Good Dental Hygiene Benefits That Might Surprise You

Tulsa dentalYou are probably aware of the many products available to help you maintain a great smile and healthy teeth. But many people aren’t aware how their dental health can impact overall health. You should do everything you can to help your teeth look great, and allow your dentist to perform needed procedures to support your oral health as well as your overall well-being.

The Obvious Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene 

A good oral hygiene regimen coupled with visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning and exam can produce great results such as:

Decay prevention – There are other things that come into play here. The foods we eat and beverages consumed can contribute to cavity formation. Limit sugary snacks and drinks; and rely on water as your source of hydration. Drinking tap water offers the extra benefit of fluoride to help keep dental enamel strong.

Control problems associated with gums – This can be anything from sensitivity, gum recession, and gingivitis to more serious problems like periodontitis. Any discomfort or problems like bleeding gums, loose teeth, or chronic bad breath should signal the need to see your dentist right away.

Keeping your biological teeth – This is always a much better option than dealing with the inconvenience and cost of tooth replacement. Tobacco users are much more likely to experience gum disease resulting in tooth loss than non-users.

Not-so-Obvious Benefits 

Many people are not aware how closely associated their oral health is to their overall condition. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are just a few of the illnesses that are continually researched to understand how oral health impacts their presence and vice versa.

Removing harmful dental plaque and tartar is key to maintaining healthy gums and limiting dental decay. The only way to remove tartar is with a cleaning by your dental provider. So regular dental appointments are important for people of all ages.

Oral cancer is very treatable if caught early. With each dental exam, your dentist performs what could be a life saving oral screening. If anything suspicious is noticed, further testing may be recommended such as a biopsy of the questionable lesion.

A great smile is an asset; healthy teeth and gums are a necessity … you can have both with a good oral hygiene program that involves brushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste; flossing once a day; and twice yearly visits with our team at Howl Dental.