Dental Health
Your dental health is more than just brushing your teeth and visiting the dentist every six months. The more you take care of your dental health, the more you take care of your overall health. From heart disease to gum disease, better oral hygiene habits are the key to preventing the worst-case scenarios.
What Causes Poor Dental Health?
Poor dental health in Elk Grove Village, IL, can be caused by any number of factors. Some people struggle with poor genetics, while others (particularly athletes) sustain physical trauma throughout their lives. In many cases, though, dental health can be traced back to poor habits.
For instance, a diet high in sugar will give harmful bacteria the conditions it needs to multiply. The more bacteria build-up, the more plaque and tartar you’ll have. Eventually, plaque and tartar can start eating through the teeth and accumulate below the gumline. Smoking, diabetes, certain medications, hormones, and acid reflux can also all add to poor oral health.
What Does It Take to Keep Your Mouth Healthy?
You can take plenty of daily steps to keep your mouth as healthy as possible:
- Floss: You should ideally floss with traditional floss at least once daily. If you are unlikely to do this, you should invest in a water flosser or flossing picks to help remove trapped particles.
- Brushing: Use fluoride toothpaste, and brush for at least two minutes twice daily. The more thorough you are with brushing, the less likely you are to get cavities.
- Diet: Limit your sugar intake and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, just a few swaps can make a marked difference in your oral and overall health.
- Smoking: Tobacco does more than stain your teeth. Whether you’re chewing or smoking it, it’s likely to increase your risk of oral cancer.
- Dentists: You should visit your dentist at least twice yearly for a standard cleaning. You may also require periodontal cleanings, which go deeper into the pockets of your gums to remove any accumulated debris.
- Specialists: From root canals to orthodontists, you may need additional services outside the general dentist. Having a good relationship with your provider can make getting the recommendation you need to take care of everything easier.
Benefits of Better Dental Health
The most obvious benefit of better dental health is that you will likely keep your teeth strong and healthy for your entire life. Of course, this is far from the only advantage of taking time out of your day to care for your mouth. Not only will you avoid discomfort and pain, but you can potentially prevent anything from dry mouth to chronic bad breath.
When a dentist examines you, they’re looking at your teeth and gums but also inspecting your tongue, cheeks, jaw, and throat. This is because your health is much more interconnected than you may realize. When a tooth infection can escape into the bloodstream and wreak havoc in the rest of your body, better dental health is not negotiable.
Find a Dentist in Elk Grove Village, IL
If you’re looking for a dentist in Elk Grove Village, Schumer Family Dental Care is here to help. Our team understands the value of dental health and can tell you more about the best ways for you (yes, you!) to achieve it. Whether you’re prone to cavities, gum disease, or tooth grinding, we can give you the best possible advice to keep dental issues at bay.
