enjoy proper oral functions like eating and speaking. Good oral health also has an impact on your overall health, and can go a long way in preventing a range of health issues that affect the whole body.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean, it is important that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day. Chat to your dentist about proper brushing and flossing techniques if you are not sure whether or not you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly enough.
Try to stick to a healthy, balanced diet as much as possible, and limit your consumption of sugary snacks and drinks.
Address issues early
One of the best things you can do to maintain good oral health is to see your dentist on a regular basis. In fact, it is best that you don’t wait until you have symptoms before seeking professional help — by going for check-ups twice a year, it is often possible for your dentist to identify and resolve problems before they even cause pain or discomfort.
If you do experience symptoms of a dental health issue, it is advisable that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Some of the signs of a possible dental health issue include bleeding or swollen gums; chronic bad breath; mouth sores or ulcers that don’t heal with a week or two; toothache; loose teeth; facial swelling; sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks; dry mouth; and jaw pain.
What causes oral health problems?
Many oral health problems are caused by an accumulation of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Every time that you eat sugar, bacteria in the mouth produce acids that can attack the tooth enamel and erode over time. This can lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Bacteria also lead to the formation of plaque, which can cause inflammation of the gums and the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a serious condition that can lead to tooth and bone loss.
There are a number of factors that can increase one’s risk of developing oral health problems. These include smoking; poor oral hygiene; frequent snacking on sugary foods; certain health conditions, like diabetes and HIV; hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause; and certain medications.
How can we help?
At Somerset Dental, we offer a range of preventative dental treatments that are designed to help patients keep their natural teeth for longer. We encourage all of our patients to come in and see us every six months for a check-up and clean. We also recommend dental x-rays every two years to ensure that optimal dental health is maintained, and that invasive and expensive treatments can be avoided.
We also encourage our patients to eat a healthy, balanced diet and practice proper oral hygiene at home. If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, please feel free to raise them with your dentist when you come in for a consultation.
If you would like to find out more about our preventative dental services, or to learn what to expect at a check-up and clean, please have a look here.
To make an appointment, please get in touch here or give us a call on 02 4648 0909.
Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
