Categories: Dental Practice

4 Things Your Dental Practice Wants You to Know About Oral Hygiene

Just about every patient who visits a dental practice will leave with a few tips about oral hygiene. Dental professionals can be a valuable resource for how to keep the mouth healthy and can talk at length about oral hygiene. Here are four things a dentist may want you to know about how to care for the mouth.

Four healthy habits to incorporate

While tooth brushing before bed is a good start, there are other habits to form that can encourage oral health.

1. Do not rinse right away

Most people tend to use toothpaste in a similar manner to soap. After applying the toothpaste and lathering up, water is used to rinse out the residue. The truth is, toothpaste can be more effective when allowed to remain on the teeth. It is a topical agent and useful for more than scrubbing away food particles. The ingredients in toothpaste can get rid of harmful bacteria, and leaving it on the teeth longer can give it more time to work. After brushing, spit out the foam, but refrain from rinsing for 30 minutes for maximum results.

2. Take a good look when brushing

Not all tooth issues cause pain until the problem is serious. There can be visible signs of tooth decay before any pain is felt, and picking up on these indicators can allow a dentist to prevent further damage to the tooth. The following are warning signs to look for when brushing:

  • Brown spots
  • Spots that look dull or soft
  • Pits or indents
  • Gum recession

Any of these can indicate tooth decay and should result in a visit to the dentist.

3. Do not ignore pain

In many cases, people do not visit a dental practice until they experience severe pain. This can result in extensive, costly repairs. By alerting a dental professional at the first hint of pain, the procedures required to fix the issue can be minor. Even if the sensation is closer to discomfort or heightened sensitivity than actual pain, it can still be worth mentioning. After all, sensations are the body's way of pointing out problems or irregularities.

4. Floss daily

Sporadic flossing can actually be harmful to the gums. Those who only floss once a week or when there is a piece of popcorn lodged in the teeth are at a higher risk of gum disease. When teeth are not flossed daily, plaque, tartar and bacteria can build up around the gum line and cause infection, irritation and swelling. Flossing irritated gums every so often can only irritate them more and make the problem worse.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Practice in Scottsdale, AZ.

Conclusion

Proper oral hygiene is essential for a healthy mouth. Daily brushing and flossing using the correct technique can not only keep the mouth clean but also increase awareness of any changes. Paying attention to the appearance of and sensations in the teeth can allow potential issues to be addressed by a dental practice before further damage is done.

Request an appointment or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at 480-439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

Recent Posts

Dental Practice FAQs: How Are Cavities Treated?

While most people visit a dental practice every six months, others only go on occasion or not at all. For those individuals, the thought of seeing a dentist causes a lot of anxiety. Hopefully, the information provided about how a dentist treats a cavity will answer questions and put them at ease. These people will…

Dental Practice: Oral Hygiene Care Tips

A dental practice can elevate one’s dental health. Being gifted with good teeth does not mean that they will last forever. Once permanent teeth are set in, maintaining dental health is crucial. Extending that care into one’s home makes sure that teeth and gums keep off dental problems. Here are some tips for practicing proper…

A Dental Practice Explains What Smoking Does To The Teeth

Many times, a dental practice will recommend avoiding smoking because of the negative effect on the teeth. Smoking can lead to many dental issues. Having a healthy smile is critical, but smoking can reduce the patient’s ability to do so. Keep reading to learn more about tobacco and the teeth.Tobacco and smoking can stain the…

Dr. Haleh Bazargan

Share
Published by
Dr. Haleh Bazargan

Recent Posts

Dental Bridges: A Lasting Solution for Missing Teeth

Dental bridges are a proven and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, offering both functional…

2 days ago

Dental Practice FAQs: How Are Cavities Treated?

While most people visit a dental practice every six months, others only go on occasion…

2 days ago

Dental Practice: Oral Hygiene Care Tips

A dental practice can elevate one’s dental health. Being gifted with good teeth does not…

1 week ago

A Dental Practice Explains What Smoking Does to the Teeth

Many times, a dental practice will recommend avoiding smoking because of the negative effect on…

1 week ago

What Does the Dental Hygienist at a Dental Practice Do?

A dental practice often has hygienists to help the patient’s teeth stay clean. The hygienist…

2 weeks ago

Your Dental Practice Explains the Causes of Stained Teeth

If you have stained teeth, you need to know that a dental practice can often…

3 weeks ago