Ways to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the practice of taking care of your teeth and gums to keep them healthy. Good oral hygiene helps to prevent dental problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, as well as more serious health problems, such as heart disease. Here are some ways to maintain good oral hygiene: BRUSHING YOUR TEETH REGULARLY In addition to scheduling regular dental checkups, practicing good oral hygiene is vital to a healthy smile. Bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s necessary to remove food particles and plaque from the teeth by brushing them two or three times a day for two minutes each session. Using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste will help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities, as well as whiten the teeth and keep them their pearly whitest. It’s also important to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed to ensure optimal cleaning. Keep in mind that electric toothbrushes are superior to manual toothbrushes because they require less effort to clean teeth and remove more plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line. FLOSSING DAILY Brushing and flossing are both very crucial when it comes to maintaining good oral health. However, brushing alone is not enough to remove all the food particles from between teeth. This is where flossing comes in. Flossing daily offers extra protection against plaque buildup and tooth decay. Ask your dentist about proper flossing technique the next time you visit! RINSING WITH AN ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH Brushing and flossing alone are not enough to fully clean your mouth and teeth of plaque, tartar, and other debris. Using an antibacterial mouthwash will help to minimize these deposits, as well as preventing oral diseases such as cavities and gum disease. It is important to follow the instructions on the bottle, as using too much or too little can lead to problems of its own. Your dentist can recommend the best mouthwash for you! CHOOSING TOOTHPASTE When shopping for toothpaste, you’ll want a formula that fights plaque and cavities while freshening your breath at the same time. This can be accomplished with fluoride-containing formulas that will strengthen your enamel and reduce tooth decay. Using products that contain triclosan can help kill bacteria that can lead to bad breath. We would be happy to provide you with professional recommendations based on your unique oral needs and preferences. AVOIDING TOBACCO The risk of developing oral cancer increases dramatically with tobacco use. Using tobacco products greatly increases your risk for oral and throat cancers as well as gum diseases. This can result in tooth loss and other serious health issues such as stroke or heart disease. These risks apply to all tobacco users, from occasional smokers to heavy daily users. MAINTAINING REGULAR DENTAL VISITS Regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings are the best way to ensure your dental health is not deteriorating over time. These appointments allow your dentist to thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of trouble, as well as clean away plaque and tartar buildup from places your toothbrush can’t reach.  Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential to maintaining overall health and quality of life. Visit Dental 2000 33 Creek Rd #210-B, Irvine, CA 92604, or call (949) 857-6757 to book an appointment.

