Tips to Achieve Oral Health

What You Should Know

It doesn’t matter if you’re nine or ninety – most people understand the vitality of drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, a consistent dose of exercise, and the importance of eating a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

But, surprisingly, there are a lot of people who don’t take their oral health seriously, which later leads to many serious problems. That’s why it’s essential to establish an easy-to-follow routine in order to protect your teeth from decay.

Diet Evaluation/Counseling

Because the government recognizes people’s various dietary needs, they offer guidance for children and adults based on their age and level of physical activity. Your physician or a registered dietician can also provide suggestions for your daily food intake.

Foods that contain any kind of sugar can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn’t be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients and they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies, and pastries.

If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets.

Tips to achieve oral health:

• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Make sure water is readily available.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
• Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
• Floss daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
• Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.
• Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the food pyramid recommendations.

Restorations

Most decay arises when old fillings wear down. The area around the restored section festers deadly bacteria, which is why it’s so crucial to keep those areas extra clean and cared for. We make it our mission to not only reduce the breakdown of your fillings, but also protect your teeth from the harsher treatments by using sealants and preventive resin restorations. No matter how young or old you are, bacteria can thrive in the cracks and grooves of your teeth, accelerating decay and infections. However, to prevent the further growth and spread of bacteria and decay, we seal the surface of the chewing molars with a thin, plastic surface (known as a sealant). This method, which was originally intended for children, has now proven to be 100% successful for both children and adults!

Fluoride

Fluoride is an active ingredient in almost all toothpastes. The active ingredients quickly immerse into the tooth enamel, building an overall strength in the tooth structure and giving your teeth more power to fight against decay. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the danger is even visible.

We apply a sodium fluoride varnish to the teeth of patients who suffer from a high risk of tooth decay. This varnish – a highly effective bactericidal agent – creates an acid-opposing crystal on the top of the enamel, promoting remineralization of tooth structure. From past experience, we’ve discovered that after three professional applications, your teeth will receive the most successful results.

The Importance of Brushing

Everyone knows that brushing your teeth is a fundamental part of maintaining healthy gums and clean teeth. But what most people don’t know is when you brush your teeth daily, you are preventing a multitude of health problems, including severely risky ones. If you are not dedicated to brushing your teeth both daily and properly, harmful bacteria will multiply in your mouth and form plaque. With the combination of saliva, sugar, mucus, and food remains, the plaque then creates a powerfully acidic substance that consumes the protective layer of tooth enamel. When the protective layer has been eaten through, your teeth undergo a bacterial attack that results in decay.

Eventually, the decay travels under the enamel and infects the tooth dentin. This is not only extremely painful, but it also means your teeth are dying. Meanwhile, excess plaque is forming on the surface of your teeth, which irritates the gums, causing them to separate, thus exposing the sensitive tooth roots. The loose gums develop pools where bacteria merge, causing a painful infection.

This can permanently damage the bone that holds teeth secure, resulting in tooth loosening or loss. Finally, chronic gum disease can dissolve the protective barrier between oral bacteria and your bloodstream. This allows bacteria to enter your bloodstream and increases the danger of numerous health problems, such as stroke, respiratory illness, heart disease, diabetes complications, and even pregnancy problems.

If you want to establish and retain oral health, you must learn to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and quality fluoride toothpaste. The best brushing technique depends on your personal dentition, but below are some general guidelines that apply to all patients:

• Make sure you choose toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval. You should spend at least three to four minutes brushing with a soft, angled brush in small, circular motions across all tooth surfaces and the gum line. Apply gentle pressure and cover two to three teeth at a time. Brushing too harshly damages gums and causes painful sensitivity. After brushing your teeth, remember to scuff your tongue to remove germs and bacteria that harm teeth and cause bad breath. Finally, rinse your whole mouth with water and spit. Brush your teeth twice a day, ideally after each meal, and floss once a day.
• For more meticulous brushing, purchase an electric toothbrush. Some features offer an automatic warning light that beeps at you when you brush too harshly. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months so that the bristles remain clean and effectively positioned. For fresher breath and further prevention of bad bacteria, use an over-the-counter mouthwash after each brushing session.

How to Fight Away Tooth Decay

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily.
• Limit foods with sugar and starches.
• Regularly visit your dentist in Dallas, Texas, for oral exams and specialized cleanings.
• Ask your dentist about supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth.

Oral Cancer Screening

Every year, 30,000 Americans are plagued with the fatal disease of oral cancer, estimating an average of over 8,000 annual deaths. That’s why we take our jobs as dental professionals very seriously, as we take the time to relentlessly examine your present oral health, including your throat and neck. We do this to check for any suspicious oddities. If the necessity arises, Dr. Jason Roe will take biopsies or refer you to the suitable specialist.

Periodontal Maintenance Program

Periodontal disease is the number one cause for why people lose their teeth, and what’s more sobering is 90% of all adults have varying degrees of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Gum disease can dissolve the protective barrier between oral bacteria and your bloodstream. This allows bacteria to enter your bloodstream and increases the danger of numerous health problems, such as stroke, respiratory illness, heart disease, diabetes complications, and even pregnancy problems.

Several factors contribute to periodontal disease, including plaque buildup, heredity, and lifestyle choices. By far, the most common and controllable factor is bacterial plaque, the sticky, colorless film produced by normal oral bacteria.

Unfortunately, the disease has no clear warnings before attacking the mouth. It simply hides in the dark places, destroying gum tissue and teeth. In the early stages, your gums will become sore and bleed easily, which contributes to a stench in your mouth. As the disease worsens, your teeth loosen, wriggle apart, and ultimately fall out.

We examine your mouth for any possible signs so we can help prevent the problem before it occurs. But if it does occur, we offer you the chance to minimize the loss of your bone and preserve your teeth, diagnose the progression of this disease, and preserve your smile at Pro Dental Dallas.

Book your next appointment today!