Blog Layout
How To Take Care of Your Teeth
Joseph K.
A smile is more than just an expression, and you’re never fully dressed without it. Teeth serve as the first line of defense in the protection of our overall health. They have an impact on how we eat, what we eat, and how we digest food. They even have control over how we communicate. Maintaining good oral and dental hygiene practices throughout your life can help you avoid both dental and medical issues. Good oral hygiene is linked to overall health. It includes having not only straight, white teeth, but also healthy gums and oral tissue, including the tongue. Maintaining a good oral health routine can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and a variety of other health problems.
Why it’s important to look after your teeth?
Your oral health often deteriorates as you get older. If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, you risk developing serious medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease , dementia, cancer, and respiratory infections. Here are some reasons to take care of your teeth as you age:
- Gum Disease – As you get older, your gums recede, exposing your tooth surfaces and roots to bacteria that can cause decay. Gum disease develops when plaque builds along and beneath the gum line. Plaque causes infections that harm the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place. Brushing and flossing every day can often cure a mild form of gum disease. More severe gum disease must be treated by a dentist. These types of infections can cause sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss if not treated.
- Dry Mouth – When you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, dry mouth occurs. It can make eating, swallowing, tasting, and even speaking difficult. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and washes your teeth naturally, removing food particles that can cause decay. Tooth decay, fungal infections of the mouth, and cavities can all be exacerbated by dry mouth. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and avoiding mouthwashes containing alcohol, which can dry out your oral tissues, help a great deal with dry mouth.
- Plaque – It develops under the gums on tooth roots, causing the bones that support teeth to deteriorate. Bacteria in your mouth combine with sugary or starchy foods to form plaque. After you eat or drink, plaque bacteria produce acids. These acids can damage tooth enamel, resulting in cavities and gingivitis (gum disease). Your dentist will scrape any plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth when you have your teeth cleaned. Tartar buildup is prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, which includes regular brushing and flossing.
- Sensitive and Brittle Teeth – Regular toothpaste, foods, and beverages may irritate your teeth over time. Tooth enamel can become brittle as you age. Dental professionals recommend using sensitive toothpaste and a mouth rinse. Contact your dentist if you experience pain while eating or drinking, and schedule regular dental exams to ensure that your tooth sensitivity is not caused by decay or other oral issues.
- Tooth Decay – Food particles and bacteria can become trapped in the teeth, causing decay. Practice good oral hygiene, make smart food choices and do not use tobacco products to help prevent tooth decay. However, once a cavity forms, a dentist must fill it to prevent further damage.
- Oral Cancer – Oral cancer can begin anywhere in the mouth or throat, including the tongue. Your dentist can check for signs of oral cancer during a dental checkup. Tobacco products such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, and cigars need to be avoided if you want to lower your risk of getting oral cancer.
How to take good care of your teeth
Many doctors regard our teeth and mouth as a kind of diagnostic system for our overall health. A healthy mouth, teeth, and gums can have a positive impact on one’s overall health. Good oral health isn’t difficult to achieve, but it does require commitment. Use these tips to take care of your mouth and teeth for the rest of your life:
- Brush your teeth after every meal at least for two minutes.
- Floss between your teeth once a day to remove food particles and debris from hard-to-reach places.
- Avoid foods that are acidic or sugary because they increase plaque and bacteria build-up.
- Brush your teeth first thing in the morning to help remove the plaque that has accumulated overnight.
- Refrain from smoking or using tobacco products.
- Have regular dental check-ups, preferably every six months, but at least once a year.
- If you notice a change, have pain or bleeding in your mouth, or if your teeth are injured, call your dentist right away.
By Karter L.
•
13 Nov, 2023
Brushing and flossing is the best defense against cavities. However, many people have deep grooves in the chewing surface of their teeth, especially the molars. It can be difficult to thoroughly clean these grooves. If they don’t get well cleaned, plaque and tartar can build up, increasing your risk for decay. There is an extra… Continue Reading What are Dental Sealants?
The post What are Dental Sealants? appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Victor J.
