What can you get from visiting your dentist? Besides getting teeth whitening treatments and professional teeth cleaning, your visits are opportunities for you to learn more about your oral health and how to improve it. Every time you visit the dentist, you’re not only getting your teeth cleaned, but you’ll also learn new techniques, trends, and updates about the industry. The things you’ll learn will help preserve your oral health. Let’s check out some essential tips that you’ll learn from your dentist.
#1 How to Properly Care For Your Teeth
Did you know that millions of Americans suffer from oral health problems? It’s surprising because these people claim to brush and floss their teeth every day. What could have gone wrong? Well, one of the reasons why people succumb to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and tooth abscesses is because they are doing it all wrong. For example, if you claim to brush your teeth daily, but you do it in a rush, you won’t be able to clean your teeth and rid your mouth of plaque completely. If you visit your dentist, one look at your teeth and they’ll immediately know what’s wrong.
One of the mistakes people make is brushing too fast. The American Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. So, if you’ve been brushing your teeth for fifteen seconds, don’t get surprised if you develop cavities. Another thing is the type of toothbrush to use. Some people choose toothbrushes with hard bristles because they think that hard bristles are more effective in removing food debris. Sadly, hard bristles aren’t recommended because they cause premature enamel erosion. The best toothbrush to use is one that has soft bristles because it can bend and clean your teeth better.
Dentists will also teach you how often you should brush. Did you know that overbrushing is counterproductive? People who brush their teeth four to five times a day also experience enamel erosion and gum recession. This is also the case for people who immediately brush their teeth after consuming acidic food and drinks. The best time to brush your teeth is after you’ve had your lunch but wait for thirty minutes since your last meal before you start brushing. The same goes after you’ve consumed acidic food and drinks. It’s best to wait for another thirty minutes. Otherwise you’ll be scrubbing the acids against your teeth, and this can lead to erosion.
#2 Brush Before Going to Bed
Another thing you’ll learn from your dentist is making sure you brush your teeth before going to bed. Brushing your teeth before sleeping is essential to remove germs and bacteria that have accumulated during the day.
#3 Brush Your Tongue
When you brush your teeth, don’t forget to include your tongue. Your tongue harbors millions of bacteria and if you don’t brush it, the bacteria can travel to your teeth and cause oral health issues. Gently brushing your tongue also rids your mouth of bad breath.
#4 Use Fluoride-Based Toothpaste
When you brush your teeth make sure you choose a fluoride-based toothpaste with the ADA seal on it. Most people only check the flavor and whether the brand has whitening effect. While these two are important, the most essential element to look for is fluoride since it helps strengthen your teeth and protect them against tooth decay.
#5 The Proper Way to Floss
Many people think that brushing is enough. Well, your dentist will tell you that it isn’t. Flossing is just as important as brushing. When you eat, food debris tend to lodge in the tiny spaces between your teeth. Unfortunately, your toothbrush can’t effectively remove plaque, bacteria, and food debris in these crevices. You’ll need a dental floss to remove them. However, it’s important to know the proper way to floss otherwise, you’ll end up pushing bacteria and food particles inside your gum tissues and there’s also a tendency that you’ll injure your gums.
When you visit your dentist, your dentist will demonstrate the proper way to floss. Flossing can be done once daily before bedtime.
#6 Drink Plenty of Water
You were told by your doctor to drink water. Your dentist will also reiterate the importance of drinking water since it helps improve your oral health. Dentists suggest you drink water after every meal to wash out the acids, sugars, and starches from your food and drinks.
In a nutshell, visiting your dentist helps you learn a lot about your oral health. Things that you don’t normally learn about at home. Your dentist has the knowledge and wisdom to teach you how to better care for your teeth and gums. Take advantage of this opportunity by showing up during your next dental appointment.
Dr. Mamaly Reshad, DDS, MSc, Prosthodontist, has over 20 years of experience in dentistry is the owner of ArtLab Dentistry in Brentwood.