Comprehensive Oral Hygiene Instruction
Proper oral hygiene is crucial for teeth and gums to remain healthy. We hear this all the time, but not everyone truly understands what it is and how to apply it. At Southland Smiles, our dentists emphasize the importance of oral hygiene instruction to patients at every chance. Proper oral hygiene is an integral part of preventive dentistry.
What is Oral Hygiene?
Oral hygiene refers to the practice of maintaining a healthy, illness-free mouth. It entails cleaning and flossing your teeth, and routinely seeing your dentist for examinations, cleanings, and X-rays. Your best chance for a gorgeous smile and long-lasting dental health is by keeping proper oral hygiene.
Why is Oral Hygiene Important?
Practicing good oral hygiene is essential for preventive dental care. By taking appropriate care of your teeth and gums, you can prevent oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, bad breath (halitosis), and other concerns before they arise.
Whole-body wellness is also associated with dental health. For instance, if you have a mouth infection, the bacteria may enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body, increasing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Maintaining long-term general health requires taking good care of your teeth and gums.
Diseases Linked to Bad Oral Condition
Gingivitis, or the early stage of gum disease, and Periodontitis (severe gum infection) are oral conditions that may contribute to several diseases. According to research, they are linked to the following:
- Pregnancy Complications
- Heart Disease
- Pneumonia
- Stroke
If you or any of your family members have gum problems, see your dentist immediately to prevent them from worsening and leading to other body diseases.
Signs of Bad Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is associated with several symptoms. Some of them may not be as evident as others, but you should watch out for them all.
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Tooth decay.
- Gum bleeding.
- Toothache.
- Gum recession.
- Swollen Jaw.
- Mouth Sores.
How to Improve Your Oral Hygiene
If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned, it’s time to pay closer attention to your oral hygiene. The first thing to do is visit your dentist. Southland Smiles has expert pediatric dentists who can help monitor your child’s dental growth. However, it would help if you do the following immediately:
1. Brush your teeth two times a day and floss every day. Make sure to remove pieces of food and that all your teeth surfaces are clean. This will prevent plaque and bacteria from infesting your teeth and gum line.
2. Clean your tongue. People often forget to do this, but the tongue can also get infested by bacteria, which might transfer to the teeth and gums.
3. Use antibacterial mouthwash daily. This will help remove food debris from your mouth and keep bacteria away. Buy only those alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent your mouth from getting dry.
4. Stop smoking. The use of tobacco products can lead to different types of gum diseases and oral cancer. Quit smoking right away and ask your doctor for any treatment that can help.
Master Oral Health: Essential Hygiene Techniques
The best way to improve oral hygiene is by visiting your dentist regularly. Here at Southland Smiles, our team is always ready to provide essential hygiene techniques and help you master oral health.
Scheduling a dental appointment with Dr. Keturka is easy. Just call 720-782-8639 or click here to schedule today. We look forward to serving you and establishing excellent dental health.
