Our teeth are not exempt from the realities of aging. In fact, as we age our teeth become worn and dull. The best way to limit the dull look is to take control and develop a consistent oral hygiene regimen. Brushing your teeth regularly with a quality, soft-bristle toothbrush and using dental floss will go a long way towards ensuring a healthy and clean mouth.
Over time and through use, the protective enamel or outer coating of our teeth becomes worn. Unfortunately, this wearing away of the enamel also creates small ridges where food and beverages can cause decay and discolor our teeth. You can decrease your chances of having tooth decay by cleaning your teeth on a regular basis. Chronic gingivitis (bleeding gum disease) will heal as long as you are able to keep plaque under control. The buildup and retention of plaque can be much more of a challenge for some people.
Your diet is one of the numerous contributing factors to plaque. Eating and drinking items that are high in sugar content can have an impact on oral hygiene. Good oral care requires a proper brushing of your teeth at least twice and preferably three times a day. Dental care professionals recommend brushing after every meal or snack.
It’s also important to remember to brush properly in order to remove plaque. The elderly and children often need to use utensils other than a simple toothbrush to do this. While plaque cannot be “prevented” necessarily, it can be controlled by simply brushing correctly and brushing often. Those who struggle with plaque build-up may find that a sonic toothbrush or Waterpik may help. While these type of instruments are effective at controlling plaque, they are typically quite a bit more expensive than a regular toothbrush.
There are a variety of home oral care tools from which to choose. Individuals with hand eye coordination difficulties may benefit from a simple electric toothbrush. These are also great for older folks who might have problems with holding their hand up to use a regular toothbrush. Children are another group for which an electric toothbrush might boost the job of oral hygiene while also saving time. Remember that there are a variety of tools that are used to clean hard to reach areas. Dental floss comes in a variety of types such as waxed, non-waxed, flat, round and textured, with baking soda, with fluoride and flavored. There are also dental floss holders. These items can be found at drug stores, grocery stores or through medical supply stores.
There are many benefits to brushing and flossing your teeth. First and foremost, you can help prevent tooth decay by this practice. Brushing and flossing also prevent gum disease, which is a primary agent in decaying and lost teeth. Cleaning your teeth is not only a practice for the dental office, but more importantly also in your home. Good oral care helps contribute to your overall health and makes those occasional cleanings in your dental office go a lot smoother!
If you are experiencing tooth pain, bleeding gums or have concerns about your oral health, contact us at Commonwealth Dental Clinic conveniently located in downtown Roanoke, VA. We are accepting new patients (adult & children) Monday through Saturday and specialize in Medicaid and Self-Pay dental services including exams, extractions and x-rays. We can be reached at (540) 685-0028 or you can find us on the web at www.commonwealthdentalclinic.com