Dental Hygiene
Getting your teeth cleaned every six months is essential to maintaining good oral health. Dental hygiene — the practice of taking care of your mouth with regular at-home care and getting professional cleanings two times a year — can help prevent bacteria and plaque from building up and damaging your teeth.
A simple, daily oral hygiene routine can prevent most dental problems. When you combine that with professional care, you can prevent most of the common issues that lead to tooth decay, tooth loss and other oral health concerns. Here’s how tooth decay happens:
- Plaque — a sticky substance — builds up on teeth.
- If it’s not cleaned properly, plaque hardens into tartar.
- Tartar on your teeth creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow.
- Bacteria causes inflammation and gum disease, which gets worse over time.
Regular daily habits such as brushing and flossing can prevent plaque from building up. A cleaning and preventive checkup at your family dentist every six months will remove any tartar that has formed (since you cannot remove this with at-home dental care).
Many studies have also shown a link between your oral health and your overall health. Untreated gum disease (gingivitis) can make you more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease. If you already have these chronic health conditions, the inflammation caused by gum disease and gingivitis can make them worse.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
In order to maintain healthy teeth, healthy gums and a healthy mouth, it’s important to practice good dental hygiene, which includes:
- Brushing your teeth two times a day, for 2 minutes each time (usually in the morning when you wake up and before you go to bed)
- Flossing to clean between teeth at least once a day (before bed)
- Using products that contain fluoride, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, to strengthen your teeth
- Scheduling an appointment for a cleaning and dental exam every six months with your family dentist, even if you don’t have any other dental health issues
You may also want to talk to your dentist about whether you or your family could benefit from taking fluoride supplements or getting fluoride treatments. These help you build strong, healthy teeth and avoid common issues associated with fluoride deficiency. Fluoride is a mineral compound that helps your teeth rebuild as your tooth enamel wears down from the effects of acids, bacteria and plaque on your teeth.
Neglecting dental hygiene can result in tooth decay, periodontal disease, gum disease, infections, dry mouth and many other conditions. When it’s time for your regular checkup, come visit one of our five convenient Young Family Dental clinics in Orem, American Fork, Saratoga Springs, Riverton or West Jordan to get a cleaning. In the meantime, keep practicing good dental hygiene to protect your teeth and gums.
