Family dental care near Aldershot: how to prevent oral health problems
As a parent, you are always dedicated to everyone in the family having a healthy smile. This emphasizes the importance of good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene may lead to various dental as well as cosmetic problems in the future, which include gum disease, bone loss, infection, stained or unsightly teeth, loss of teeth, and various other issues.
You should schedule regular check-ups and dental cleanings with the family dentist to prevent such dental problems, and practice good oral hygiene. Dr. Swati Khanna (Dentistry at La Salle) provides safe and effective family dental care for patients near Aldershot.
Here are some tips to help you promote great oral health.
- Brush Your Teeth Properly
You should position the bristles of the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to the gum line while brushing your teeth. Both the tooth surface and the gum line should stay in contact of the bristles. You should gently brush the outer surfaces of your teeth in the back-and-forth and up-and-down motion to avoid gum bleeding.
You should also brush the roof of your mouth and the surface of your tongue to remove bacteria. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent the buildup of acid formed as the bacteria break down the food.
- Ensure Regular Flossing
Flossing can help in removing the food particles and plaque that are not removed by regular brushing. Flossing helps you in reaching deep between your teeth where you cannot reach by the toothbrush bristles and cannot wash away with mouthwash. You should floss at least once a day as recommended by the dentist.
- Avoid Tobacco
Your teeth will thank you for this favor. First, it will save you from periodontal complications and oral cancer. Second, it will protect you from the countless ill effects of the agents used for masking the smell of tobacco. People who smoke a cigarette generally use tea, coffee, or candies to mask the odor and smoky breath. This doubles the severity of damage caused.
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- Limit Consumption of Sodas, Coffee, and Alcohol
These beverages often contain a high amount of phosphorous. Although, phosphorus is an essential mineral to maintain a healthy mouth, too much intake of phosphorus can deplete the level of calcium in the body. Eventually, it leads to dental hygiene problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Beverages contain additives like food dye, which can make your pearly white teeth look discolored and dull.
- Consume Calcium and essential Vitamins required for good health
Your teeth require plenty of calcium. In fact, calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. You should drink milk and fortified orange juice to get calcium and essential vitamins. Also, you should eat broccoli, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. Sometimes, your dentist may prescribe different doses of calcium supplements according to your age and body requirement.
Vitamin D and calcium are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin B complex protects the teeth and gums from cracking and bleeding. Zinc, copper, iron, iodine, and potassium are also essential to maintain dental health.
- Schedule a Visit to Your Dentist
Visit your dentist for a full hygiene treatment at least twice a year. During the appointments, your dentist may perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth by taking x-rays to detect issues and prevent potential dental treatments in future.
- Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is not a necessity for maintaining oral hygiene. Also, all mouthwashes are not equally useful. Listerine or mouthwashes that contain chlorine dioxide help in killing the bacteria within your mouth. Such mouthwashes can help in maintaining fresh breath and strong teeth.
Mouthwash may not work alone if you are not following good oral hygiene. But, mouthwash can work like the cherry on top to ensure great dental health if you are regularly flossing, brushing, visiting your dentist regularly, and eating well.
- Visit Your Dentist
In case you experience pain in a tooth or the jaw, you should immediately schedule an appointment at the earliest. Your dentist can diagnose the issue and correct the problem before it transforms into a greater dental issue.
- Clean the Tongue
You should regularly clean your tongue surface. You should use a professional tongue cleaner for removing the countless bacteria that live on the top rougher surface of your tongue. Such bacteria contribute to bad breath and can negatively influence your dental health.