Why is Oral Health Important for Overall Wellness?
The majority of dentists in West Edmonton would agree that the most significant dental care outside of their office is performed during a patient’s daily oral hygiene routine. Although your dentist possesses extensive training and skills when it comes to professional dental care, ultimately you have the most control over your oral health outcomes. If you are able to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine every day, it is likely that your dental check-ups will be a lot smoother and problem-free.
What Common Habits Damage Oral Health?
Unfortunately, many of us dismiss the importance of dental hygiene despite all the knowledge we’ve been given about its benefits. Let’s discuss flossing first. How many of us floss daily? You’d be surprised to find out that there is a substantial amount of people who don’t floss on a daily basis. But there are other bad habits that we give into beyond neglecting flossing. For example, how many of us drink pop regularly despite knowing how bad it is for our oral health and overall health?
What Health Problems Result from Poor Oral Care?
When it comes to your oral health, you’ll need to understand the magnitude of having good oral health for your overall wellness. Without proper care, you can develop tooth decay, which is a bacterial infection that destroys tooth enamel. Tooth decay is generally what triggers a toothache. If you’ve ever experienced a toothache you would know just how uncomfortable it can be. Not to mention, you’ll be required to visit an emergency dental clinic in Edmonton for urgent treatment.
This is not the worst of it. Poor oral health can result in halitosis (bad breath), gum disease, and tooth loss. In addition, poor oral hygiene has been linked to cardiovascular problems and systemic health issues. Just think brushing and flossing your teeth could help you avoid heart disease. What better reason would you need?
How Does Poor Oral Health Affect Your Budget?
Now, don’t forget what oral hygiene can do to your wallet and financial well-being. If you aren’t taking care of your teeth, your pockets will pay for it through expensive emergency treatments. You may think that skipping a regular dental check-up can save you money. But the opposite is actually true. During dental check-ups, your dentist in West Edmonton can help you detect oral issues early on for prompt treatment. The longer problems linger, the more they will worsen and in the end, you can expect to be paying one hefty dental bill, which could have easily been prevented through regular preventive care.
What Are the Essential Oral Hygiene Basics?
Now I’m sure after reading those reasons above, you’ve started to see the seriousness of dental hygiene and its impact on your health. It’s now time to look at the fundamental dental hygiene basics that form the foundation of good oral care. Firstly, the most basic thing you can do to ensure good oral hygiene is to brush twice daily with proper technique. Most commonly, people brush their teeth once in the morning and once before bed to remove plaque buildup.
What Tools Do You Need for Effective Oral Care?
When it comes to your toothbrush, you should be using a toothbrush with soft-bristles to protect your tooth enamel and gums. You should begin using a new toothbrush every three months or as soon as the bristles become frayed. Replacing your toothbrush will ensure that your teeth are being cleaned effectively and bacteria don’t accumulate on old bristles. In terms of toothpaste, you should use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects teeth against tooth decay and acid attacks from bacteria.
What Should Your Daily Oral Care Routine Include?
You also need to ensure that you are flossing your teeth once daily. Ideally, the teeth should be flossed twice per day to remove plaque between teeth. This will remove food particles lodged between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. When debris is left to linger, bacteria in your mouth feed off it and cause tooth decay and gum inflammation.
How Do Food Choices Impact Your Oral Health?
Now, if you really value good oral health, then it’s likely you value good overall health and wellness. When we speak about our food choices, we often forget that the food we eat affects our body and our teeth directly. You’ll definitely want to reconsider what you put into your mouth, especially when it comes to products that are high in sugar content. For example, desserts, sugary drinks, and candy lead to tooth decay. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages are a large contributor to dental problems. When you consume sugary snacks and drinks, the bacteria in your mouth produces acids which damage your tooth enamel and create cavities.
See, there was a good reason behind all those lectures our parents gave us about how candy is bad for our teeth after all. Instead, opt for nutritious foods like apples and other crunchy fruits. Not only are they crunchy and delicious they help to clean your mouth by stimulating saliva production, which naturally cleanses your teeth. You can also chew sugar-free gum if you want to keep the environment in your mouth clean and healthy between meals. Now, last but not least, be sure to visit your dental clinic in Edmonton every six months for professional care. A dental cleaning and exam will ensure optimal oral health through professional plaque removal and early problem detection. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure when it comes to maintaining your oral health.
