Do you get a gold star for your routine oral hygiene? Or is there room for improvement?
If you think there are some learning opportunities, you’re in good company. It’s estimated that on any given day about 50% of adults make some type of oral hygiene mistake.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re making a mistake or two. Chances are pretty good that your parents might not have given you all the secrets to maintaining good oral health.
While they may have covered other touchy subjects in more detail, they might not have offered you the same level of detail to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and how to avoid damaging them.
Fortunately, we’re here to help fill in the gaps (pun intended), at least for your oral health.
Here are some things your parents may not have told you regarding your oral health.
- When You Brush Your Teeth Matters – Timing is key to when you brush your teeth, especially after you consume certain foods. If you brush your teeth too soon after eating or drinking acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, soft drinks, even coffee, this can actually damage the enamel of your teeth. Give yourself around 30 minutes to an hour before you brush after consuming acidic foods and beverages.
- Your Saliva Works Hard to Keep You Healthy – Saliva is more than just spit! It helps neutralize the acids in your mouth and prevent cavities. Saliva also helps combat gum disease, and it’s vital to protecting your overall health. When it flows like it should, most people produce about 24 ounces of saliva every day. But many of us don’t produce as much saliva as we need for it to properly do its job. In fact, more than a â…“ of adults suffer from chronic dry mouth. Coping with a mouth that feels as dry as a desert doesn’t have to be part of your life. We can help!
- Flossing is More Important Than You Think – Love flossing? Most of us don’t. But even if you brush your teeth twice a day, you’re missing around 30% of your tooth surfaces…if you don’t floss. Flossing removes food particles and plaque between teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach. It might not be fun to floss, but neither are cavities.
- Healthy Gums Benefit Your Teeth & Much More – When your gums are healthy they help secure your teeth in place and also protect the roots of your teeth from any debris sneaking in. Healthy gums can also keep you out of harms way. Did you know that the oral bacteria that causes gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, doesn’t stay in your mouth? it travels. And if this bacteria breaks into your bloodstream, it can reach organs throughout your body, including the brain. Gum disease is linked to Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Heart Disease, as well as other serious diseases. Fortunately, we can help keep your gums free of gum disease, and, if you already have it, we can treat it and keep it under control.
- Not All Cavities Hurt – Cavities are sneaky! Just because you don’t feel any pain it doesn’t mean your teeth are actually cavity-free. Cavities often don’t cause any discomfort or pain until they reach the nerve, which is why regular checkups are essential. We’ll keep an eye out for any lurking tooth decay and nip it before it can cause more serious dental issues like a root canal.
- Change Your Toothbrush Regularly – After a certain amountof brushings, the bristles on your toothbrush will become frayed and less effective. Bacteria will also accumulate on your brush over time, even after you rinse it. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to change your toothbrush (or brush head, if using an electric toothbrush) about every 3 to 4 months.
- Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health – What’s good for your teeth is good for your body. Slacking on your routine oral hygiene will negatively impact your oral health which can, in turn, link you to serious health issues, like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Glaucoma, and even certain cancers. Taking care of your teeth can have a positive influence on your overall well-being.
- Your Diet Affects Your Teeth – What you eat – and don’t eat – plays a big role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Sugary and acidic foods promote tooth decay, while tooth friendly foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus can strengthen teeth. Even snacks between meals can cause plaque buildup if you don’t brush afterward.
- Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue – 50% of the bacteria in your mouth enjoy making your tongue their home. Bacteria contributes to bad breath. And your tongue is also part of the first line of defense in your immune system. Brushing your tongue with a tongue scraper or a toothbrush will help reduce bad breath and can improve your immune system.
- Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard Doesn’t Make Your Teeth Cleaner – Some people think brushing their teeth with more force actually makes their teeth cleaner. It doesn’t. But it can damage your gums and erode tooth enamel. when it comes to your brush stroke, stick with a gentle, circular motion. And don’t forget to to use a softer bristle toothbrush and brush for about 2 minutes.
Maintaining good oral health isn’t a mystery. Following some of these extra steps, and being more mindful about your daily oral hygiene, can help promote a lifetime of good oral health!
If it’s been a while since your last check-up, or you’ve noticing any sensitivity with your gums or teeth, please call us at (206) 524-1000 to schedule a visit with us or reach out to us online.