Excellent oral health goes way beyond just having pearly white teeth. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers may need to learn more about keeping their mouths in tip-top shape. Here are ten things that our Nevada Dentistry & Braces team wants you to understand about your teeth.
- Preventative dental care is about more than just cleaning teeth.
- There’s a right and wrong way to use toothpaste.
- Your dentist can tell if you’ve not been flossing regularly.
- Daily medications can affect oral health.
- Bad teeth are bad for your heart.
- It’s best not to brush immediately after a meal.
- Sharing a toothbrush is always a bad idea.
- Parents’ habits can affect their children’s dental health.
- Even babies need to see a dentist.
- A good dentist won’t shame you or blame you.
1. Preventative Dental Care Is About More Than Just Cleaning Teeth.
Going to the dentist is no longer just about getting your teeth cleaned and cavities filled. One essential service they provide is diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, a jaw joint condition that causes pain, limited movement, and even hearing problems. Oral cancer screenings are also becoming routine at the dentist’s office—dentists use special visual inspection techniques to check for oral cancerous growth.
Good dental care means making regular visits to the dentist not only for your teeth but also for your overall health!
2. There’s A Right & Wrong Way To Use Toothpaste.
Many people need to correct how much toothpaste they put on their brushes. You’d be surprised how far a little dab will go—the recommended amount is just a pea-sized squeeze! Using too much toothpaste can cause the paste to foam up, reducing the impact of fluoride.
Also, it’s best to spit after brushing, but don’t rinse immediately. Waiting half an hour to rinse or drink after brushing gives the toothpaste and fluoride more time to do their job.
3. Your Dentist Can Tell If You Haven’t Been Flossing Regularly.
You can’t pull one over on your dental team by not flossing for months and starting back up before your next appointment. Your dentist can tell if you haven’t been flossing regularly! The amount of plaque buildup and bacteria lurking in your mouth is a big clue, as is your overall gum health. Flossing may be a chore, but it’s worth the effort to help keep your mouth healthy and cavity-free.
4. Daily Medications Can Affect Oral Health.
Your dentist isn’t being nosy or intrusive when asking about your current medication. Many meds can mess with your mouth. Some, such as blood pressure or anti-anxiety medications, can cause dry mouth, gum issues, or plaque buildup. These factors allow bacteria to linger in your mouth and increase the risk of cavities, gum diseases, and discolored teeth.
So closely monitor how your meds affect your mouth, and let your dentist know about any changes you see.
5. Bad Teeth Are Bad For Your Heart.
Studies have shown that poor dental hygiene can affect your heart health. Bacteria from gingivitis may cause inflammation in your arterial walls, leading to blockages and increased risk for stroke and heart attack.
If you want to keep your heart healthy and at risk of these diseases, it’s not only important to eat well and exercise—taking care of your teeth is also part of the equation.
6. It’s Best To Not To Brush Immediately After A Meal.
After a yummy meal or dessert, grabbing the toothbrush and getting to work can be tempting. But it’s better not to brush your teeth straight away. Blame the acids in the food—they temporarily weaken the enamel of your teeth, so that brushing right away can hurt more than it helps.
Waiting an hour or so after eating lets the pH level in your mouth return to normal, allowing more protection against damage.
7. Sharing A Toothbrush Is Always A Bad Idea.
Sharing a toothbrush can spread germs, viruses, and bacteria from one person’s mouth to another. Washing the brush with hot water won’t remove the nasties, so stick to using your own brush, even with your intimate partner. After all, no one wants to take unnecessary oral hygiene risks!
8. Parents’ Habits Can Affect Their Children’s Dental Health.
Parents have the power to shape their children’s lives in more ways than one — and that includes their dental health. Everything from what you feed your kids, where they get their dental care, how often they brush their teeth, to how often you take them to the dentist makes a difference.
With proper habits and regular visits, parents can help ensure that their children have healthy teeth both now and into adulthood.
9. Even Babies Need To See A Dentist.
Like adults, your little one needs to get their teeth checked out every 6-12 months right from the start. A baby’s first dental appointment should occur within six months of getting their first tooth, but no later than age one.
Seeing the dentist when your baby is young helps prevent cavities and teaches them good habits for life—so make sure you book an appointment as soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts.
10. A Good Dentist Won’t Shame You Or Blame You.
Going to the dentist can be intimidating if you haven’t been in a long time. You might worry that the dentist will judge you for not coming in or lecture you about taking better care of your teeth. But good dentists understand how real life gets in the way and won’t shame or blame you for being overdue for an appointment.
Instead, they will focus on providing attentive, caring treatment so that you have the confidence to keep coming back.
Top-Notch Dental Care For The Whole Family
Now that you know more about what your dentist thinks when they’re looking in your mouth, we hope you’ll feel more comfortable at your next appointment. And if you live in Las Vegas and are looking for a great place to get dental care, look no further than Nevada Dentistry & Braces.
Our team of highly trained professionals provides top-notch dental services, and we always have the patient’s best interest at heart. So give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Whether you’re an existing patient or new to our office, we look forward to seeing you soon.
related post
Exploring Dental Crown Options: Material, Procedure & Cost In Las Vegas
Your smile is a significant asset. It is often the first thing people see and …
