The 5 Keys to Good Oral Care
Oral care is not rocket science. You don’t have to be a dentist to know how the teeth work and how to keep them in tip-top shape. All you need is to understand a few key points and then act upon that knowledge. Here are the five key points about oral care to understand and incorporate into your life for healthy teeth and gums that last a lifetime.
1. Sugar is not the sole cause of cavities.
Although sugar is a prime offender in causing cavities, it is far from the only one. What causes cavities is actually an acid in the mouth that wears down tooth enamel. This acid is produced when bacteria in the mouth feed on the carbs you consume. While these carbs include sugary foods, they also include foods like pastas, breads, and fruit.
Other contributing factors to cavities include:
- Failing to brush and floss regularly
- Eating acidic foods
- Dry mouth
2. Whitening toothpaste does not do the same thing as professional tooth whitening.
If you think you can save a few bucks by using a whitening toothpaste instead of getting your teeth professionally whitened, you are setting yourself up for disappointment with the results. Whitening toothpaste can indeed help you eliminate surface stains, but it won’t actually make your teeth any whiter. By contrast, professional tooth whitening treatments get below the surface of the teeth, leading to more significant, apparent, and lasting results.
3. Flossing is essential, even if it leads to bleeding gums.
A common misconception about flossing between your teeth is that you should stop doing it if your gums start to bleed. The truth, however, is quite the opposite. Bleeding gums are actually an indication that you should be flossing more. That’s because bleeding gums are a common indicator of gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease. They can also be a warning sign that sufficient plaque has built up in the mouth to cause inflammation. In both cases, by continuing to floss regularly, you can make your gums healthier and thereby stop the bleeding from occurring.
4. Healthy teeth start with baby teeth.
Even though baby teeth fall out at an early age, they’re still essential for the proper development of chewing, speech, and properly aligned teeth. Ignoring the health of baby teeth can result in infections, pain, and misaligned adult teeth.
5. For healthy teeth, you need to see the dentist regularly, no matter what.
Even if your teeth feel perfectly healthy, you still need to get regular dental checkups and cleanings once or twice a year to make sure they stay that way. Just because you don’t notice the early warning signs of gum disease, cavities and other oral health problems, it doesn’t mean they aren’t present. Only a dentist can identify these symptoms reliably and help you ensure they don’t become more severe.
Schedule your next dental examination today by calling (480) 351-0963.
