About 26% of adults (ages 20 to 44) have untreated dental caries. Meanwhile, 13.% of children (ages 5 to 19) have untreated cavities, too. Neglecting basic dental care could leave your entire family at risk of cavities and other oral health issues.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about daily oral hygiene and your dental health. After reviewing this guide, you can make healthy changes to your daily routine.
Learn more about the basics of dental health today!
Oral hygiene is the regular practice of keeping your mouth (teeth, gums, etc.) clean and healthy. Prioritizing your oral hygiene involves brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Regular visits to your local dentist for dental exams, cleanings, and X-rays are important as well.
Proper oral care is essential if you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Otherwise, neglecting your oral health can compromise your overall health.
You can use preventative dentistry techniques for the best chance at a healthy, beautiful smile. Regular check-ups at your dentist's office will ensure you catch any problems before they progress, too.
Why is it so important to apply basic dental care techniques?
Prioritizing your oral health is preventative, meaning you can avoid oral health issues like:
Preventing oral health issues before they develop can save you time, money, and stress. It can also help you avoid other health issues that can affect your quality of life. In fact, your oral health is associated with your entire body's health.
If an infection develops in your mouth, your bloodstream could carry the bacteria throughout your body. Your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health issues will increase. By prioritizing your dental care, you can prevent bacteria from growing and spreading in the first place.
Keep an eye out for symptoms that indicate you've developed an oral health problem. For example:
If these symptoms sound familiar, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Neglecting your oral health could increase your risk of cavities, gingivitis, or periodontitis.
When left untreated, gingivitis can progress into its advanced stage, periodontitis. Your risk of losing teeth will increase if you don't seek treatment. Periodontitis could also contribute to health concerns like:
A preexisting condition could have a negative effect on your oral health, too. For example, you should let your dentist know if you have:
Talk to your local dentist if you or a family member has one of the above conditions. They can help you improve your oral hygiene, supporting your overall healthcare needs.
Schedule an appointment with your local dentist to determine where you can make improvements regarding your oral health.
Basic dental care starts by keeping your teeth and gums healthy to ensure a beautiful, disease-free smile. Here are a few basic tips that can help you improve your daily oral hygiene routine.
First, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, each morning and right before bed. Choose a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush (an electric one is ideal). Harder bristles could damage your tooth enamel and gums.
If your gums tend to bleed when you brush your teeth, consider switching to a brush with softer bristles.
Brush your teeth by holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, toward the gums. Brush using slow circles. Get the backs and sides of each tooth to clear away plaque and bacteria.
When plaque is left unattended, it can harden into tartar. You'll need to schedule a professional cleaning at your dentist's office to have tartar removed. Otherwise, your risk of gum disease could increase.
Don't forget to brush your tongue, too. Your tongue can retain bacteria like a sponge. If you're uncomfortable using your toothbrush, get a tongue scraper instead.
Don't forget to floss once a day. If you're struggling to reach your back teeth, consider using a floss pick. Floss picks are also ideal for patients with dexterity issues.
Start with a piece of floss about 18 inches long. After wrapping each end around your middle fingers, use your thumbs to guide the floss between your teeth. Wrap the floss around each tooth by creating a C-shape.
Use about 10 strokes, up and down, to clear away food particles and plaque.
Keep repeating this step until you've flossed between every tooth.
You can also prioritize your dental care by visiting your local dentist twice a year.
Routine dental cleanings and exams can help you maintain good oral health. Your dentist can recognize signs of oral health issues like cavities and gum disease early on, too. They can take immediate measures to ensure these problems don't progress.
Your dentist can also provide additional dental care tips to help you improve your oral health. For example, they might recommend you switch oral hygiene products. They might recommend a procedure if you have a specific oral health care concern.
Don't neglect your oral health. Instead, use these basic dental care tips to maintain a stunning, healthy smile. Developing a daily oral hygiene routine is the first step to healthy teeth and gums.
Don't forget to visit your dentist twice a year!
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