You may not have heard many people cite better oral health as a New Year’s resolution, which is a shame because there are many benefits to healthy teeth and gums that extend beyond a great smile.
Good dental health can protect against several health issues, ranging in severity from cavities to heart disease, so any effort you make to boost your oral health is important. Not to mention, these efforts can save you considerable time and expense down the road if you have to replace missing teeth, fill in cavities, etc.
With that in mind, we asked the team of oral health experts here at Willow Glen Dental Specialists what they wished every patient would do when it comes to oral hygiene, and here’s their wishlist.
Though we don’t enjoy using scare tactics to motivate our patients, we do want you to understand the results of poor oral hygiene.
The reality is that 42% of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease, and 90% of adults have tooth decay. More alarming still, one in 10 American adults aged 65 to 74 has no teeth.
What each of these common conditions can lead to isn’t confined to infections and tooth loss, as they can also contribute to heart disease. There’s even some evidence that gum disease may be tied to Alzheimer’s disease.
Even if we leave these more serious conditions off the list, simply dealing with cavities or tooth loss can be expensive and time-consuming, which makes preventive practice an excellent choice.
Let’s start with some basics, namely, how you’re taking care of your teeth and gums at home. All too often, life gets busy, and we tend to rush through those things that are pretty much on autopilot, such as brushing and flossing.
This year, we want you to really review your dental habits and make sure that they're solid and include:
We also want you to refocus on brushing. For starters, it shouldn't be a quick scrub job, which can damage your protective enamel. Instead, we want you to gently, but thoroughly, brush your teeth for about two minutes per brushing.
You should also review your tooth-cleaning tools and update them — you should only purchase soft-bristle toothbrushes and make sure to swap them out regularly, about three to four times a year.
Aside from diligent at-home care, another important piece in the oral health puzzle is ensuring your teeth and gums are being monitored and cared for by professionals, such as our team here.
One of the best ways to prevent gum disease and tooth decay is through your twice-annual professional cleanings. As well, during your dental exam, which we can combine with your cleaning, we can take X-rays to spot any brewing issues, namely cavities. This early intervention allows us to avoid far more serious, long-term concerns.
Lastly, we want you to avoid a few habits that can really damage your oral health, including:
With a little care and TLC, you can support your teeth and gums this year and beyond, giving you something to really smile about.
If you want to start your new year off right, from an oral health perspective, kickstart your efforts by scheduling a teeth cleaning or dental exam, giving you a great baseline. To get that ball rolling, please contact our office in San Jose, California, at 408-478-9081 or request your appointment using our convenient online form.
