Oral Hygiene

We at Pure Smiles, are big believers in the advantages of excellent oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene practices can produce a dazzling smile, fresh breath, and a squeaky-clean mouth. These things not only suggest good oral health, but they also make positive first impressions when you meet people. However, it can be challenging to maintain this type of oral health.

Obviously, oral hygiene isn’t just about a beautiful smile. It’s also about keeping your mouth and your whole body healthy. You can do a lot of this by brushing and flossing regularly, but it is also important to maintain regular visits with your dentist.

Keeping Up Your Oral Health

When you come in for a regular checkup, your dentist will look for any potential issues and offer suggestions that will aid in preventative care. In between these visits, you can keep your teeth and gums clean and disease-free with an established routine of good oral hygiene.

Daily Brushing & Flossing

It is imperative that you thoroughly brush your teeth and least twice each day. You should also floss your teeth a minimum of once each day. These two important habits will remove much of the plaque from your teeth and gums. The bacteria found in plaque turns sugars into acids. This then attacks the enamel of the tooth and produces tooth decay. There are some bacteria that will also produce gum diseases such as gingivitis.

Fluoride

Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the enamel of your teeth. It has also proven to be essential in the development of children’s teeth. It is known to prevent tooth decays for kids and adults alike. While some municipalities put fluoride in the local water supply, it is still recommended to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. If your dentist feels that more fluoride is needed, he can apply it directly to your teeth during your regular exam.

Limit Snacking

Give your mouth a break from the sugary attacks that promote decay-causing bacteria. When you eat regularly between meals, the acid that is produced by these bacteria is constantly attacking your teeth.

Use a Mouth Rinse

While mouth rinses can mask bad smells or bad tastes in your mouth for a period of time, they can also be a benefit to the overall health of your mouth. Many of the mouth rinses that can be purchased at your local drugstore are primarily for “cosmetic” purposes. However, therapeutic rinses contain anti-cariogenic and anti-bacterial elements. The use of these types of rinses has been demonstrated to help control plaque bacteria and also help prevent the development of cavities.

Stop Using Tobacco

All tobacco products, smoked or smokeless, greatly raise your level of risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Of course, this is in addition to the fact that these products cause heart disease and lung cancer. If you are struggling with the use of tobacco products, let us help you quit.

Regularly Examine Your Mouth

By regularly caring for and examining your oral health, you will get to the point that you can quickly identify any concerning changes in your mouth. You may notice a newly-chipped tooth, swollen or red gums or unusual sores. If you discover something new or concerning, you should let us know right away. Early diagnosis and treatment will always provide the options for fixing the problem with less pain and expense.

Our team is passionate about educating you and helping you to maintain excellent health for your teeth and gums. By keeping a dedicated oral hygiene routine and maintaining regular office visits, you have a strong likelihood of having excellent oral health throughout your life! A great first step on your smile journey is by visiting your dentist. If you live in the Pataskala, OH community, contact our office today to get started on working towards the smile of your dreams!

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