- Oral Hygiene
Oral Hygiene Care
Good oral hygiene is a fancy way of saying you need to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Everyone wants a clean, bright smile. But healthy teeth do more than just help you look good — they actually make it possible to eat and speak properly.
Oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, which includes proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they start.Between Dentist Visits
We like seeing our patients on a regular basis. But once or twice a year is not enough to properly care for your teeth! Your teeth need daily attention at home.
A few simple daily dental habits will greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems, and make your next dentist visit that much more quick and pleasant!Your Dental To-Do List:
- Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss daily
- Eat healthy, balanced meals and limit snacking between meals
- Use dental products containing fluoride (like toothpaste!)
- Rinse after brushing with a flouride mouth rinse
- Children under 12 should drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams
- Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months How to know if you have good oral hygiene:
- Teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and don’t hurt or bleed when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath isn’t a constant problem
- Halitosis
Halitosis
This is a polite word for “bad breath.”
Although Listerine is often credited with creating the term halitosis, it actually dates back to the 1870s. The word combines the Latin halitus (meaning “breath”) with the Greek suffix osis (describing a medical condition). Records mentioning bad breath date all the way back to 1550 B.C.Something is Living in Your Mouth
Depending on the cause, bad breath can be either an occasional or persistent condition. Bacteria is the most common cause, since the mouth’s moist, warm environment offers perfect living conditions for bacteria to thrive. About 80% of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.
Some types of bad breath, like “morning breath,” are fairly normal and not a cause for concern. However, persistent bad breath may be a sign of serious problems with the gums and teeth.What Causes Bad Breath?
- Poor dental hygiene, which can leave food particles to decay in the mouth.
- Infections in the mouth, such as periodontal (gum) disease.
- Respiratory-tract infections, such as throat infections, sinus infections, lung infections.
- External agents — foods such as garlic, onions, and coffee, plus cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Dry mouth – caused by salivary gland problems or by breathing through the mouth
- Systemic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
Do you suffer from bad breath with painful, swollen gums that bleed easily or loose teeth? If so, call our office promptly!
We will conduct an examination to determine the cause. If we discover systemic problems, we may refer you to your family physician. In severe cases of gum disease, we may recommend a specialized periodontist.
