Your oral hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your dental health. There are many areas of your life that can affect your dental wellbeing; brushing and flossing, regular check ups with your dentist and your diet.

Preventing future dental health problems can mean that you are more likely to keep your natural teeth and save money on extensive restorative dental treatments.

One health problem is gum disease and today this can be easily treated however if not caught in time, can lead to receding gums and the loss of the affected natural teeth. Gingivitis and chronic periodontal disease can occur if your oral hygiene is not assessed on a regular basis, when plaque and calculus are removed from your teeth.

Plaque is caused by bacteria in your mouth producing acids. Many types of food can do this and not just sugary ones like sweets and biscuits. If you snack on a regular basis and do not brush your teeth, acid could be attacking your teeth all day long. Regular acid attacks will lead to the build up of plaque and tooth decay.

Plaque can also produce a substance that irritates your gums, making them sore and prone to bleeding. If this is not treated quickly it can inflame the gums away from the teeth, leading to the bone around your teeth being destroyed and ultimately the loss of your natural teeth through gum disease.

 
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

A routine that as adults, we take for granted as it is something we have done every day for most of our lives. As children, we may see it as a chore. However you see brushing and flossing your teeth, it should be considered the most important part of your daily routine.

Correct brushing and flossing at home will assist in reducing plaque and therefore, decay. It is often easy to skim over your teeth, thinking that they ‘feel clean enough’ as you need those few extra minutes to get to work. Stop! There is a technique that you should be using that will allow your toothbrush to massage both your teeth and gums, cleaning thoroughly and comprehensively. This combined with flossing regularly will end with a result that not only feels clean but is clean and healthy.

REGULAR VISITS TO THE DENTIST

How often do you visit the dentist? Most people should visit the dentist every 6 months however this is normally decided by your dentist, depending on your current dental health.

Even if you are brushing and flossing perfectly, you will find there are areas that can only be reached through a professional clean. In addition to this, a dentist can check for other problems that may be appearing in your mouth. Regular visits mean that any problems can be addressed straight away before turning into a larger problem.

When you first visit Central Dental, we will not only assess your dental health but also make sure we have all the necessary x-rays and extensive notes to make sure we know all there is to know about your current and previous health. The more we know, the better chance we have of understanding your individual needs and requirements.

DIET

A major cause of dental health problems is your diet. As previously mentioned, certain foods contain an acid that if not cleaned off your teeth will start the process of plaque, decay and ultimately disease and tooth loss.

Snacking in between meals can contribute to the build up of plaque on your teeth as you are less likely to brush your teeth after a snack. During meals, more saliva will be produced to help rinse food from your teeth however we recommend that you try and brush your teeth after each meal, when possible.

DENTAL HEALTH

Fluoride, in proper dosage, has been shown to significantly reduce dental decay.  When fluoridated water has less than the ideal amount or is not available, fluoride supplements are recommended. 

When supplements are needed, the administration of fluoride supplements should begin shortly after birth and continue through the time of eruption of the second permanent molars (approx. 12 years of age).

Regular dental check-ups should begin no later than 18 months of age.

Understanding your dental health will help you for life as it will put you on the path to good oral hygiene for both you and your family.

BABIES & DECAY

Understanding the best way to feed your child can be one of the many daunting experiences that occur when you become a parent. The soothing nature of a bottle normally helps to calm your baby but at the same time, if used inappropriately, can introduce yet another parenting challenge- baby bottle tooth decay. Leaving your baby with a bottle at night may mean that they settle themselves however the contents of that bottle can lead to devastating tooth decay problems in the newly erupted teeth. Early recognition and intervention are essential to a successful treatment of this problem.

GINGIVITIS

This is one of the most common untreated infections in the gums. It does not necessarily have pain associated with it to start with therefore it can be ignored. An unpleasant smell may start to appear, followed by bleeding and redness from the gums however some people may not think this is something that needs treating. Ultimately, if problems in your mouth are using your immune systems resources on a regular basis, the rest of your general health will suffer. Gingivitis is caused by plaque forming at the base of the visible tooth, caused by food debris and bacteria growing and not being cleaned away through effective brushing and flossing. Once this hardens it turns into calculus(tartar) it no longer can be removed just through brushing. If not addressed correctly, the pockets in your gums that this has caused will lead to more severe problems, such as periodontal disease.

 PERIODONTAL DISEASE

A more serious problem in your dental health, periodontitis is an infection that if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal means ‘around the tooth’ and therefore relates not only to the gums but also the bone structure that holds the tooth in place. As gingivitis progresses, the supporting gum and bone around the tooth begins to shrink away.

the pockets that have been created through the formation of plaque increase in size, the infection deepens and more bone and gum tissue are destroyed. Although the symptoms can often be seen as being mild, the teeth will eventually become loose and may have to be removed.

There are also other factors, as well as plaque, that can add to the detrimental affect on your teeth and gums.

Smoking
You are probably aware that smoking and tobacco use is linked to many serious illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, heart disease to name just a few. However many people don’t know that smoking and tobacco users are also at an increased risk of periodontal disease.

Pregnancy
Your body changes in the most amazing ways during pregnancy to cope with the growth and development of your baby. These hormonal changes can affect many of the tissues in your body, including your gums. During pregnancy, your gums will have an increased reaction to plaque and bacteria and therefore become more susceptible to gum disease. Studies have shown that a woman with gum disease is more likely to deliver a preterm, low weight baby. That is why it is imperative to brush frequently, effectively and visit your dentist regularly.

Medication
Some drugs that are prescribed to help other parts of your overall health can affect your oral health. During your initial examination with your dentist, we will ask if there are any medications that you are taking. Knowing this information will help us understand if your dental health is deteriorating and why.

Diabetes
Diabetes alters the levels of sugar in the blood and affects many Australians every year. People with diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing infections, including periodontal disease. In addition to this, if an infection occurs, it becomes more difficult to manage the insulin levels in your body.

Poor Nutrition
A diet that does not encourage the correct nutrients compromises the body’s ability to fight off infection. Poor nutrition levels can worsen the condition of your gums, therefore allowing a serious disease such as periodontal disease to thrive.

If you would like to discuss your oral hygiene with us further, we are happy to answer your questions. Remember, prevention is better than cure so call us today on 3343 2100.