Great Tips For Preventing Oral Problems
TruDentistry of Tigard, a dentist in Tigard Oregon says “Preventing oral problems and maintaining good dental health means taking care of your teeth with a good deal of care. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, developing a good rapport with a dental professional is of the utmost importance.”
Have You had a Prior Bad Dental Experience?
Sometimes people neglect the care of their teeth because they had a previously bad dental experience. If this describes you, you need to understand the triggers of your fear. Maybe the other dentist was not careful when he or she performed an exam or was not gentle when giving shots. Many people do not like the drills and needles that are used in a dental office. However, today’s technologies make dental careless of a concern. People can enjoy dental services that are painless and conducive to wellness and health.
Before you contact a dentist in Tigard Oregon, you need to find out more about the services offered by the dental practice. Make sure that the staff understands any fears and concerns. A dental team that educates patients well will listen to your concerns and make sure that you are treated empathetically and will strive to ease your fears.
See a Dentist Twice Yearly
Preventing oral problems entails seeing your Tigard dentist at least twice a year. Some dental patients only need to have exams and cleaning done once per year. However, these kinds of visits are rare. For most people, it is better to see a dentist at least every six months.
By having cleanings and exams conducted on a twice-yearly basis, we can catch any dental problems before they become major issues. You can liken this activity to having your car checked or the plumbing in your home inspected. When you have regular checks made, you do not have to experience greater repairs. Make it a point to see your Tigard dentist regularly so you can repair a cavity instead of schedule a root canal or similar therapy.
To prevent oral problems at home, you need to brush and floss each day. Try to floss once a day and brush your teeth after meals or snacks. Doing so will prevent decay and keep your teeth white and gums clear of disease. People who do not regularly floss and brush can end up having their gums scaled, which is not exactly a pleasant dental experience. It does not take much time to brush and floss your teeth and making a small effort will help you avoid more serious problems.
Eat the Right Foods and Make Substitutes
You also want to eat right so your Tigard dentist appointments remain positive. Try to stay clear of processed foods or foods that contain refined sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, try to make healthier substitutes.
For instance, instead of eating a doughnut or cookie, enjoy yogurt with fruit. You should also avoid drinking beverages that contain sugar. When you drink a sugary drink, the sugar coats your teeth, which can more easily lead to decay. Always rinse your mouth if you must drink a beverage that contains sugar, such as cola or latte.
Eating healthy, crunchy foods often will prevent oral health problems. For example, certain foods are considered “detergent” foods as they clean the teeth while eating. Foods such as celery or carrots fall under this category. If you want to clean your teeth and support your gums, these are the foods to eat.
Do You Play Soccer?
You also need to wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports such as soccer. Doing so will prevent an unwanted injury. Just check with a dentist in Tigard Oregon about your options.
Always Brush Your Teeth Before Bed
A lot of people in today’s busy world are very tired at the end of the day. But this should never be an excuse for not brushing your teeth before bed. Brushing teeth is important for reasons beyond fresh breath. Skip a session, and you’re on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of a plaque, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Brushing, thankfully, disrupts bacteria so it doesn’t stay in place. If the bacteria are allowed to stay in place, they will start to attack your teeth. The longer plaque sets in the more vulnerable your teeth become. The hard, yellow, rough material you sometimes feel in between your teeth can cause inflammation and bleeding in the gums. If left untreated for too long, you could be headed for tooth loss.
Oil Pulling
Some people recommend oil pulling for the teeth. While this method should not take the place of flossing and brushing, you can use it as an adjunct treatment.
Oil pulling involves swishing an oil, such as coconut oil, in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Doing so is said to remove plaque and harmful bacteria. Just make sure that you spit out the oil and never swallow it. That’s because the bacteria that is collected can make you sick. Brush and floss afterward if you choose to follow this practice.
Sugarless Gum
Another method to prevent oral health complaints is to chew sugarless gum after a meal. If you do not have access to a toothbrush, chewing sugarless gum will clean the teeth and prevent the buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a substance that hardens to tartar if it is not removed. It triggers the formation of cavities and other dental anomalies. That is why chewing gum after a meal is important if you cannot brush your teeth.
Try an Electric Toothbrush
You might also consider using an electric toothbrush to thoroughly clean your teeth. While there is nothing wrong with using a manual brush, some of the electrical brushes rotate, which permits better tooth cleaning and gum care. If you want to make the most of your smile and ensure its health, you may want to investigate the electric toothbrushes that are on the market. In our Tigard dental office, we recommend the Sonicare brand.
Salt Water Rinse
Oral problems can also result if you do not use a saltwater rinse. Sometimes a gentle salt water rinse will get rid of any sign of infection. The salty water can also ease sore throat pain. Often, when an infection develops, it may be due to a problem with your sinuses. In fact, some dental patients mistake a sinus infection for tooth sensitivity. A saltwater rinse can clear up any dental or sinus-related problems.
Rinse with Fluoride
If you schedule regular dental visits and take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing them each day, you will find that you will maintain a healthy and natural smile. Just make sure if you use a dental rinse that it is free of alcohol. Dental professionals have found that alcohol can increase the bacteria in your mouth and make dental conditions worse. Therefore, use a fluoride rinse that is ADA-recommended.
