Maintaining Dental Care And Oral Health
Dental care and oral health are two aspects that if followed correctly, can save plenty of money in the long run. Think about. A trip to the dentist for a filling, for example, isn't cheap. More ‘serious' procedures like root canals cost even more. The good news is that you stand to save a lot by following simple dental practices.
Before delving into what you can do to prevent dental issues, let's look at some of the common emergencies that can send you for a checkup.
Toothache: A symptom rather than a cause, toothache can arise due to a number of reasons. An abscessed tooth, infected gums and tooth decay are some examples. These three causes are controllable i.e. they result from improper care, a poor diet and habits such as tobacco use and excessive drinking.
Trauma: Other causes such as a damaged filling and trauma due to injury are not disease or infection-related but still necessitate a trip to the dentist. Children make up a sizable percentage of patients due to frequent play activities and roughhousing.
Dental care consists of steps which while simple, are really all that's needed to ensure good oral health. What we were taught in our childhood about eating fresh veggies, staying away from tobacco and alcohol and keeping our mouths clean still dictate how we can maintain good oral health.
Brush and floss
A soft toothbrush (never medium or hard), tube of fluoride toothpaste, and a roll of floss are the tools you need to keep teeth and gums clean. Abrasive toothbrushes may appear to be more effective but they can cause damage to the gums and rob teeth of precious enamel. Fluoride in toothpaste, meanwhile, keeps teeth whiter by removing surface stains. As for floss, no other at-home product can remove food particles from between the teeth.
Brushing and flossing twice a day is the minimum requirement though doing so after every meal is even better. If you do brush often you'll realize just how beneficial it is to use a soft brush. Regular mouth rinses with a mouthwash – and even water a few times – can get out particles if frequent brushing and flossing aren't possible.
Snacking in moderation
Certain foods are natural enemies of teeth and the only way to enjoy eating them while keeping teeth and gums healthy is to limit consumption and brush and floss an hour or two after snacking. Sugary gum, chips, dried fruits, candies, cookies, pies, cakes and pastries are the culprits. Have them in moderation and don't give the sugar time to layer the teeth and cause bacteria to form.
Dental checkups and overall health
Dental visits are usually unpleasant but they don't have to be. The better the state of your oral health, the less you have to worry about fillings, root canals and implants. Non-tobacco users and non-drinkers can visit the dentist for a routine checkup once a year. Smokers, tobacco users and drinkers must increase the frequency to at least twice a year.
Oral health also has a direct link to the overall health of the body. For example, it's a well-known fact that periodontal disease increases the risk of suffering heart disease by two-fold, not including smoking as a risk factor. And in diabetics, inflammation of the gums can make it harder to maintain ideal blood sugar levels. Conversely, diabetics who find it difficult to keep blood sugar levels in control are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease.
Before delving into what you can do to prevent dental issues, let's look at some of the common emergencies that can send you for a checkup.
Toothache: A symptom rather than a cause, toothache can arise due to a number of reasons. An abscessed tooth, infected gums and tooth decay are some examples. These three causes are controllable i.e. they result from improper care, a poor diet and habits such as tobacco use and excessive drinking.
Trauma: Other causes such as a damaged filling and trauma due to injury are not disease or infection-related but still necessitate a trip to the dentist. Children make up a sizable percentage of patients due to frequent play activities and roughhousing.
Dental care consists of steps which while simple, are really all that's needed to ensure good oral health. What we were taught in our childhood about eating fresh veggies, staying away from tobacco and alcohol and keeping our mouths clean still dictate how we can maintain good oral health.
Brush and floss
A soft toothbrush (never medium or hard), tube of fluoride toothpaste, and a roll of floss are the tools you need to keep teeth and gums clean. Abrasive toothbrushes may appear to be more effective but they can cause damage to the gums and rob teeth of precious enamel. Fluoride in toothpaste, meanwhile, keeps teeth whiter by removing surface stains. As for floss, no other at-home product can remove food particles from between the teeth.
Brushing and flossing twice a day is the minimum requirement though doing so after every meal is even better. If you do brush often you'll realize just how beneficial it is to use a soft brush. Regular mouth rinses with a mouthwash – and even water a few times – can get out particles if frequent brushing and flossing aren't possible.
Snacking in moderation
Certain foods are natural enemies of teeth and the only way to enjoy eating them while keeping teeth and gums healthy is to limit consumption and brush and floss an hour or two after snacking. Sugary gum, chips, dried fruits, candies, cookies, pies, cakes and pastries are the culprits. Have them in moderation and don't give the sugar time to layer the teeth and cause bacteria to form.
Dental checkups and overall health
Dental visits are usually unpleasant but they don't have to be. The better the state of your oral health, the less you have to worry about fillings, root canals and implants. Non-tobacco users and non-drinkers can visit the dentist for a routine checkup once a year. Smokers, tobacco users and drinkers must increase the frequency to at least twice a year.
Oral health also has a direct link to the overall health of the body. For example, it's a well-known fact that periodontal disease increases the risk of suffering heart disease by two-fold, not including smoking as a risk factor. And in diabetics, inflammation of the gums can make it harder to maintain ideal blood sugar levels. Conversely, diabetics who find it difficult to keep blood sugar levels in control are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease.
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