Dental care is a key part of maintaining general health and wellbeing. It enables us to smile, eat and speak freely and helps improve our ability to socialise.
It also reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, cancer and stroke. It can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss.
Brushing
Brushing is essential to your dental health and can help you prevent gum disease, which can result in tooth loss. Brushing twice daily helps remove plaque, the buildup of bacteria on your teeth and in between your teeth. It can also clean out food particles that may be stuck between your teeth and irritate the gums. Flossing is also a great way to clean your teeth and gums and can help keep them healthy.
Flossing is the process of using a thin piece of floss to remove food and plaque between the teeth and between your gums. Floss can be made from different materials, including silk, nylon or Teflon. It can come in string or ribbon form, and is available in different sizes to fit the needs of each individual.
Your dentist or hygienist can teach you how to floss properly. They can also show you how to use a fluoride toothpaste and other oral care products. You can also talk to your health care team if you find it hard to floss or if you feel pain or bleeding while flossing.
Children should start flossing when they have 2 teeth that touch, which is usually around age 2. Flossing can be done by yourself or with the help of adults. Always follow your dentist’s or hygienist’s instructions when it comes to flossing. Flossing can be especially helpful if you have braces or other orthodontic appliances, as it can help to maintain the integrity of your braces.
You can floss with a regular floss or with dental floss designed specifically for use with braces. Flossing is important to your overall dental health and can prevent tooth loss, plaque buildup and gingivitis.
The best thing about floss is that it doesn’t cost a lot. You can pick up a pack of floss for as little as $1. This is much more affordable than buying floss by the roll, which can cost up to $5.
Flossing can be a bit tricky for kids, so be sure to talk to your child’s dentist or hygienist about how to do it correctly. Your doctor can give you a few tips, like bending the floss around your teeth so it’s more likely to get between them and then gently moving it up and down on both sides of each tooth. They can also recommend a specific type of floss that works best for your child’s mouth.
Flossing
Flossing is a way to clean out food particles, bacteria and plaque that can build up between your teeth. These spaces are hard to reach with your toothbrush and are where most of the harmful microbes that cause tooth decay and gum disease live.
Keeping your mouth clean and fresh helps make you feel confident when you talk to people, but it also has an effect on your overall health. Oral health is linked to other parts of your body, such as your heart and digestive system. Flossing is an important step in your oral care routine that can help keep you healthy and happy all day long.
In addition to flossing, you should brush your teeth twice a day and rinse with mouthwash before bed. Your dentist may recommend that you also use dental floss before brushing, so make sure to include it in your daily oral hygiene regimen.
To floss, cut a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long and tie it securely in a loop. Place all your fingers except for the thumb within the loop and work the floss around your teeth with a gentle up-and-down motion using a zig-zag pattern.
Start at the back of the lowest front tooth, then use your thumbs to guide the floss under the upper and lower front teeth and up the sides. Then go below the gum line, bending the floss to form a ‘C’ shape on each side of the tooth. Repeat this process on all the teeth.
You can choose from two types of floss: waxed and unwaxed. The type you prefer depends on your preferences and the specific needs of your mouth. Waxed floss can be easier to get in tight spots, while unwaxed can be more effective at removing debris from deep pockets between your teeth.
Once you have gotten the hang of it, flossing will be easier and less time-consuming. In fact, you can often complete a full flossing session in about five minutes or less.
Most importantly, flossing can be a great way to prevent cavities and other serious oral health problems. Even a little bit of food stuck between your teeth can trigger cavity-causing bacteria that can destroy your smile. Plus, consistent flossing can help prevent other health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to maintain good dental health. A balanced diet, along with brushing and flossing, can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and free of decay and other issues.
The key to eating a healthy diet is to choose foods that are high in nutrients and low in sugar. This includes fruits and vegetables, fish, lean protein, dairy products, and whole grains.
Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, which helps stimulate saliva production to wash away harmful acids and food particles that can linger on your teeth. They also contain many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin C, which can help protect your gums and other oral tissues from cell damage.
You can easily add plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable to your daily diet, so make sure to include them in all meals and snacks. Try adding a handful of raw carrots, celery or apples to your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Vegetables are also a good source of calcium, which is essential for strong tooth enamel. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, and chard are all great choices for your diet, as they are full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories.
Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk are also good options for your diet, as they are high in calcium and protein. You can also find calcium- and protein-fortified nut milks like almond, soy or cashew.
Snacks between meals should be nutrient dense, such as meats, cheese, plain nuts, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, unsweetened breads or cereals, or popcorn. Beware of snacks that are high in sugar, such as crackers and candy, which can lead to bad breath, plaque buildup, and tooth decay.
If you’re unable to avoid these foods, be sure to limit them to small portions and snack less often. The longer you eat these foods, the more likely they are to promote decay-causing acid in your mouth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cutting back on sugary, processed foods such as soda and other carbonated beverages, as well as sweetened teas, coffees, sports drinks and fruit juices. You can also try reducing the amount of sugar in your diet by replacing high-calorie sugar with alternatives, such as natural fruit juices, honey or xylitol.
Regular Checkups
Regular checkups are an essential part of Dental Care In Hill City SD. While they don’t sound fun, they can save you time and money in the long run by preventing serious oral health issues from developing.
It’s no secret that regular brushing and flossing can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, but they don’t do much to keep plaque and tartar away. It’s important to get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, and a checkup provides an excellent opportunity for this.
Another benefit of routine dental checkups is the fact that your dentist can spot potential problems before they start. Gum diseases, oral cancer, and other conditions can be difficult to detect on your own, but a dental professional has the tools and experience necessary to spot these issues before they become more severe or even life-threatening.
By catching these problems before they begin, your dentist can recommend the best course of action to treat them and prevent future problems. These treatments may be a simple as cleanings or more complicated procedures like root canals, tooth extractions and crowns.
X-Rays are also taken at these appointments, which allow your dentist to see hidden areas that may be difficult to detect with the naked eye. These X-rays can reveal cavities between teeth, impacted teeth and jawbone deterioration, among other potential problems.
Oral cancer is a common oral disease that is often not diagnosed and treated until it’s too late, which is why a thorough oral cancer screening is an integral component of your checkup. Your dentist will be able to perform this exam with a VELscope, which identifies tumors and other abnormalities in your mouth.
These exams are non-invasive and painless, and can be covered by MSP if you have insurance. They only take a few minutes and can help you catch oral cancer in its early stages, which will increase the chances of treatment.
In addition, regular checkups are an ideal opportunity to discuss cosmetic dentistry options with your dentist. Whether you’re looking for Invisalign, professional teeth whitening or other services, your dentist can provide recommendations based on your goals and needs.
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