•
13 Nov, 2023
Water. It is Earth’s most precious and abundant resource. Our bodies are literally made of up to 60% water. Water replenishes our organs, revitalizes our skin, and helps keep us healthy. But did you know water also protects our teeth? Read on to find out how it helps fight cavities and rebuild our teeth! Rebuilds… Continue Reading Drink Water to Protect Your Teeth
The post Drink Water to Protect Your Teeth appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Simon H.
•
11 Nov, 2023
People go to great lengths to express themselves. Personal expression drives people to all kinds of body modifications, from piercings to hair dye, implants to tattoos. Dental fashion trends are one new way people are beginning to express their individuality. However, you may want to consider the side effects of a trend before you jump. Continue Reading Dental Fashion Fads: What You Need to Know About Tooth Trends
The post Dental Fashion Fads: What You Need to Know About Tooth Trends appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Holden K.
•
10 Nov, 2023
Ah junk food. We know how comforting and addicting it can be to plow through a bag of your favorite snacks. There may even be some times when junk food seems appropriate. But before you binge on your guilty pleasure, consider the potential negative effects beyond your waistline. Some junk foods are really hard on… Continue Reading Top 10 Worst Junk Foods for your Teeth
The post Top 10 Worst Junk Foods for your Teeth appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Steven S.
•
10 Nov, 2023
Addiction may sound like a strong word to apply to your inclination to eat sugar. However, there is strong scientific evidence to suggest that addiction to sugar is not only possible, but it’s sneaky. The social acceptance and cultural habits around eating together can make it easy to write off your symptoms of sugar addiction.… Continue Reading Do You Have a Sugar Addiction?
The post Do You Have a Sugar Addiction? appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Hayes H.
•
09 Nov, 2023
In case you didn’t see last week’s blog, be sure to check it out. We flagged signs that you may be addicted to sugar. Now that you’re aware you may have a sugar addiction, let’s discuss the importance of changing your habits and ways you can fight sugar cravings. Impact of Sugar Addiction on your Oral Continue Reading How to Fight Sugar Cravings
The post How to Fight Sugar Cravings appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Marcus S.
•
07 Nov, 2023
Are you accidentally sabotaging your oral health with one of these common habits? Let’s look at a few habits that you should overcome and why. Keeping your toothbrush within 6 feet of the toilet Did you know that when you flush a toilet, especially one with the lid up, you spray the surrounding area with… Continue Reading 9 Bad Habits that Affect Oral Health
The post 9 Bad Habits that Affect Oral Health appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Beckham D.
•
07 Nov, 2023
Did you know that cultures all over the world have different traditions to celebrate the loss of baby teeth? Losing a tooth can be scary and painful, so many cultures have developed ways to celebrate and normalize losing baby teeth. Stories and characters help make it an exciting milestone instead of a scary one. Many… Continue Reading How Cultures Around the World Celebrate Lost Baby Teeth
The post How Cultures Around the World Celebrate Lost Baby Teeth appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Emilio M.
•
05 Nov, 2023
Are you one of the 7% of Americans who avoid visiting the dentist because of dental anxiety? Also known as dentophobia, dental anxiety can be severe enough to prevent patients from visiting a dentist, even when they’re in pain. This can cause unnecessary pain and tooth loss, and in severe cases, it could allow life-threatening infections. Continue Reading How to Manage Dental Anxiety
The post How to Manage Dental Anxiety appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist.
By Richard S.
•
05 Nov, 2023
Have you lost a crown, bridge, or filling on the weekend? Or maybe while you’re away from home? Right now, many of us are home instead of away on vacation, but most dental offices are closed. At 24/7 Local Dentist we are open during the Coronavirus lockdown, but seeing patients for emergencies only. Please… Continue Reading How to: Use Temporary Filling Material
The post How to: Use Temporary Filling Material appeared first on 24/7 Local Dentist
Resource Links
Disclaimer
247 local dentist is a dentists referral service. We connect you with dentists in your area. All dentist are operated independently of 247 local dentist. It is the responsibility of each user to verify that the dentist connected with meets all licensing and insurance requirements in that jurisdiction.
Photos on 247 local dentist are for design purposes only and do not represent the dental services in your area.
Services will not be available in all areas, and when services are available, they may vary depending on providers available.