Good oral hygiene is important for good general health. We learn more and more every day about the negative affects poor dental care can have on every aspect of overall health and well being. For this reason, it is very important that you not only visit your dentist regularly, but also learn to take excellent care of your own teeth. In this article, we will discuss some good oral hygiene practices.
Try using sensitive teeth toothpaste if your situation requires it. Your teeth may be sensitive if you have problems (discomfort or pain) when eating very cold or very hot foods. You must be sure that you talk to a dentist when this occurs so you’re sure it’s not something more serious.
Most people know that fast food hamburgers aren’t good for you, but did you know they can affect your teeth? The hamburger bun contains sugars, which can increase the risk of Cavities, and most fast food burgers contain ketchup, which also has a lot of added sugar. Keep fast food consumption to a minimum and brush your teeth right after eating a hamburger.
Saliva plays an important part in keeping your mouth clean. If your mouth always feel dry, you need to hydrate more regularly and use antibacterial rinses to make up for the lack of saliva. If you take any medication, look up a list of side effects to find out if your medication could be causing your mouth to be dry.
Invest in one of those small hand-held mirrors like your dentist uses in his office. It can help you to spot plaque and tarter build-up in places not accessible to the naked eye and can assist you when you’ve got something stuck in between teeth. You can also use it to inspect your mouth for anomalies that may indicate underlying health issues.
Cavities
Medicine can be the cause of your bad breath or cotton mouth. Without adequate saliva production, you may be more prone to cavities and discomfort. Check with your physician to find out if your medications could be causing chronic dry mouth. If that is the case, you might be able to try a different medication. If you have to stick with the same one, there may be other ways to combat a dry mouth.
To keep your teeth healthy and free of cavities you should avoid drinking flavored fruit juices. Fruit juices contain tons of cavity-causing sugars. In fact, although fruit juices sound as if they are good for you, in reality, they have just as much sugar as soda pop. Drink water instead.
If you have a kid that gets cavities frequently, discuss a sealant with the dentist. Sealants are clear and placed each tooth. This is a permanent coating that is good for children who get lots of cavities because their tooth enamel is weak. The sealant is done by your dentist, and your child won’t have to be sedated.
If you have a young child, consider asking your dentist about fluoride treatments at their six month dental visits. Fluoride treatments provide a longer lasting coat of protection to each tooth, and this protection lasts much longer than traditional toothpaste. This can help to keep cavities away and keep your child’s teeth healthy.
Clearly, there is a great deal you can do to maintain your own excellent dental health. When you take the time to choose your dental hygiene products with care and use them properly it will go a long way toward helping you maintain your overall health. Remember to brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist at least once a year for great dental health.