The primary goal of general dentists is to help their patients prevent oral health concerns from developing through consistent and quality daily oral care techniques. This review discusses several oral care practices that general dentists want their patients to do every day.
To reduce the risk of oral health concerns, general dentists recommend that patients brush several times each day, floss and use mouthwash regularly, prevent dry mouth, understand the correlation between dietary choices and oral health, and check for signs of complications. By implementing these oral care recommendations, you can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health concerns.
Brushing is one of the best defenses against dental cavities and gum disease. This is because brushing removes plaque that can accumulate on the surface of teeth and along the gumline, which left unremoved could lead to a breakdown of the dental enamel or the strength of the gums. Subsequently, it is encouraged to brush at least once in the morning and once at night.
Flossing is a great way to remove food particles and plaque that accumulate in hard-to-reach areas between teeth. It is best to floss after each meal and snack. However, individuals should ensure they floss at least once each day before they go to sleep.
Mouthwash kills bacteria inside the mouth. If not killed and removed, this bacteria could combine with food particles (e.g., sugar) and create an acidic reaction that damages teeth and gums. Most patients are encouraged to use mouthwash once a day. However, some patients may not need it as often, so talking to the general dentist about mouthwash use is encouraged.
Dry mouth can increase the risk of oral health concerns because the bacteria and food particles inside the mouth are not being washed away as often as they should be. Preventing dry mouth is relatively easy for most patients. Perhaps the best way to prevent dry mouth is to sip on water throughout the day.
Excessive consumption of sugar and other carbohydrates is known to increase the risk of oral health concerns such as cavities, gum disease, and oral infection. It is best to limit the consumption of sugar and other refined carbohydrates as much as possible. While having sugar once in a while is fine for most patients, understanding the impact certain dietary choices can have on your oral health can help you make more informed decisions to keep your oral health in ideal condition.
Call our general dentist or send us a message to schedule your next check-up and dental cleaning visit. We take pride in helping our patients maintain a clean and healthy smile that looks great all of the time through preventive measures and routine check-up visits and cleanings.
Request an appointment here: https://www.carmelsmilesdentist.com or call Smiles in the Village Dentistry at (317) 575-6101 for an appointment in our Carmel office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Carmel, IN.
Visiting a general dentist on a routine basis is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your oral and overall health. Routine dental visits allow your dentist to identify and treat any oral health issues before they become more intense and expensive problems in the future. This blog will explore the…
Even though dentistry consists of many different services, you might be surprised to learn that many of them are performed by a general dentist. While certain specialists handle certain procedures, a regular dentist takes care of many of the more common or popular services.We have put together our list of the top 5 services offered…
With all the different specialties in dentistry, it is hard to know what is handled by your general dentist and what is handled by a specialist. This makes it more difficult than it should be to figure out who to consult when you have a problem or potential issue with your oral health. To help…
Finding the right dentist for your oral health needs can be difficult. Many questions may come to mind, such as whether a general dentist or a family dentist is the right choice. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between general and family dentists, helping to give you a better understanding of when to…
A chipped tooth may seem like a minor issue, but it can lead to several complications if left untreated. By taking immediate action, you can prevent pain, preserve tooth structure, and reduce the risk of further damage. A general dentist can evaluate the extent of the chip and help restore the tooth to maintain a…
An experienced cosmetic dentist can brighten and whiten your teeth again. Lifestyle and diet choices can contribute to dental staining. In some cases, medications cause teeth to discolor. Bringing the sparkle back to them is important for your self-esteem. Here are the teeth whitening options that you can get from your cosmetic dentist.Over-the-counter teeth whitening…