It is recommended to visit dentist bi-annually to keep your teeth and mouth healthy and strong. Regular cleanings and checkups help prevent serious gum and teeth diseases. Your dentist will be able to catch anything before it gets too serious, making it easier to treat.
Smoking does not only discolour your teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes eat away at your gums and teeth. Your mouth becomes a breeding grounds for bacteria and infections. This bacteria makes your mouth more susceptible for gum disease and oral cancer which can affect your lips, gums, teeth, and tongue.
It’s common knowledge to brush twice a day, but if you aren’t brushing with the proper technique, your teeth may not be getting clean. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line. This allows the bristles to clean under the gum line and between the teeth near the root. Use gentle, circular motions to brush. Brushing aggressively can actually damage your teeth and erode your gum line.
Reducing sugar intake is important to maintaining a healthy mouth. Sugar build up can create plaque on your teeth that produces bacteria which breaks down the enamel on your teeth. When the enamel is weak, your teeth are more likely to decay or break. A balanced diet is crucial to your teeth. Nutrients that promote strong bones, healthy gums, and fatty acids that reduce gum disease should be a part of your daily diet.
Flossing promotes healthier teeth and gums. However, it is like brushing. There is a proper technique and doing it the wrong way can damage your gum line. Use about 12-inches of floss and wrap it around your index fingers. Have about 2-3 inches of floss between your fingers. It’s important to use fresh floss between each tooth so you don’t spread food particles. Slide the floss against the tooth to break up food particles and break up plaque without harming the gum line.
Going to the dentist can be a source of real anxiety and fear for many people. This fear can be extremely detrimental in making sure you are properly taking care of your teeth.
Fear of the dentist will cause people to avoid the dentist, even for check-ups, which can have an adverse effect on your overall oral care. Often, the people who are afraid of the dentist are the ones who most urgently require oral care. Here are some of our top tips to help you overcome your dental fear and take back control of your oral health:
The first thing to do is make an appointment to meet with a dentist to discuss your anxiety. When making the appointment, mention your fears and that you just want the first meeting to be a discussion. Chat with the dentist about your fears and any potential triggers to get to the root of the problem. By making the dentist aware of how you’re feeling and why, they can accommodate you by modifying your dental treatment to find what works best for your needs.
Ready to take the first step in conquering your dental anxiety? Give the team at Hawkesbury Dentistry a call today, and let us help give you peace of mind about your oral health.
