Routine steps for maintaining healthy teeth

posted byMuse Dental GroupJuly 27, 2021

Maintaining healthy teeth is important for maintaining your overall wellness.

A sparkling smile requires a good oral care routine and regular visits to the dentist.

In this article, we are discussing ways to help maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and why it is important to do so:

Importance of Maintaining Healthy Teeth

Before we start discussing ways to maintain healthy teeth, it is important to understand the repercussions of poor oral hygiene and how it can greatly affect your overall health.

Neglecting oral care can cause oral diseases that may become serious. However, they are all preventable with the right dental care.

The most common issue that arises is cavities. If one does not properly take care of their teeth, plaque will build up leading to tooth decay. Cavities left untreated means the decay can eat through the enamel and dentin, causing serious pain.

Additionally, not maintaining proper oral hygiene can lead to gingivitis or gum disease, which is also a result of plaque build up.

If you do not brush or floss, plaque will leave the gums inflamed and bloody and if left untreated, which can lead to periodontitis, an infection of the gums that can spread to other parts of the body.

Maintaining healthy teeth means maintaining a healthy body. The choices one makes in their daily life directly impacts oral health.

Lifestyle choices, such as smoking and chewing tobacco could lead to serious problems such as oral cancer.

Visit Your Dentist for Cleaning and Prevention

One of the most important steps to take to maintain healthy teeth is visiting your dentist often.

It is important to visit your dentist every six months, not only for routine cleanings but also to help prevent cavities and gingivitis.

Let’s discuss what to expect when visiting your dentist for a cleaning .

As we previously mentioned, built-up plaque is to blame for cavities and tooth decay. So, the first thing your dentist will do is remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth.

If you neglect flossing, built up plaque will turn into tartar which can only be removed by the dentist.

Next, your dentist will brush and floss your teeth professionally with a high powered toothbrush. Your dentist will use an abrasive toothpaste that scrubs the teeth for a deep clean.

With professional flossing your dentist will be able to prevent gingivitis by stimulating the gums and removing leftover tartar that may lead to increased inflammation.

Next, your dentist will provide a fluoride treatment that helps protect them from cavities in the future. Fluoride remineralizes the surface of your teeth, keeping the enamel protected and resistant to acid.

Your dentist will either paint the fluoride on with a tiny brush or place a mouthguard with treated gel on the teeth.

Finally, your dentist will finish off by adding sealant to the back molars. This sealant will protect the teeth from cavities by creating a protective layer over the teeth.

Keep Up Your Oral Hygiene

Another important step to maintaining your healthy teeth is keeping up your oral hygiene.

Yes, just simply brushing and flossing daily plays a central role in your oral health and having a beautiful smile.

Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, both morning and night to ensure there is no bacteria or leftover food in your teeth that can lead to decay. Brushing at night is especially important because you are removing all of the food that has accumulated throughout the day.

While many of us brush our teeth daily, some people do not brush their teeth properly! To do the most thorough job, brush in circular motions to remove the plaque and brush your tongue as well.

Not only will taking these steps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, but they will also prevent bad breath.

The next step for keeping up your oral hygiene is flossing. We know that flossing can sometimes be tedious and feel unnecessary, but flossing is extremely important as it stimulates the gums and removes plaque and food from hard to reach areas of your mouth.

Finally, finish off your oral care with some mouthwash, which will take care of the areas you missed after brushing and flossing. Additionally, mouthwash reduces the acid in the mouth, helping balance your mouth.

Avoid Habits that Affect Oral Health

Having healthy teeth is also dependent on having a healthy lifestyle. The choices you make affect the health of your teeth, whether you realize it or not.

Eating a diet high in sugar can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Sugar combines with naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth to form an acid that can eat away at the teeth.

To maintain healthy teeth avoid sugary sodas and food and be sure to brush your teeth if you choose to indulge in a sugary treat.

Additionally, drinking water is great for your body, skin, and teeth! Drinking water regularly will benefit your oral health as it helps remove leftover food, preventing build up of bacteria.

Finally, avoid smoking if you want to have healthy teeth, as smoking leads to yellowing of the teeth and tongue as well as having a strong correlation to gum disease.

Conclusion

Here at Muse Dental, we want to help you maintain your oral health and provide you with the best care possible. If you are due for a dental cleaning and exam, schedule your appointment with us today!

We’d love to have you for a checkup at Muse Dental Group with Dr. G. Bardakjian. He will evaluate your oral health and will ensure your cleaning is done with the utmost care. Your smile is in great hands at Muse Dental Group!

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