By following the above suggestions, you will have plenty of reasons to smile, especially if you are seeking an appointment with a dentist in Tigard Oregon.
How Your Physical and Oral Health Connect
If you want to stay healthier overall, you need to take good care of your teeth and gums. The cavities and infections that result from a lack of dental care can trigger a number of unwanted health conditions. Gum infections can lead to health complaints such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
That is why taking care of your teeth is basic to good health. When you regularly brush, floss, and visit your dentist in Tigard OR, you will feel more confident overall. We can detail a plan of dental care that will keep you in tip-top shape throughout your life.
Why Good Dental Practices Enhance Your Well-Being
Even if a gum infection does not lead to a serious health problem, it can still cause social and professional difficulties. When you have poor relationships professionally and personally, it can also negatively affect your well-being. To make the most of your appearance and health, it pays — literally — to take care of your gums and teeth. By scheduling an appointment at our dental office in Tigard, you can make a change in your life that will enhance both your physical and mental health.
Reviewing the Health Risks
Traditionally, dentists have emphasized the care of the gums and teeth aside from other health programs. However, dentists and medical practitioners have taken another perspective that looks at the disease-dental connection. This perspective breaks down health risks as follows:
- Poor dental health can trigger certain chronic conditions.
- One risk factor, such as infected gums, can impact other conditions.
- Some risk factors increase when dental hygiene is lacking.
- Some risk factors interact with each other.
Poor Habits Increase Health Risks
When you consider that oral disease is a common and chronic disease, the above list should not be ignored. Some of the risk factors associated with poor dental and physical health include the following:
- Eating a diet of processed or sugary foods
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Chewing or smoking tobacco
- Practicing poor dental hygiene
- Suffering an injury
- Poorly managing stress
When an individual avoids visiting our Tigard dental office and avoids eating healthy foods, they increase the risk of developing dental issues, heart disease, suffering a stroke, developing cancer, and acquiring diabetes.
Do You Smoke and Drink to Excess?
Maybe you are someone who likes to smoke. If so, you increase your risk of getting gum disease, suffering heart disease, or developing a similar respiratory or circulatory illness. Too much alcohol also leads to an increased chance of cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, and cancer.
When people do not make regular visits to our dental office in Tigard or practice good oral hygiene, they increase their risk of suffering from various inflammatory conditions such as periodontal disease and some studies have even included arthritis.
Gingivitis and Heart Disease Are Not Exclusive
If you are someone who often feels stressed or avoids visiting our Tigard dental office, you may also develop gingivitis and possibly heart disease. Recent studies indicate you can suffer in more ways than one if you do not make it a habit to visit our dental office in Tigard and practice preventative maintenance.
One of the best ways to ensure better health is with your diet. Doing so will help you maintain better nutritional health and prevent certain deficiency diseases. These diseases can include anemia or osteoporosis. If you overeat, you can develop conditions such as diabetes and heart disease as well. An excess of refined and processed foods can lead to a series of dental woes.
That is why it is necessary to see how nutrition and regular dental care play roles in your overall health. You should do all you can to maintain a regular schedule of dental hygiene that encompasses home care and regular dental visits.
Stay on Top of Your Dental Health
Make sure that you plan a time to take care of your dental needs in the morning and evening. If you do not have access to a toothbrush, chew sugarless gum to keep your teeth clean and mouth refreshed.
Your mouth reveals plenty about your overall health. Just a quick swab of saliva can tell a medical professional a good deal about your overall physical health. In fact, your mouth is a kind of window that helps doctors diagnose symptoms of a systemic disease or a condition that affects the whole body.
Systemic conditions include diseases such as diabetes. Saliva testing can also reveal environmental toxins or the use of alcohol or drugs. That is because the saliva is the first line of defense in the mouth against disease-causing organisms including viruses and bacteria. Saliva contains antibodies that fight viral pathogens, such as those associated with the common cold. It also holds proteins, which are called histatins, that inhibit the growth of fungi such as Candida albicans.
Developing Plaque and Other Health Problems
While your saliva works to fight against unwanted bacteria, it isn’t infallible. Because the mouth contains over 500 species of bacteria, some of the bacteria eventually turn into plaque, a colorless and sticky film that adheres to the teeth and sparks health conditions and complaints.
If you do not visit our dental office in Tigard or floss and brush regularly, the plaque accumulates along the gum line and also builds up between the gums and teeth. When this happens, gingivitis can develop. If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to a gum infection called periodontitis. When this infection progresses, it is known as trench mouth in its advanced state.
Prevent Infections by Practicing Good Dental Habits
A long-term gum infection can lead to tooth loss as well as the following conditions:
- Diabetes is difficult to control. An infection can cause insulin resistance and disrupt a patient’s blood sugar management practices.
- Cardiovascular disease. Recent studies indicate that gingivitis may lead to clogged arteries as well as clotting. Inflammation in the mouth can cause inflammation in other places, including the circulatory system. One study revealed that almost 50% of the participants who had heart disease suffered from gingivitis as well. Some question these studies, but way take that chance.
If you are not taking the best care of your teeth and gums, you need to reconsider your lack of concern. By adhering to a schedule of good dental care, you will showcase a beautiful smile and prevent other health conditions from developing.
We welcome new patients, so if you are new to the area or just looking for a new dentist in Tigard Oregon, please consider giving us a call.