5 Steps To Good Oral Health

 As part of a healthy lifestyle and to help reduce the risk of oral disease, follow these 5 steps to good oral health.

 1. See your dentist regularly

  • Regular checkups and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent problems or to stop small problems from getting worse.

     

  • Your dentist will look for signs of oral disease. Oral diseases often go unnoticed and may lead to or be a sign of serious health problems in other parts of the body.

     

  • Only your dentist has the training, skill and expertise to diagnose and treat oral health diseases and to meet all your oral health care needs.

     

2. Practise good oral hygiene

  • Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease (gum disease).

     

  • Floss every day. If you don’t floss, you are missing more than a third of your tooth surface.

3. Eat a well-balanced diet

  • Healthy food is good for your general health and your oral health. The nutrients that come from healthy foods help you to fight cavities and gum disease.

     

  • Avoid excess sugar. It is one of the main causes of dental problems.

     

4. Check your mouth regularly 

  • Look for warning signs of periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. The warning signs include:

     

    • Red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums

       

    • Bleeding when you brush or floss

       

    • Bad breath that won’t go away.

       

  • Look for warning signs of oral cancer. The 3 most common sites for oral cancer are the sides and bottom of your tongue and the floor of your mouth. The warning signs include:

     

    • Bleeding that you can’t explain

       

    • Open sores that don’t heal within 7 to 10 days

       

    • White or red patches

       

    • Numbness or tingling

       

    • Small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks or on your gums.

       

  • Report any of these warning signs to your dentist.

     

5. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco

  • Smoking and chewing tobacco are dangerous to your oral health and your overall health.

     

  • Tobacco use is a major cause of tooth loss through gum disease and may lead to serious problems like oral cancer.

     

  • Tobacco can cause heart disease and a variety of cancers.

     

If you take care of your teeth and gums at home and visit your dentist regularly, your smile should last you a lifetime.

© 2015 Alanya Dental Clinic