3 Tips to Help You Achieve Optimal Oral Health

Attaining oral health is about much more than having a beautiful smile. The mouth directly impacts the rest of a person’s body, so when disease-causing bacteria lead to cavities or gum disease, the rest of the body feels the effects. For example, gum disease is associated with diabetes, heart disease, and premature birth.

When it comes to taking care of your smile, there are several things you can do, but they all boil down to three simple tips:

1.       Create an effective oral hygiene routine

2.       Eat properly

3.       Visit the dentist regularly

Continue reading to learn the details of each of these tips and how they benefit your oral health.

Tip #1: Create an effective oral hygiene routine

At-home oral care is one of the best defenses against cavities and gum disease. To determine the most effective routine for your smile, talk to your dentist about toothbrushes, toothpaste, types of floss, and mouthwashes. Whatever tools you are using, here’s how to get the most out of them:

·         Brushing: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening—for two minutes each time. Be sure to use small, circular strokes and to brush the front, back, and top of each tooth.

·         Flossing: Without floss, it’s impossible to remove all of the food particles, debris, and bacteria from between the teeth. The proper flossing technique involves moving a piece of floss between each tooth. Simply place the floss between two teeth, down to the gums, and up each side of the tooth. Continue the process until the left and right side of each tooth has been cleaned.

·         Rinsing: The most important part of using mouthwash is to choose the right one. Be sure to ask your dentist for recommendations! Once you’ve picked a mouthwash, follow the directions on the back of the bottle carefully.

Tip #2: Eat properly

Most people think of eating as a way to maintain a healthy body, but the food and drinks we consume have a direct impact on our oral health.

Here are the essential vitamins and minerals needed to achieve optimal oral health:

·         Vitamin A: Did you know that saliva is actually important for your oral health? When you eat foods like leafy greens, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, and eggs, saliva production increases and the mouth is able to clean itself better throughout the day.

·         Calcium: Calcium is essential for keeping the teeth and jawbone strong. This means the teeth are less likely to experience damage or decay. Milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, and kale are excellent sources of calcium.

·         Iron: Mouth sores and tongue inflammation are two of the most common signs of iron deficiency. Add more red meats, spinach, and whole wheat to your diet to increase iron levels.

·         Vitamins B2 & B12: You’ll find these vitamins in pasta, bagels, almonds, spinach, pork, and dairy products. Consuming enough of these vitamins will significantly reduce the risk of developing canker sores.

·         Magnesium: Like calcium, magnesium helps strengthen teeth and reduces the risk of cavities. Dark chocolate, spinach, and kale contain magnesium.

·         Zinc: Bacterial growth and plaque buildup are much less likely when a person consumes enough zinc which can be found in meats, shellfish, dairy, nuts, and legumes.

·         Vitamin C: Did you know that gum disease is the most common oral health problem in America? Did you know that it is also the leading cause of tooth loss? Vitamin C is one of the best defenses against it! Oranges, sweet potatoes, and red peppers are excellent sources of vitamin C.

Though we’ve mentioned some nutritious foods, here are some quick and easy snack ideas:

·         Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts

·         Kale chips

·         Spinach dip with red peppers

·         Celery dipped in natural peanut butter

·         String cheese

·         A glass of milk

·         Boiled eggs

·         Apples with peanut butter

·         Meat and cheese wrap

·         Chicken salad

·         Bagel with cream cheese

Be sure to check food labels for added sugars disguised under the names dextrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose. You want to avoid these as much as possible.

Tip #3: Visit the dentist regularly

Most dentists recommend patients schedule dental cleanings every six months. Depending on the state of your oral health, the dentist may recommend more frequent visits.

Attending these appointments provides several advantages to patients, including:

Cavity prevention

While brushing and flossing properly at home is the greatest defense against tooth decay, regular dental cleanings provide the expert care our mouths need. Sometimes, the back molars and back surfaces of the teeth don’t get cleaned as well as we think they do. A professional dental cleaning can ensure that all parts of the mouth care thoroughly cleaned and that any lingering plaque is removed.

Lowered risk of tooth loss

When plaque gathers and lingers around the gum line, it turns into tartar which then develops into gum disease—the number one cause of tooth loss among American adults. It can take a long time for tooth loss to occur because of gum disease, but if you aren’t attending regular dental cleanings, the possibility is much higher.

Additionally, regular cleanings strengthen teeth so they are less likely to fall out from damage or trauma.

Improved aesthetics

Have you ever thought about professional teeth whitening? Before spending money on that cosmetic procedure, it’s beneficial to see how a regular dental cleaning improves the appearance of your teeth. The tools, pastes, and methods dentists use are much more effective than anything patients use at home and can remove extrinsic stains more easily.

We’re sure that you’ll leave the dentist’s office happier with your smile that when you came in!

Reduction or elimination of bad breath

Bad breath can be extremely embarrassing, especially when it becomes a constant problem. Sometimes, the odor is caused by eating onions or garlic or having food particles stuck between the teeth, but in some cases, the odor may stem from gum disease or tooth decay.

Whatever the reason for your bad breath, a regular dental cleaning or deep dental cleaning (also called scaling and root planing) can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the odor.

Better overall health

Dental decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health and vice versa. When these problems develop and are left untreated, the risk of developing overall health increases.

Oral health problems can lead to these overall health problems:

·         Dementia

·         Stroke

·         Heart attack

·         Diabetes

·         Rheumatoid arthritis

·         Premature birth

·         Head and neck cancers

Begin the Journey to Optimal Oral Health Today

At Grand Lake Dental, we are passionate about providing compassionate care to patients of all ages. Dr. Karl Jobst and our team can’t wait to help you achieve a healthy beautiful smile.

Call (918) 787-5800 today to schedule your appointment.