Quality dental care is something we all want to get better at. However, quality dental care goes above flossing and brushing, and having healthy teeth goes above them not falling out left and right.
We put together a list of things everybody should know about quality dental care but sadly likely don’t. Prevent tooth problems and get on track with quality dental care with this useful list.
Things You Should Know About Quality Dental Care
You might just be surprised by how many of these facts you weren’t aware of about quality dental care
Your gums definitely shouldn’t be bleeding all the time.
Bleeding gums is a huge sign of gingivitis– a gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums.
If your gums are bleeding constantly, whether they are poked or left alone, you should visit your dentist as soon a possible. Early or mild gingivitis is completely curable and treatable.
Smoking is worse for your teeth than you think.
Even occasional smokers, or smokers that don’t smoke a pack a day, can fall victim to tooth problems that could impact them for the rest of their lives.
Nicotine and the tar found in cigarettes turns your teeth yellow over time– this is something just about everybody knows. Nicotine and tar can also eat up your gums, promotes bacteria and plaque buildup, and harms everything from tissue to teeth.
Oral cancer is very common in smokers, and smoking excessively can even cause teeth to fall out.
You can brush too hard (and you might not even realize it).
We get it. You’ve woken up late and you need to clean yourself up and get out of the door as quickly as possible.
But rushing through your morning tooth brushing and compensating by grinding into your teeth with your bristles can be detrimental to the health of your smile.
Brushing your teeth too hard can cause bleeding gums, gum receding, and loss of enamel.
Do your best to be mindful when brushing and take your time to get each nook and cranny of each tooth without scrubbing as hard as possible. The proper brushing time is two full minutes and adhering to that rule will benefit your oral health greatly.
Medicine can affect your teeth.
Have you ever started a new med and experienced dry mouth fairly quickly? This is a super common problem with many medications.
While dry mouth might seem like an innocent albeit annoying issue, it can actually be terrible for your oral health.
Dry mouth is the absence of saliva flow in the mouth. Saliva is a major factor in preventing tooth decay. Salivary flow helps wash away debris, food, and plaque that may be present in the mouth.
If you have dry mouth chronically, you may be more likely to get cavities. And nobody likes cavities.
To fight back against dry mouth, try drinking as much water as possible during the day. The recommended amount is eight glasses a day and most people don’t drink enough water.
Do your best to stay strict when it comes to water intake to give your dry mouth some relief while also cleaning out your mouth and nourishing your body. If your dry mouth is really extreme, talk to your doctor about switching to a different type of medication if possible.
Toothpaste allergies are a thing.
Who knew that such a common household product that everybody uses could actually have allergic properties? It’s true– some people are allergic to certain types of toothpaste and may have sensitivities to others.
How can you find out? Ask yourself if you tend to be prone to small sores or burns inside your mouth, particularly in the cheek membrane, that peel in little strips and sting. If you are, there is a good chance that you may be allergic to that toothpaste you’ve been using, especially if you’ve recently switched brands.
If you are allergic to your toothpaste, try out an organic or all natural toothpaste. You can find these online or in natural grocery stores.
Hormonal problems can negatively affect your gums.
This is especially true for women. Hormones affect virtually every system in our bodies and our mouths and teeth are no exception.
During many women’s menstrual cycles, bleeding gums can occur as a side effect of hormonal fluctuations. It’s not a super dangerous side effect by any means, but it may be even worse for women who are pregnant or over fifty.
If you’re a victim of chronic gum bleeding as a side effect of hormones (check with your dentist to be sure it isn’t a different cause) compensate by engaging in quality dental care.
Fruit juice and lemon water could be wreaking havoc on your smile.
This almost doesn’t make sense. How could something as healthy as fruit juice or water be bad for the mouth? Unfortunately, it’s true.
Tooth enamel can be worn down significantly by the acids in many juices, particularly citrus juices. But don’t worry! You don’t have to give up your morning smoothie or refreshing lemon water.
Just make sure to brush your teeth around thirty minutes after eating or drinking fruits. Brushing right away could dig the damaging acids into your tooth enamel; though going too long without brushing could allow the sugars in these foods to sink into your teeth, causing tooth decay.
Little changes make a big difference.
Do you tend to start flossing more regularly after a visit to your dentist, but eventually fall off the wagon? A quality certified dentist will recommend flossing once a day, preferably twice a day, because flossing can directly aid in preventing tooth decay.
Make small changes and work your way up. Did you floss today? If not, quit reading this and go floss right now!
Starting a new habit is always tough, but sticking to it will lead to a much healthier teeth, and help keep them that way, longer.