The Importance of Good Dental Hygiene

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The Importance of Good Dental Hygiene Taking
good care of your teeth is about much more than
just looking good. Poor or improper dental
hygiene can lead to much larger health issues
than just an unattractive smile. Other major
parts of your body, like your heart, can be
damaged by tooth decay and gum disease. Why are
good dental hygiene practices important? It has
been said that good oral health is the gateway to
good health overall. Dental issues like gum
disease and cavities can affect your ability to
speak or eat properly and cause pain and bad
breath. A lot of people may not even realize that
poor dental health can have extremely negative
effects on other areas of the body like your
heart, and can increase the side effects of
diabetes, chronic inflammatory diseases like
arthritis, and even cause pregnancy
complications, just to name a few. Several
studies suggest that the bacteria caused by gum
disease can travel to your heart, causing heart
disease, stroke or clogged arteries. Other gum
infections like periodontitis have been linked
to low-birth weight or premature births in
pregnant women. For people with diabetes, the
bodys resistance to infection is greatly reduced
making the gums much more susceptible to
infection, which in turn can adversely affect
blood sugar levels. Prevention should be the
main focus. Good oral hygiene practices result in
good oral hygiene helping to prevent these types
of dental problems and oral diseases. What are
the signs of serious oral problems? You should
see your dentist right away if you are
experiencing pain in the mouth, swelling inside
or outside of the mouth, bleeding gums, obvious
changes in the texture or color of the soft
tissues within the mouth, ulcers or blisters that
arent healing, or tenderness in the mouth. Each
of these symptoms could indicate serious, or
potentially serious conditions like chronic gum
disease or cancer of the mouth. Other issues
like broken teeth or an abscessed tooth may also
require e mergency dental care. How do you take
proper care of your teeth and gums? Maintaining
good oral hygiene practices go a long way in
reducing the chance of developing minor or
serious oral conditions. Some people may
regularly floss and brush, but dont realize
they are doing it incorrectly. This can also lead
to more serious issues later on. - Brushing One
of the most important dental hygiene practices is
brushing at least twice a day. This helps keep
the mouth, gums, and teeth healthy and clean. It
is best to use a fluoride based toothpaste as it
stimulates the gums helping to prevent cavities
and gum disease.
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• Flossing
• By properly flossing every day, you can reduce
  the chance of cavities developing between your
  teeth. Food and plaque build up in spaces between
  the teeth where toothbrushes cant reach. By
  setting a daily flossing routine, you can reduce
  the chances of cavities or gum disease
  developing from food and plaque buildup.
• Use fluoride treated water or toothpaste
• Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in rocks
  and soil that helps to prevent cavities. Over
  the last 75 years or so, small amounts of
  fluoride have been added to oral hygiene
  products, like toothpaste, to help strengthen gum
  enamel.
• Dental care treatment options
• There are several types of dental specialists to
  choose from based on your needs and the severity
  of any oral condition or disease you may have.
  These options include
• General dentistry
• General dentists are the go-to specialists for
  preventive oral care, treatments and procedures.
  These dentists do not specialize in any one
  specific area of dentistry. They provide routine
  teeth cleanings, fillings, tooth restorations,
  x-rays and fluoride treatments for all age
  ranges.
• Specialty dentistry
• Instead of providing a broad range of dental
  services, a dental specialist focuses on one
  specific area of dentistry. These specialists
  include oral and maxillofacial surgeons,
  orthodontists, endodontists, and periodontists.
• Pediatric dentistry
• Pediatric dentists at a Laval pediatric clinic
  specialize in treating babies and young children
  up through adolescence. It is recommended that
  babies begin seeing a dentist around the age of
  1, or within 6 months of their first tooth
  breaking through. Not only does this help
  prevent tooth decay and cavities in children, it
  also helps to establish a lifetime of good oral
  hygiene practices.
• Destination Dentaire is committed to maintaining,
  restoring and enhancing the beauty of your teeth
  using state-of-the-art, time-tested methods to
  help illuminate your face with a radiant smile.
  The dentists and hygienists at Destination
  Dentaire are convinced that prevention is better
  than cure, focusing on the early detection of
  dental problems, ranging from gingivitis to the
  beginning of the formation of caries. They ensure
  that their patients know how to avoid these
  problems from the outset. Book your appointment
  today!