Dental Hygiene Tips
Madison, AL
 Our professionals at Singing River Dentistry are skilled in all facets of dental care and can guide you on your journey so that you can make the best decisions for you and your family's oral health. Whether your child is due for their first visit or you simply need some information on proper brushing habits, we can help. Contact us in Madison today!
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Importance of Dental Hygiene
The brushing of teeth is a simple but necessary process that will greatly influence the overall health of your smile. Practicing good brushing habits will help you and your family develop a positive outlook on dental care and can prevent costly and uncomfortable dental procedures.
Understanding the Impact of Good Dental Hygiene
Good dental hygiene is important because it not only keeps your gums and teeth clean and healthy, but a connection has been shown between good dental health influencing your overall health.
Benefits of Maintaining Dental Health
Maintaining good oral hygiene is not only important to your gums and teeth, but helps improve your overall self confidence. Who doesn't like to smile big when talking with friends and family? Regular dental visits help ensure there are no problems creeping in that you may not know about, such as cavities or gum disease.
Dental Hygiene Practices at Home
The general recommendation is to brush twice per day for at least two minutes per session; this is the same guidelines for adults and children. By brushing at these intervals, you are getting rid of any built-up plaque on the teeth and preventing the formation of cavities. A great way of making brushing easier is to use one of the many free songs available online, most of which last exactly two minutes.
Brushing Techniques for Optimal Oral Care
You should hold the toothbrush at an angle, and use small, circular movements with the brush, making sure to clean each tooth.
Importance of Regular Flossing
You should floss once per day. Children should begin after they have developed adjacent teeth that touch. Following these flossing habits helps protect you and your child from gum disease and in keeping teeth healthy.
Using Mouthwash Effectively
Using mouthwash daily can help get rid of plaque and bacteria and anything your toothbrush may have missed. You should swish with mouthwash for 30 to 60 seconds, being sure not to swallow any. Mouthwash is a great way to help freshen your breath.
Tongue Cleaning for Fresh Breath
One important part of dental hygiene that many people do not know about is the need to brush your tongue. Just like brushing the teeth, if we do not brush the tongue, bacteria and germs can harbor there. This can increase the likelihood for gum disease and cavities.
Healthy Diet for Dental Health
Healthy teeth are extremely important for the overall health of both children and adults. Just like other parts of your body, teeth need to be maintained and stay healthy for a lifetime. One of the best ways you can give your child healthy teeth for a lifetime is by making sure they are eating a healthy diet.
Foods That Promote Dental Health
Luckily, there are a lot of healthy foods available to feed your child that can help keep their teeth healthy.
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Natural crunchy foods such as raw carrots, celery, and apples have a lot of fiber, which helps to scrub away bacteria.
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Encourage your child to drink plenty of water, rather than soda or fruit juice.
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Dairy products are full of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphates, which work to strengthen the teeth and help to protect from cavities.
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Nuts and seeds are great for remineralizing tooth enamel that may have been damaged due to tooth decay. |
Foods to Limit for Better Oral Hygiene
Having your child eat a healthy diet doesn't mean that you completely have to get rid of sugary snacks. It is ok every once in a while for your child to have that piece of birthday cake, a cookie, or a bit of candy. However, these sugary, empty-calorie snacks should not be a regular part of your child's daily eating routine.
Avoiding Common Dental Issues
Tooth decay and gum disease are among two of the most common dental issues. Regular oral care is crucial for prevention. Periodontal maintenance is available at our Madison, AL office for those who have late stages of gum disease.
Preventing Tooth Decay
You will be checked by our clinic's dentists to determine the best method for managing your tooth decay. Tooth decay, if not treated properly, may lead to the loss of the whole tooth.
As a consequence, it is important to seek the advice of a dentist in order to correct the situation and attain optimal oral health. Our dentists at Singing River Dentistry will make certain that you get the best filling experience possible so that your teeth may be restored to their natural shape and function.
Tips to Prevent Gum Disease
One of the most common symptoms of gum disease is bleeding and swelling of the gums. When you notice bleeding occurring, it is best to keep brushing instead of stopping altogether. This will help to eliminate more of the bad bacteria and thus cause the bleeding to stop.
When the bleeding has stopped, you can resume your normal brushing and flossing routine. Just make sure to rinse and disinfect your toothbrush afterward to avoid recontamination of the bacteria.
This is only one reason why it is important to brush and floss regularly to prevent the bacteria from building up to these levels. If not removed regularly it will irritate the gums. This can result in discoloration or bleeding while brushing. If this is not dealt with, it can easily become gingivitis.
Protecting Against Tooth Sensitivity
While we always advise a dental appointment with us if you have sensitive teeth, while you're waiting to be seen at our office, you can start with a specially designed toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Always make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as well, and brush for two minutes both morning and night.
Resist the urge to brush too firmly or too hard; a gentle touch should be sufficient. Flossing can also help combat gum disease and prevent tooth decay and ward off dental sensitivity.
Dental Cleaning and Exam
We encourage patients to come see us for dental checkups every six months. Visiting us in these intervals is the ideal amount of time. This allows us to detect any concerns early and offer corrective advice to help prevent more serious problems. Extending visits to longer intervals can make you more susceptible to decay or the build-up of plaque. If you have gum disease or another condition, you may need to see the dentist more frequently.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Madison, AL Dentist Today!
If you would like to learn more about the best dental care tips for you and your family or are ready to schedule an appointment, then it is time to come see our team at Singing River Dentistry. You can schedule your appointment by calling our office at 256 - 562 - 4001.
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