Maintaining good dental health involves caring for your teeth, gums, and mouth. The purpose is to keep your mouth healthy and free from problems like cavities and gum disease. A mouth free of diseases, injuries, and other issues related to the teeth and gums is crucial to your general well-being.
Damage to your teeth can lead to complications elsewhere in your body, and poor oral health can worsen the effects of diseases and other illnesses. A lack of attention to one’s dental health can lead to various complications. Regular preventative activities (brushing, flossing, etc.) and dental appointments can avoid or decrease oral health concerns.
Dental Health Facts
Oral health issues such as gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented, at least in part, with the right level of knowledge. A few oral health myths are circulating, which may prevent you from getting the help you need. We’ve debunked some widespread misconceptions to help you maintain optimal oral health.
1. The more you brush your teeth, the better.
Too much brushing can be as damaging to the tooth enamel as using a brush with very stiff bristles. Maintain a routine of cleaning your teeth and flossing them twice a day. Do it for two to three minutes each time.
Rinse your mouth and dental bridges Kamloops with water after meals and eat sugar-free gum in the time between brushings. Both of these steps will aid in clearing the mouth of leftover food and halt the formation of acidic plaque.
2. If your gums are bleeding, stop brushing and flossing.
Spitting out a mouthful of blood after brushing and flossing can be slightly alarming. People sometimes incorrectly assume that putting off a thorough cleaning is the best action when faced with this situation, while the opposite is true.
Gums that bleed and become inflamed are a common indicator of excessive plaque and, in some instances, the beginning stages of gum disease. Plaque may be removed, gum health can be restored, and bleeding can be stopped with regular and thorough brushing and flossing. Go to the dentist if the bleeding does not stop.
3. Eating more sugar means more cavities.
The amount of sugar consumption is less of a factor than the timing of sugary food consumption and the length of time before brushing your teeth. Consuming sugar causes cavities because it feeds the bacteria in the mouth, producing acid that dissolves tooth enamel.
Additionally, timing is essential; only consume processed sugar during meals. The acid in your mouth increases after eating sugary snacks in between meals. Long-term exposure to sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.
4. Flossing creates spaces between the teeth and worsens gum bleeding.
It is not true that flossing will widen the spaces between your teeth. Cavities between teeth can be avoided with regular flossing. When you floss, you remove food particles and bacteria from the spaces between your teeth and gums.
Gum bleeding is typical when starting a flossing regimen, although most people see a reduction in bleeding after a few weeks of regular flossing. Continue to experience bleeding gums after regular flossing. Your gum disease may be further advanced, and you should consult a dentist to learn more about your options for treatment, like a root canal in Lethbridge.
5. I don’t need to go to the dentist if I don’t feel pain.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires regular trips to the dentist. Even if everything seems okay on the surface, underlying issues may need to be addressed by oral surgery Kelowna. By visiting the dentist often, you can ensure that cavities and gum disease don’t develop unnoticed. You should visit the dentist every six to twelve months, depending on your needs.
