Proper oral care is vital to your overall health. While your immune system does a pretty good job of keeping bad bacteria under control, if you don’t stay on top of your oral hygiene, bacteria in the mouth can multiply to the point that tooth and gum infections occur. Furthermore, poor oral care can result in health consequences such as heart disease and atherosclerosis. Keep reading to discover numerous tips for oral care
Proper Oral Care for Adults
Brush Regularly
One of the most important things you can do to keep up with your oral care is to brush your teeth regularly. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every time you eat. If this is not possible, you should brush your teeth and tongue at least twice per day. Note that, regardless of when you eat, it is highly advisable to brush your teeth before you go to bed. This ensures that you get rid of harmful particles that accumulate throughout the day.
If you wake up with bad breath, even if you don’t eat breakfast, you must brush your teeth in the morning. Bad breath is caused by a build-up of bacteria. The longer you go without brushing your teeth, the more time bacteria has to multiply and damage your oral health.
Brush Correctly
Brushing your teeth at least twice per day will help you maintain good oral care. However, it is extremely important for the health of your mouth that you brush your teeth properly. It is crucial for your oral care to choose toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride will help strengthen your enamel and is excellent for plaque removal.
It is also important that you brush the front of your teeth with small circular motions while holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. When you brush the back of your teeth, make sure your toothbrush is angled towards your gum line. It is also worth noting that your toothbrush should be changed every three months or when the bristles start to fray and no longer stand upright.
Use the Right Toothbrush
Your toothbrush can make a big impact on your oral care so make sure you invest in the right one. You can choose from a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush as well as soft-, medium-, or hard-bristles. Depending on how hard you brush your teeth, a soft-bristled toothbrush may be best rather than a medium- or hard-bristled toothbrush. Regardless of your toothbrush choice, be sure not to brush too vigorously because the surface of your roots, your enamel, and even your gums could be damaged.
Be sure not to purchase a toothbrush with natural bristles. While natural bristles may be good for the environment, they are not good for your oral care because they can retain bacteria. Also, while picking out your next toothbrush, make sure the handle feels comfortable in your hand and the head of the toothbrush is small enough to reach each of your teeth.
Minimize Alcohol Consumption
Another very important step to take to care for your oral care is to minimize alcohol consumption. It’s okay to have a drink or two, but the more alcohol you drink, the drier your mouth becomes. A drier mouth means saliva flow is reduced, which increases your risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
The reason adequate saliva is important for your oral care is that saliva helps to wash away bacteria from your gums and teeth. If your mouth is dry, more bacteria can cling to the enamel of your teeth. If you are chronically dehydrated or you drink large quantities of alcohol regularly, there is a good chance that you could suffer from tooth decay. Furthermore, bacteria can cling to your gums and result in gum disease if you don’t have enough saliva.
Don't Smoke
You probably already know smoking is bad for your overall health, but smoking can also have a significant impact on your oral care, especially if your risk of gum disease is high due to obesity, genetics, or malnutrition, such as vitamin C deficiency. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes, significantly increases your risk of periodontitis (gum disease). Periodontitis can lead to additional health consequences such as respiratory disease, coronary artery disease, and oral cancer.
Manage Your Diabetes
Managing your diabetes is another important step to take for the sake of your oral care. If you develop gum disease, it can be harder for you to manage your blood sugar, which is especially dangerous if you have diabetes.
The higher your blood sugar is, the weaker your white blood cells become. Your white blood cells play a crucial role in fighting the bacteria that result in gum disease and other tooth and gum infections.
Get Regular Checkups
It’s ideal to come in for a routine checkup twice per year to maintain good oral care. Visiting your dentist for routine dental cleanings and exams is important for several reasons. During your checkup, your teeth will be professionally cleaned and examined for any issues that may be starting. If a problem is identified, your dentist can recommend safe, effective treatments.
Enamel Repair
Enamel repair may be necessary if you have neglected to practice proper oral care consistently. Many factors can result in damaged tooth enamel, including using a hard-bristled toothbrush, brushing your teeth too aggressively, or lacking sufficient saliva flow. Other factors that increase your risk of damaging tooth enamel erosion include:
- Excessive soft drink consumption
- A high-sugar diet
- GERD
- Chronic GI distress
- Eating too many citrus fruits
- Taking antihistamines
- Taking aspirin
- Eating sour candies
- Binge drinking
- Genetics
- Excessive tooth grinding
The ideal enamel restoration treatment for you depends on numerous factors, including the extent of your enamel loss. If your problem is severe, a crown may be used to cover the tooth, improving its appearance and protecting it from decaying further. Veneers are also often recommended in the case of severe enamel loss. Similarly, tooth bonding may be recommended to protect the tooth and improve its appearance.
It is vital for your overall health to maintain proper oral care. Some of the most important oral care steps include brushing regularly and properly, moderating alcohol, managing existing health conditions, and getting regular dental checkups. If it’s been at least six months since your last checkup, it may be a good time to schedule an appointment.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
