To keep your mouth clean and your teeth intact and in perfect shape, it’s essential to maintain healthy gums and teeth. Luckily, you can do that with good oral hygiene. And with the help of Dr. Nylander, you can ensure that your teeth remain strong and clean at Allen Dentistry. As October is National Dental Hygiene Month, we want to emphasize the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene.
According to studies, untreated dental decay affects 19% of older people, while periodontal (gum) disease affects 60% of seniors. Additionally, due to gum disease or dental decay, 1 in 3 seniors and nearly 1 in 5 older adults have lost six or more teeth. For this reason, it’s crucial to practice good oral hygiene.
Brushing
Everyone has heard that the best oral hygiene requires brushing twice daily for two minutes each time. Even though most individuals know they should brush their teeth at least twice a day, using the proper method is as crucial for optimal oral health.
Use gentle, back-and-forth strokes to clean each tooth while holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Each tooth’s exterior, interior, and chewing surfaces should be cleaned when brushing. Use up-and-down strokes to make cleaning the inside surface of your front teeth simpler when you rotate the brush to a vertical position. And the most often overlooked area to clean is the tongue. It can help keep your breath fresh and remove any food particles that may still be present.
Flossing
Flossing ought to be done at least once every day. It enables you to remove food debris or plaque between your teeth and clean dental surfaces your brush can’t reach. It would be best if you gently curved the floss around each tooth’s side as you floss, making at least one up-and-down pass with the floss curled to the right and another with the floss curved to the left. Move the floss a little below the gum line, but be careful not to press too hard or go too far, or you risk damaging the tissue.
You can feel a little discomfort and possibly start bleeding if it has been a while since you flossed. You may have periodontal disease if this persists throughout several flossing sessions. Contact us immediately to set up a dental appointment if the bleeding persists. Even while we cannot cure gum disease, we can manage it.
Dental Hygiene and Oral Checkups
Spotting problems early on is crucial for providing effective oral health treatment. That is why it is vital to come for a routine checkup. When you visit our office for a dental exam, we will clean your teeth and gum line and eliminate any hardened plaque. We assess your bite, look for gum swelling or redness and bleeding, check your teeth for any signs of trouble, such as cavities, loose or broken teeth, damaged fillings, and assess your risk of developing severe diseases.
The best way to maintain a healthy mouth is to practice good oral hygiene at home. Still, gentle, professional cleanings are also essential to keeping your overall oral health and avoiding cavities, gum disease, and other problems. You can benefit from dental cleanings by having your hygienist thoroughly clean your teeth, having plaque and tartar removed, and strengthening your enamel.
Celebrate Dental Hygiene Month with Allen Dentistry
At Allen Dentistry, we only utilize the best tools and equipment to care for your teeth because we genuinely care about your oral health and well-being. Make an appointment for your next routine checkup to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month in Texas. Your teeth deserve to be taken care of, so call today to ensure that your oral health is on the right track!
