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Your mouth does more than just speak. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice that it gives you important clues about your overall health, including indications that you may be suffering from chronic disease, illness, or infection. If left unattended, these oral health issues can lead to more serious health conditions over time.
Your oral health should be a priority not only because it helps prevent conditions of the mouth but because it can help prevent and manage many other health issues, including certain types of cancer and diabetes. Staying on top of your dental health before any of these issues arise can go a long way in maintaining your overall health. Here are four simple tips that will make a big difference in your oral health.
Floss
Flossing is an oral hygiene habit that many people skip because they don’t enjoy doing it, but it is essential to removing food and plaque that gets stuck in between your teeth or beneath your gum line. If stuck food remains under the gum line, you may end up with gum disease or extensive tooth decay. Flossing just once a day, at bedtime, can make a huge difference in your oral health by removing any food that may be left behind from the day.
Drink Fluoridated Water
Dentists have known since the 1940s that drinking water with natural fluoride levels of about one-part fluoride to a million parts water can significantly decrease the occurrence of cavities. In addition, fluoride can not only prevent tooth decay, but it can reverse some of its effects.
All major cities have now supplemented their drinking water with fluoride to help improve the dental health of their citizens. Some have expressed concern that there may be a link between fluoridated water and some types of cancer but there is no research to support those concerns.
Next time you’re feeling thirsty, remember that tap water can improve your dental health in ways that bottled water cannot.
Brush Correctly
You’ve probably been brushing your teeth since you were a toddler but that doesn’t’ mean you are necessarily doing it correctly. The American Dental Association has a few simple tips to help you brush your teeth more effectively.
`1. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from your gums.
2. Move your brush back and forth gently across your teeth.
3. Don’t forget to brush the ridges, back, and front of each tooth.
4. Tilt the brush vertically and make strokes up and down in order to brush the back of your teeth.
In addition, the ADA suggests that everyone brush two times daily and replace their toothbrush every 3-4 months.
Avoid Enamel Wear
Did you know that the enamel on your teeth is the strongest thing in your body? But it can still become damaged by eating foods that have a high concentration of sugar or acid, or even from brushing too hard. Tooth enamel protects the sensitive interior of the tooth so it is important that it remains intact.
You may have worn down enamel if you experience:
·Pain when eating hot or cold foods
·A shiny surface on your teeth
·An uneven edge on the tooth
·A yellow coloring of the teeth
You can prevent tooth enamel wear by:
·Brushing your teeth gently
·Brushing twice daily
·Chewing sugar-free gum in order to reduce the acid in your mouth
·Cutting back on drinks that are high in acid, like soda and fruit juices
·Drinking water
·Eating cheese after a meal to balance the acid from the food
·Flossing
·Using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride
·Using a soft brush
·Having regular checkups with your dentist
Stop Smoking
Half a million Americans die each year because they have used tobacco-related products, making it the number one cause of preventable death in the country. Gingival recession, tooth staining, oral cancer, and periodontal disease are just a few of the health concerns related to cigarettes, according to The American Dental Association. Quitting smoking now will improve your oral health as well as your overall quality of life.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Seeing the dentist is just as important as seeing your family doctor as far as preventative care goes. In 2015, The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that only 64 percent of adults went to the dentist. The frequency with which you visit the dentist depends on your specific needs but the American Dental Association suggests that most adults go at least once, if not twice, each year.
If you are looking for a Powell, Ohio dentist, the Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, please click here.