Good Dental Care Habits
Your dentist can only do so much for your dental health. He or she can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing. But you need to do your part at home to keep periodontal disease at bay by maintain good dental care habits.
Dental check-ups are recommended for every 6 months. During a routine exam, your dentist will remove plaque buildup that you can’t brush off or floss away and look for signs of decay.
Almost all tooth decay and most gum disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene, it only takes a few minutes each day to brush and floss. That’s not a lot in return for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Good oral hygiene
- Your teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
Maintaining good oral hygiene for yourself as well as for your children will keep your family’s teeth and gums healthy. The worst thing is for your picky eating toddler or your growing teenager not to be able to chew because of a toothache or discomfort.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep teeth strong and healthy from childhood to old age.
Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene
- Poor oral hygiene invites plaque to accumulate around the base of your teeth and gum line, causing your gums to become red and inflamed.
- Plaque is the bacteria that, if allowed to accumulate on teeth and gums, will cause tooth decay and gum disease.
- If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of empty spaces around your teeth. These spaces could eventually lead to the destruction of bone and other fragile tissues supporting your teeth, and you could lose your teeth.
Statistics say that one in four young children develop signs of tooth decay before they start school. Half of all children between the ages of 12 and 15 have cavities. Dental care should begin as soon as a child’s first tooth appears, usually around six months.
Maintaining good oral hygiene will not only enable you to look and feel good, but it prevents you from going through painful procedures.
Good Dental Care Habits
- Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
- Eating a balanced diet
- Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
Good dental care at any age is important, but if you begin when kids are young and remain consistent, you can help them make good dental habits that last a lifetime.
Daily preventive care is most important, never skip or forget to brush and floss this will help stop problems before they start. It’s less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.