The truth is most of us shy away when we need to deal with a dentist. It is a natural reaction for us to think of root canals, cavities and the enduring time of sitting on the dental chair. Why do we have to feel this way? Ironically, if we were to maintain good oral hygiene, chances are likely that we wouldn’t have such a painful trip to the dentist. Instead, it would be a smooth procedure that wouldn’t require any type of sedation dentistry.
In simple terms, good oral hygiene means healthy gums that don’t bleed, minimal bad breath and teeth that aren’t plagued with plaque. Practicing this proper hygiene is good for your health and will also cost you less. The less problems you have, the less money you will have to fork over. Following the steps below can make your dental trip less painful.
1. No matter how healthy your teeth are, it is vital that you brush at least twice a day. While you really should brush after every meal, two times a day will get rid of the food build up. For those hard to reach areas, you absolutely should floss. Deficiency in exercising your gums can trigger bacteria build up which can lead to swelling and bleeding.
2. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash is also very beneficial. It is important that you ask your dentist what kind you should be using. Depending on your age, different kinds may be recommended. For adults, any generic kind like Listerine® will be effective . Is the burning sensation irritable? An alcohol-free product such as Crest® Pro-Health mouthwash is recommended.
3. Surprisingly, your diet type can influence your teeth health. Poor eating habits and vegetable deficiency can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. By eating a balanced diet, you can actually decrease the risk of infection and reduce the risk of cavities. Common sense pays off – get rid of sugar!
4. You should visit your dentist at least two times a year. We all tend to put appointments off and try our very best to come up with the ultimate excuse. However, the longer you postpone the visit, the more likely you’ll have to pay (physically and financially). A good effort of maintaining clean teeth means a proactive way of responding to early cavity problems.
5. While you may think this one is a myth, chew sugar-free gum. You heard us correctly – we aren’t trying to trick you. Dentists will admit that a common ingredient found in gum, Xylitol, actually can reduce the accumulation of bacteria leading to tooth decay and other mouth related diseases. Chewing this after meals may significantly decrease your chances of having another cavity.