Foods That Can Harm Your Oral Health

Do you often find yourself consuming sugary foods or drinking sugary drinks? Are you worried if these foods are bad for your oral and dental health? If yes, read on to know how these foods negatively affect your dental health. Sugary Foods Any food high in sugar is unhealthy for your teeth. Sugar feeds oral bacteria, causing tooth decay and cavities. Sticky candies like caramel stick to the teeth, lingering in the mouth for a long time. This means that your saliva cannot wash the sugar away, so it sits on your teeth, damaging enamel. Avoiding sticky treats reduces your risk of tooth decay. Hard Candy Hard candies are one of the worst treats for your oral health. Sugar from the candy will stick to your teeth, encouraging bacteria growth and causing the enamel to wear away faster. The sugar also clings to the bacteria that already live in your mouth and causes them to multiply more quickly. Eating these types of candy can cause you to get cavities in a shorter amount of time. Cavities require treatment from your dentist that can be painful and expensive. Some types of hard candy even contain acids that can cause damage to your teeth. Acidic foods wear away the enamel on your teeth faster than other foods. This puts you at a greater risk of tooth decay, cavities, and even sensitivity issues with the teeth. If you do eat hard candy, make sure to brush and floss your teeth immediately afterward to remove as much residue as possible. Soft Drinks Sugary beverages are some of the worst for oral health for a number of reasons. To start, they include a lot of sugar in them. This is one of the reasons why they are so sweet and enjoyable to drink. However, that sugar feeds oral bacteria in the mouth. As a result, these bacteria produce acid. This acid wears down tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Additionally, the acids in soft drinks damage gum tissue and cause gum disease to develop. To avoid these problems, you should limit your intake of sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Coffee/Tea The acid in coffee can also wear down your enamel over time. If you drink a lot of coffee or tea daily, make sure you also consume plenty of water to wash away the acidity and wash it away from your teeth. You can also rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking coffee or drinking tea to help wash away any of the acids that remain in your mouth. Wine Alcohol can cause dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. It can also wear down your enamel. Red wine specifically can cause stains on your teeth, which is the last thing you need if you’re wearing braces or undergoing teeth whitening treatments. If you do drink red wine, be sure to brush your teeth soon after to avoid staining. You can also drink water after consuming any alcoholic beverage to rinse your mouth out and stay hydrated. If you want to sip on some wine during a special occasion, consider drinking it through a straw. This will reduce the amount that hits your teeth. Sports Drinks Many sports drinks claim to help athletes perform better during workouts or sporting events. However, these drinks are also filled with sugars and other additives that can damage teeth. The acid in these beverages can cause tooth enamel to wear away over time. Additionally, consuming too much refined sugar can directly damage teeth. If you are an athlete who chooses a sports drink over water before an event, rinse your mouth with water after drinking to reduce any damage it may cause to your teeth. To maintain a healthy smile, avoid eating these types of foods and beverages wherever possible.  Dried Fruits The chewy texture and sweet taste of dried fruits are appealing treats that are easy to pack in a lunch or keep in your desk drawer at work for a quick afternoon snack. Unfortunately, the sticky consistency of dried fruit means that it sticks to your teeth long after consumption; this doesn’t just make your mouth feel gross but also contributes to tooth decay. Additionally, many dried fruits contain added sugars and preservatives that make them harmful to your overall health. If you do enjoy the taste of dried fruit, look for options that are unsweetened.  Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential to maintaining overall health and quality of life. Visit Dental 2000 33 Creek Rd #210-B, Irvine, CA 92604, or call (949) 857-6757 to book an appointment.

How Does Stress Affect Oral Health?

The general definition of stress is the feeling of being under too much emotional or mental pressure. This feeling can be caused by many things, including family issues, financial concerns, and work deadlines. However, it is safe to say that most people experience stress at some point in their lives. HOW STRESS AFFECTS ORAL HYGIENE HABITS We all know that stress is bad for our bodies. When we’re stressed, we tend to make poor food choices, exercise less, and neglect our health in other ways as well. The same holds true for dental care. When you’re under stress, it’s harder to make healthy choices and stick to a routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and regular professional cleanings. This increases the risk of tooth decay and other serious oral health issues. Stress also diminishes the saliva in your mouth, which is responsible for washing away harmful bacteria and keeping your breath fresh and clean. Saliva also neutralizes acids to help prevent tooth erosion. Without enough of this beneficial substance, you may develop cavities or suffer from bad breath. One way to prevent stress and anxiety is to make sure you’re keeping up with your oral care routine each day. Avoid sugary foods and drinks that can increase your risk of tooth decay and keep your teeth strong. When you do have the occasional sweet treat, make sure to brush as soon as possible to wash away the sugars and bacteria that can lead to cavities. Also, be sure to floss every day to keep your gums healthy and free of gum disease. If you experience a lot of stress during the workday, try to take a few minutes each hour to get up from your desk and move around. Get a drink of water, do some stretches, or chew some sugarless gum or hard candy to stimulate the production of saliva. All of these things can help keep you calm throughout the day while also protecting your oral health. Another way that stress can affect your dental health is through bruxism. This is when you unconsciously clench or grind your teeth together when you’re feeling anxious or tense. This can eventually wear down your teeth and lead to sensitivity and pain in your jaw. It can also damage fillings and crowns. If you’re experiencing any pain or sensitivity, make sure to see your dentist. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential to maintaining overall health and quality of life. Visit Dental 2000 33 Creek Rd #210-B, Irvine, CA 92604, or call (949) 857-6757 to book an appointment.

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