3210 Wilkinson Blvd, Ste. B-2, Charlotte, NC 28208
The Importance of Oral Hygiene Basics
Understanding the basics of oral hygiene helps individuals take better care of their teeth and overall mouth health, including gums, cheeks, and tongue. Oral health is essential for overall well-being.
Establishing good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles and bodies. To begin your oral hygiene routine, reach out to our Urban Family Dental team at (704) 900-5445 to schedule an appointment.
Why Good Oral Hygiene Matters
Teeth are anchored to the jawbone through their roots, which provide essential structure and strength for biting, chewing, and speaking. Without a consistent oral hygiene routine, bacteria can accumulate, forming tartar and plaque, which often appears as yellowish buildup around the gum line.
If brushing, flossing, and rinsing are neglected, this buildup can adversely affect your smile over time. Bacteria can penetrate beneath the gums, leading to dental pockets where gum tissue begins to recede from the teeth. This gum recession can expose the tooth roots, allowing bacteria direct access to the bloodstream.
Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can pose risks to overall health. Establishing and maintaining an oral hygiene routine helps prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria on your teeth, safeguarding both your smile and your body’s health. Protecting your oral health is crucial for overall well-being.
Assisting Family Members with Oral Hygiene
Since oral health directly impacts overall health, it's essential to educate children and other family members about proper oral hygiene. Open conversations about the importance of dental care can make a significant difference. If any family member feels anxious about visiting the dentist, discuss options with the dental team to help make the experience less intimidating. Everyone in the family should understand oral hygiene and how to care for their smiles.
Both children and adults should follow similar oral hygiene routines. There is a common misconception that a child's dental care is less important because baby teeth will eventually fall out. However, baby teeth are still crucial, as they are connected to the jawbone in the same way as adult teeth. Neglecting oral care for baby teeth can weaken the adult teeth that follow, increasing the risk of decay and disease later on. That's why dental professionals recommend that children begin visiting the dentist regularly at an early age.
Regardless of age, everyone should prioritize their oral health and establish a consistent hygiene routine. As individuals age, their smiles may have different needs, and they should feel comfortable discussing these with our dental team to receive the appropriate guidance and support.
What to Include in Your Dental Care Routine
A dental care routine will depend on the individual's current oral health needs, but in general, most routines should include the following:
Brushing
Everyone should brush their teeth twice a day using a dentist-recommended toothbrush and toothpaste. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect your gums and tooth enamel. Apply a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste and brush gently in a circular motion. Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to effectively clean along the gum line. Dental professionals suggest brushing for about two minutes, ensuring you cover the top and bottom rows as well as all surfaces of your teeth.
Flossing
After brushing, it’s essential to floss to clean the spaces between your teeth. Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove debris and reduce the risk of buildup. To floss, hold a piece of dental floss firmly between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently slide the floss up and down between the teeth, curving it at the base of each tooth to clean beneath the gum line.
Rinsing
After flossing, it’s important to rinse with a dentist-approved mouthwash. Most mouthwashes contain a small amount of fluoride to help maintain tooth health between regular dental visits. Depending on individual needs, your dentist may recommend a specific mouthwash, especially for issues like bad breath, dry mouth, or gum disease. To use mouthwash, pour a small amount into a clean cup, swish it around your mouth for about a minute, and then spit it out, following the instructions on the bottle.
How to Maintain a Healthy Smile and Prevent Tooth Decay
Maintaining a dental hygiene routine that includes at-home care and regular dental checkups is essential for keeping your smile healthy and preventing tooth decay. However, there are additional steps you can take. Certain foods and drinks, particularly sodas and sugary treats, can harm your teeth. The ingredients in these items can erode enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to bacteria and decay.
Instead of consuming sugary or acidic foods and beverages, opt for healthier choices like cheese, fruits, vegetables, and green or black teas. Cheese can help combat enamel erosion, while high-fiber fruits and vegetables stimulate saliva production, aiding in the removal of food particles from teeth. Additionally, certain teas can fight the bacteria that cause plaque. These nutritious foods not only protect your smile from decay but also provide your body with essential nutrients.
Health Practices for a Healthy Smile
If your goal is to maintain a healthy smile for life, there are several steps you can take to achieve this. The first and perhaps most important step is to stay connected with your dental team. Over time, these professionals will become familiar with your individual smile and can provide valuable guidance as your mouth ages and changes. Regular dental checkups are crucial for building and maintaining this relationship.
Typically, dental checkups are recommended every six months, although some individuals may need to visit more frequently if they have a history of oral health issues or gum disease. In between checkups, it’s essential to continue your at-home oral hygiene routine. While dental visits help remove plaque buildup and polish teeth to protect against bacteria, daily care is necessary for maintaining a healthy smile.
A daily routine should include brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Depending on the health of your smile, your dentist may also recommend additional steps, which could include:
- Drinking fluoridated water
- Quitting smoking and avoiding other tobacco products
- Limiting consumption of alcoholic, caffeinated, or sugary drinks
- Managing other health conditions that may impact dental health
- Undergoing deep cleaning treatments as needed
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Dental Terminology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.