Good oral hygiene is more important than ever now because you may not be going to your regular appointments. Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams. However, because you may be missing appointments, you should take better care of your teeth than before. Read on to learn why.
People who do not bathe often enough will feel greasy or sweaty. They might see skin issues, so it is important to keep the body clean. It is just as important to keep the mouth clean. Some studies have shown that there are more than 700 types of bacteria in the mouth. Some of these are good bacteria that help break down food. Other types are bad and can cause tooth decay.
Over time, the bad bacteria can start to break down the enamel on the teeth. Bacteria can become a sticky film called plaque. It is acidic and will slowly break down the enamel. As the tooth’s hard outer coating weakens, the acid can seep into the patient’s teeth. This is what causes tooth decay or cavities.
Both brushing and flossing can remove plaque from the teeth, as long as it is done properly. The patient should brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. The more that the patient follows this advice, the less likely tooth decay is to happen. However, the bacteria also target the patient’s gums.
The bacteria can also inflame the patient’s gums. Over time, this will also affect the gums that support the patient’s teeth. The first stage of the issue is gingivitis, which involves tender, swollen or red gums. They might bleed when brushing and flossing. Patients who notice this issue should floss and brush more often at home. The earliest stages of gum disease can still be reversed.
However, if left untreated, it can progress to full gum disease. This is known as periodontal disease. The condition often affects the gums supporting the patient’s teeth. The inflamed, red, bleeding gums will become worse. Over time, the gums will start to recede from the teeth.
The larger the amount of gum recession, the more likely it is the teeth will eventually fall out. The bones may also become weaker during this stage. Proper oral hygiene can help patients to avoid this issue. Taking the time to properly floss and brush will help patients have healthier teeth.
Oral hygiene is more important now than ever. Without it, you may develop cavities or gum disease. Because many dental offices are only seeing emergency patients, you might not get an appointment for weeks. This can cause any potential issues to become worse to the point where home care does not work. Luckily, prevention can go a long way toward helping your teeth remain strong. That will give you one less thing to worry about.
Request an appointment here: https://www.tucsonazdentistry.com or call Advanced Family Dentistry at (520) 353-3002 for an appointment in our Tucson office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Pregnancy gingivitis is similar to ordinary gingivitis that occurs outside of pregnancy. It is caused by hormonal changes — the increased levels of progesterone cause an elevated response to plaque, which is a sticky film formed by leftover food particles and saliva. Sometimes, these hormonal changes cause an increase in blood flow to the gum…
You only get one set of adult teeth, and most older folks will tell you how much those teeth are missed when they are gone.Regular visits to the dentist are an important part of dental care, but what can you do to clean and maintain your teeth on a daily basis?These five easy tips can…
Having good oral hygiene is essential for overall health, healthy teeth and healthy gums. It will also save you money that you would have to spend on extensive procedures. Properly taking care of your teeth also comes with lots of benefits. Here is a look at 10 common signs of good oral health:When gums bleed…
While most people grow up hearing that they need to brush their teeth at least two times a day, once in the morning and right before you go to bed, they do not always keep that in practice. Of course, brushing right before you go to bed is a lot easier said than done. You're…
Wisdom teeth are late-stage molars. When they emerge from the gums and squeeze by your existing teeth, in a process known as impaction, they may cause a lot of pain. Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause jaw alignment issues, sinus issues, recurrent cavities, and cysts.Some individuals are lucky enough to avoid such wisdom tooth symptoms…
The term All-on-4® refers to a more convenient alternative than conventional dentures. It involves installing dental implants into the patient’s jaw to serve as the base for a special type of dentures that are fixed in place.Traditional dentures are the most affordable way to replace missing teeth, but they have issues like poor stability. This…