Maintaining your oral heath relies on good oral hygiene practices!
Tooth decay & gum disease are by far the most prevalent forms of dental disease today and too many people still don’t realize that poor dental health can pose significant general health problems.
Truth is, cavities & gum disease don’t have to happen. Today thanks to modern technology, therapies & materials, most patients who are armed with the proper knowledge and the right home dental care regime can rest easy and fear most dental problems no more.
When it comes to cavities, bacteria are public enemy #1. Our mouths are full of bacteria that settle on our teeth in the form of plaque. These bacteria devour food particles left on our teeth. Ungrateful guests, they produce acid as a by-product of their feasting. This acid eats into the tooth enamel and can create a cavity. Without effective care, the acid can actually eat a hole through the enamel, into the underlying dentin and pulp layer of the tooth, causing pain. If left untreated, the cavity will eventually destroy the dentil, pulp and tooth nerve.
The good news is that an effective daily oral hygiene regimen can reduce the incidence of cavities.
It’s crucial to brush and floss all your tooth surfaces and you should devote 2-3 minutes to the task, twice a day. Flossing is the single most important weapon against dental disease, and arguably, more important than your toothbrush. As with most life’s experience, good technique is essential. Our dental hygienists can always assist you with perfecting your flossing skills.
You can also reduce your risk of getting cavities by watching what you eat, bacteria are particularly fond of foods that tend to stick to your teeth like peanut butter, caramel and honey. Because these foods are not cleared by chewing and swallowing, they can provide bacteria with a long-lasting food source with which to make acid. Good oral hygiene and attention to what and when you eat, can help to virtually eliminate cavities.
Smoking cigarettes can also cause a variety of oral health problems, including gum diseases & oral cancer. So, if you’re still smoking, it’s vital that you receive regular dental care, as well as a yearly oral cancer screening. Try to see our dentists on a regular basis because dental problems often remain silent and result in pain only after significant damage has already occurred.
During a semi-annual exam, we can identify many of these potentially devastating problems before they cause any major damage. We can also detect any places in your mouth that are prime targets for cavity formation because of inadequate brushing and/ or flossing, and help you to take remedial action
Yours for better dental health,
Dr. Russell Grover