08 Jan Dental Services in Evanston, Illinois: Practicing Good Oral Health
If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene. Practicing good oral hygiene will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy now, and will remain healthy as you age. Good oral health is an indication of good systemic health!
The question is: what exactly is good oral hygiene? What does the process entail? Read on to find out!
Stay Away from Tooth-Decaying Foods
One of the biggest factors in keeping your teeth and gums healthy is staying away from foods that cause tooth decay. Some of these foods are candy, citrus, sugary coffee, soft drinks, beer, and sports drinks, to name just a few. Anything that’s high in sugars, acids, or starches can cause damage. If you’re going to eat foods like these, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation, and be sure to brush your teeth after consumption.
Unfortunately, most people find these foods delicious and they can be addictive. For this reason, many individuals struggle to stay away from them.
Avoid Smoking
Few things are as bad for a person’s teeth as smoking cigarettes. Over time, consistent cigarette smoking can stain your teeth, giving them an unattractive yellow shade. Tobacco can also wreak havoc on the gums, often causing gingival and other soft tissue problems such as periodontal disease and oral cancer.
If possible, you should cut out cigarette smoking altogether. It has been proven that smoking is exceedingly harmful to your health. However, if you can’t quit altogether, it’s wise to do your best to limit your usage.
Brush Your Teeth on a Regular Basis
It’s not possible to overstate the importance of brushing your teeth. Of all the ways to maintain your oral health, brushing your teeth should be the main practice.
Ideally, you’ll brush your teeth after every meal. However, if this is not possible, you should strive for at least 2 brushing sessions per day; one in the morning when you wake up, and one at night before you go to sleep for a full 2 minutes. Using an electric toothbrush is highly recommended.
When brushing, it’s important to make sure to use the right technique. It’s recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and brush in gentle, circular motions across every individual tooth. Also, make sure to brush both the fronts and backs of your teeth, and angle your toothbrush toward the gumline.
Floss Consistently
Another component of practicing good oral health is flossing consistently. This is a practice that many people have difficulty keeping up with.
Ideally, you will floss your teeth every day. This is key to preventing plaque from building up in between your teeth. In the long run, it can prevent both tooth decay and gum disease.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
While the majority of your oral health maintenance will be performed at home, you can’t overlook the importance of a dental visit. Dental visits are absolutely vital to the upkeep of your teeth and gums, as they will help you to detect small problems before they become much bigger issues. They will also ensure that your teeth are receiving the professional cleaning that they need.
At a minimum, you should see your dentist twice a year. Doing so will allow you to catch cavities, gingivitis, and other dental problems early.
Looking for a Dentist in Evanston, Illinois?
Ready to schedule a dental visit? Looking for a dentist in Evanston, Illinois? If so, look no further. The dental professionals with Dental Innovations have you covered.
When you schedule an appointment with us, you can be sure that you’ll receive only the best in dental care. We focus not only on the oral health of our patients, but on their general well-being as well. We go the extra mile by conducting blood pressure tests and oral cancer screenings in order to monitor your whole body health.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Murray!