A general dentist is responsible for helping patients with overall oral health care needs, and they can provide insight into how to keep a healthy mouth. By understanding how to keep your mouth healthy, the need for expensive dental procedures can be avoided, and you can instead enjoy a healthy smile each and every day.
There are certain aspects of good oral hygiene that are encouraged by every general dentist, and practicing them on a regular basis can help you keep your mouth healthy. The following are six tips from a general dentist on how to keep a healthy mouth.
First and foremost, it is crucial to brush your teeth regularly when attempting to keep a healthy mouth. A consistent brushing schedule can help kill harmful bacteria that can exist inside the mouth and wash away sugar and other particles that can cause enamel erosion.
While it is encouraged to brush after each meal, simply brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is enough to keep your mouth healthy.
One of the most neglected aspects of good oral hygiene is using floss and mouthwash on a daily basis. Brushing works to kill and remove bacteria and food particles that accumulate inside the mouth, but there are certain areas of the mouth that cannot effectively be reached by brushing, such as in between teeth and in the very back of the mouth. Subsequently, flossing and using mouthwash at least once a day is needed to maintain oral health.
When harmful foods and drinks — particularly those high in carbohydrates — combine with bacteria inside the mouth, it creates an acid that can eat away at your dental enamel and gums, and lead to cavities and periodontal disease.
While a good oral care routine helps to reduce this effect, it is also important to limit the intake of harmful foods and drinks, as well.
Another useful tip a general dentist is likely to give their patients is to avoid tobacco use at all costs. Tobacco can increase the risk of oral cancer, gum disease and at the very least, it can cause teeth to stain quicker than they otherwise would. For those who are unable to stop tobacco altogether, be sure to practice good oral hygiene and visit the general dentist regularly.
Dry mouth is one of the leading causes of bad breath, and it is a problem that many suffer from each day. Saliva works to wash away harmful bacteria and food particles. A lack of saliva (otherwise known as dry mouth) can increase the risk of developing cavities, suffering from gum disease or simply having bad breath throughout the day. By simply drinking water throughout the day, dry mouth can be avoided.
Last but not least, be sure to visit your dentist regularly, which gives your dentist the ability to clean your teeth and ensure no oral health concerns are present. Ideally, you should strive to visit the dentist every four to six months if you have a healthy mouth, and perhaps more often if you are at higher risk of developing an oral health issue.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
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