Good Oral Health Starts In the Home and Continues With a Great Dental care

Prevention starts with great oral hygiene habits at home, as well as regular dental visits for cleanings and exams to catch any problems early. Even if decay is caught and treated in the early stages, the cavity might still affect the tooth’s structure. This is why prevention is so important to keep cavities from causing severe damage in the future.

Cavities form when plaque forms on the teeth and stays in the mouth for a long time. The bacteria in plaque will break down sugars and starches from the foods you eat into acids that can damage your teeth and cause tooth decay. These acids can destroy your tooth enamel, which is the protective layer over the more sensitive dentin layer below it. Once the enamel has been damaged, it can expose the sensitive dentin layer to more bacteria and acidity, increasing the risk of further decay and even infection. It is important to practice good dental hygiene habits and visit the dentist regularly to prevent these complications from happening.

Avoid Sugary Beverages

One of the best things you can do to protect your teeth is to avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice. These beverages have a large amount of sugar, which feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay. Water is the best drink for your oral health and overall health, so try to switch to water instead of other sugary drinks. If you must drink a sugary beverage, brush your teeth afterward to remove the sugar and bacteria from your mouth.

Wear a Mouth Guard

When you grind your teeth at night, you risk wearing down your enamel and causing permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Your dentist can give you a protective mouth guard to wear while you sleep so that your teeth are protected from the grinding that occurs in your sleep. A nightguard can also protect your tongue and jaw from being injured when you clench them too hard against the teeth.

Brushing Techniques

When brushing your teeth, make sure you brush at the correct angle – the right angle for your gums is a 45-degree angle. Hold your toothbrush at that angle and use it to gently clean between all your teeth, as well as the surface of each of your teeth. Make sure you use toothpaste that’s appropriate for your oral needs. For sensitive teeth or gums, it’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to help reduce irritation. Be sure to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth. That’s how long it takes to properly remove any plaque buildup from the surface of your teeth. If you’re not able to brush your teeth after a meal, be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Water won’t remove food debris from your smile, but it can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth from food sources.

Flossing

Proper flossing techniques are important to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Brushing is only half of your oral hygiene routine; the other half is cleaning the spaces between your teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners such as water picks. The American Dental Association recommends we brush our teeth for two minutes twice daily and floss at least once per day. You may prefer to use a soft toothbrush and an inter-dental cleaner to clean your teeth after each meal. Your dentist in Chicago, IL, can recommend the right products for your smile.

Following these tips can help you get the most out of your home care efforts:

• Make sure to floss one time per day before you go to bed. If this isn’t possible, try to floss at least once a day, preferably at bedtime.
• Break off approximately 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the other middle finger. This finger will take up the excess used floss as you clean between each tooth.
• Gently glide the floss up and down between each of your teeth using small, gentle motions. Don’t push yourself too hard when flossing, as this could damage your gums.
• When you reach the end of the floss, use a clean section of it to continue cleaning between your teeth. Never reuse dirty sections of floss, as this can cause harmful bacteria to move closer to your gums and cause more harm.

Regular Dental Checkups

When patients visit their dentist regularly for a checkup and professional cleaning, it’s much easier for the dentist to detect and treat problems before they become worse. The cleaner the teeth and the healthier the gums, the better a patient’s smile will look! Plus, regular checkups are also a great opportunity for patients to talk to their dentists about any concerns they have about their smiles. This way, they can enjoy better oral health and wellness for years to come.

Call us at 773-880-2310 or email us at office@sheffieldsquaredental.com to schedule your appointment. Visit Sheffield Square Dental Care at 2835 N. Sheffield Ave, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60657.