You’ve heard this before, but proper dental hygiene will prevent the majority of dental problems for most people. Decay and periodontal diseases are infections caused by bacteria in plaque deposits. It is important to thoroughly remove plaque from all surfaces at least once a day. Brushing doesn’t reach germs that are between the teeth, so flossing is important. Once your teeth are clean, it takes about 24 hours for the bacteria to reach disease causing levels. Making brushing and flossing part of your daily routine, goes far in keeping your mouth healthy.
Professional cleaning on a regular basis is obviously important in the control of periodontal disease. A regular exam and x-rays are just as important. Oral diseases often have early symptoms. Periodontitis, gingivitis, decay, and oral cancer are much easier and less expensive to treat when caught early.
Make sure your family members wear mouth guards for sports and wear a night guard if you know you are clenching or scraping your teeth together (bruxism) during the night. Of course, it is also very important not to use teeth as tools–or ice crushers.
Smoking adversely affects your oral health in many ways. Most of us recognize that smoking leads to stained, yellow teeth, but there are greater, less obvious, dangers. Smokers are more likely to get oral cancer than those who do not smoke. Periodontal disease in smokers is more severe, progresses faster, and responds poorly to treatment. There is also a high risk for oral cancer and injured gums with the use of smokeless tobacco.
We update our patients’ history on every visit. While it may not seem important, your dentist must be aware of your health conditions and the medications you are taking to properly manage your treatment. Many medical conditions such as diabetes, affect your oral health both directly and indirectly.
We thank the MDA for their permission to include information from their articles on our website.