Oral Care and Hygiene
 Having healthy teeth begins in utero and continues daily for your entire life. Good oral care takes diligence and the development of a hygiene routine. At Sylvan Heights Dental, we can improve your oral health and discuss treatments and tips to help you have continued health. Creating a plan to increase your oral care and hygiene includes the following. Scheduling Regular Cleanings and ExamsYour dental cleaning and exam are important. Too often we only see patients when they are experiencing pain. Your dental cleaning appointment allows our hygienist the opportunity to remove plaque and hardened calculus, and to track and measure your gum pockets to assess gum disease. Your dental exam lets us spot problems, small or large. We do a visual examination as well as review digital x-ray images. During this time, we hope to catch issues before they become problems. Creating a Home RoutineRegular brushing and flossing your teeth is an incredibly important step in your oral healthcare. We promote brushing twice a day, with your evening brushing being of high importance. Before you retire to bed each night, brush and floss your teeth thoroughly to remove plaque, bacteria and debris. To do this effectively, we ask patients to consider their mouths in four quadrants and brush each quadrant for 30 seconds, or a total of two minutes. After brushing, clean between your teeth with floss. Form the flossing thread into a letter c shape and use it to scoop between your teeth. Following flossing, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove any remaining particles. Your morning brushing does not require the same level of care, a simple brushing can brighten and freshen your breath. Preventive CareWe offer treatments to help you have healthier teeth. We can provide a fluoride treatment to help remineralize your teeth and thicken the enamel walls. We can also help patients at an increased risk of developing tooth decay protect their teeth with dental sealants. Orthodontic CareSome oral health issues will require orthodontic care to treat. Tooth placement, including overcrowding, can create space for bacteria to hide and create problems. DietYour diet matters. We frequently advise patients to drink more water and to avoid sugar. Tooth decay begins with bacteria, but it's the feeding on sugars that cause caries and cavities. Sugar is often overly consumed by many. Sugar is in more than just treats, it's in breads, pastas, fruit, juices and more. Learning where sugar can be found and how to avoid it can greatly benefit the health of your teeth. Avoid Bad HabitsHabits such as smoking tobacco, marijuana and more is bad for your oral health. The heat of smoking dries your mouth and doesn't allow your natural cleaning process of saliva to do its job. Similarly, the consumption of alcohol may kill some bacteria (not as much as you think because it doesn't stay in your mouth for long) but it also dries your saliva reducing the effects of your natural cleaning. Schedule an AppointmentIf you're ready to schedule an appointment with Sylvan Heights Dental, give us a call at (503) 297-1471 today! |
