Why do we go out of our way to take care of our teeth on a daily basis? It is easy to point out an obvious benefit of good oral hygiene like cavity prevention. Brushing and flossing will also help an individual stay safe against gum disease. What might surprise you is that your approach to oral health care can also be important because it benefits your general health. You are able to defend yourself against potentially harmful oral bacteria whenever you clean your teeth. By preventing problems like tooth decay and gum disease, you can also protect yourself against complications that can seriously impact your life. Our Austin, TX dentist’s office is proud to provide preventive dental care every time a patient comes in for a routine checkup, but we also encourage everyone to practice good oral hygiene between these visits.
What Is The Connection Between Oral And General Health?
When oral health problems form, and are not treated in time, the complications can have a significant impact. An untreated cavity can eventually lead to a tooth infection that can cause facial swelling, pain, and sensitivity. The issue can even lead to a person developing a fever. If you have problems with gum disease that are not being managed, the bacteria that have gathered beneath your periodontal tissues can spread to different parts of your body and create new problems. For example, you may be at increased risk for endocarditis, a heart condition, if you have problems with poor periodontal health.
Are You Doing Enough To Protect Yourself When You Brush And Floss?
How thorough is your approach to brushing and flossing? How confident are you that you are doing enough to fully remove bacteria from even those hard to reach areas of your smile? Consider the following if you want to make sure you are doing enough to avoid problems that require restorative dental work:
- Put more time into brushing – if you are not already, make sure you spend at least two minutes every time you clean your teeth
- Floss every day, and move the string up and down so that every part of every space between your teeth are cleaned
- Be careful about holding onto the same toothbrush for too long by replacing yours every three months
- Thoroughly clean at your gum line in order to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause gingivitis
Take Early Warning Signs Of Dental Problems Seriously
Take early warnings of poor dental health seriously. If you start noticing signs of gingivitis, focusing on cleaning more effectively at the base of your teeth can help you fight the bacteria responsible for your infection. If you have lingering dental pain, and are unsure why, it could be the start of a tooth infection. Addressing it in time can limit how much damage your tooth ultimately experiences.
Our Austin, TX Dentist’s Office Helps Patients Of All Ages Maintain Healthy Smiles
Austin General Dentistry offers a range of important dental health services to people in the Austin, TX community. To find out more about us, please call Austin General Dentistry at 512-346-5540.