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 Tomball, TX.

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 Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA at 281-864-1581 for an appointment in our Tomball office.

Recent Posts

What To Do When You Have A Chipped Tooth

There are many possible causes of a chipped tooth. Opening packages with your teeth, biting down on hard foods or objects and facial trauma can chip teeth. Whatever the cause, a chipped tooth can bring discomfort and make your teeth less appealing. Fixing a chipped tooth when you first notice it can prevent further problems.…

3 Material Options For Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are the most popular way to restore teeth that are in bad shape due to decay, injury or other imperfections. Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many different material choices, all of which offer their own pros and cons. Keep reading to learn about three options that general dentists recommend. Outlined below…

Can A Broken Tooth Be Saved?

Dealing with a broken tooth? Read on to learn about how a dentist can help. A broken tooth is one of those injuries that tend to occur at the worst possible times. You’re having fun one second, and your tooth is broken the next. It might be a tasty treat you bite into, a fall,…

Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA

Share
Published by
Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA

Recent Posts

What to Do When You Have a Chipped Tooth

Crowns can match the rest of the teeth and be unnoticeable within the mouth.

3 weeks ago

3 Material Options For Dental Crowns

Looking for further information on dental crowns? Talking with a general dentist is the best…

2 months ago

Can a Broken Tooth Be Saved?

Crowns are typically recommended for moderate to severe breaks.

3 months ago

4 Guidelines To Know if You are a Candidate for Dental Veneers

A good candidate must have enough enamel on each tooth, so it is able to…

4 months ago

What to Ask at Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

It is important to be thorough with your questions during your consultation appointment.

5 months ago

A Guide to Getting a Smile Makeover From a Dentist

Having a general idea of the timeline for a smile makeover can be helpful.

6 months ago