October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and although it falls during a time when both you and your child are gearing up for a few months of sweet treats because of the holidays, it is important to be mindful of what you are consuming and how it affects your oral health. There are some useful tips and tricks to keeping your mouth healthy at home, but you shouldn’t forget about the benefits of having a dental professional thorough examine and clean your teeth and gums twice a year. Find out why these dental visits are so important and how you can improve your at-home habits with these 5 dental hygiene tips in Carrollton.
Why Should I Be Mindful of My Oral Hygiene?
Your dentist has probably told you multiple times about the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Apart from cavity prevention, it helps to alleviate the possible risk of developing other dental-related diseases and conditions, such as gum disease, oral cancer, and halitosis (bad breath). But your oral health isn’t the only thing that can be negatively affected. In fact, because of the close connection between your mouth and body, there are several health-related problems that can develop as a result of poor oral hygiene, including:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Neurological disorders
- Respiratory disease
- Cancer
What Are Some Tips to Brushing, Flossing, and Better Oral Hygiene?
You might think you’re doing a good job of brushing and flossing, but you might be surprised to learn there are a few techniques that can make your morning and nighttime routine more effective (and less damaging):
- When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristled brush and tilt it to a 45-degree angle. The reason for this is that you will hit every surface of your teeth and gums. It is also important to brush the backsides and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- Use waxed dental floss to gently remove plaque and tartar from between your teeth. You’ll need to do this at least once a day.
- Rinse out your mouth twice a day with an antimicrobial mouthwash. This will prevent halitosis.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as it not only hydrates you, but it also encourages your salivary glands to work correctly and keep your mouth thoroughly flushed out.
- Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue and remove any leftover bacteria that can cause tooth decay or bad breath.
Why Are Regular Dental Visits Important?
Your time is precious, and your dentist understands that. However, it is important that you carve out enough time throughout the year to see your dental team every six months. It doesn’t take long for plaque and tartar to build on and around your gum line and without proper care and treatment, problems can quickly turn from manageable to unstoppable.
Your six-month checkups and cleanings will involve your dentist examining your dental x-rays as well as performing a thorough evaluation of your oral cavity and facial structure. They will be checking for any abnormalities or causes for concern as it pertains to your mouth. Should she discover any problem areas, she will craft a treatment plan for you to review and consider.
A dental hygienist will then perform a thorough cleaning to remove harmful plaque and tartar as well as floss and polish your teeth to give them a beautiful shine.
Your mouth is just as important as the rest of your body, so when it comes to scheduling your appointments, make time to see your dentist. They can be your biggest ally in the fight against tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer, so don’t wait any longer! Put your oral health on the right path today.
About the Author
Dr. Moji Chandy earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry and has been practicing dentistry for more than 12 years. Opening Aegis Dental in 2012, she and her team place high importance on preventive care. Offering dental checkups and cleanings, she encourages her patients to schedule six-month appointments to help keep harmful bacteria away and detect any problems before they start. To learn more about how we can help you, visit our website or call (972) 492-6700.