The health of your oral cavity relies on you and your dental practitioner. To avoid dental treatments that go way beyond your budget, there are certain things that you can do. Below is a list of tasks that may sound too simple and obvious but are oftentimes overlooked. Note that there may be other treatments that your dentist may recommend on top of these tips to better dental health.
1. Better eating habits reduce the possibility of getting cavities
Cavities are formed because of the bacteria that coat your teeth. If you eat too much sugary food, the bacteria would digest the sugar and in the process, produce a form of acid that weakens the tooth enamel. If damage to the enamel is already extensive, cavities occur.
So to promote better dental health is to watch out for the amount of sugar in your diet. You can do this by reading the labels for added sugars. Some of the most common sources of added sugar include cookies, candies, softdrinks and pastries.
2. Oral piercings are not fun – at all
There is a craze for body piercings, particularly in the oral cavity. Such trend worries dentists all over the world because it causes several dental problems such as chipped and/or fractured teeth, periodontal diseases, and infection. Although it is difficult to put a halt to such practice, researchers in Australia found a better solution.
If you are concerned about the state of your dental health, do not use steel and titanium studs. This is because according to studies, steel and titanium promotes the growth of harmful bacteria that stick to the stud. Overtime, this could lead to staph infections, damage to fillings and even to the extent of nerve damage.
3. Eat your candies in one sitting
As parents, we fear dental problems to affect our children early in life; that’s why we end up giving them rations for their sweet treats. But dentists say that the frequency of eating food loaded with added sugar influences the formation of cavities. And since the process of cavity formation begins with pH imbalance, rationing out candies can lead to the pH balance in your child’s mouth taking longer to go back to normal; thus, making him more prone for cavities.
4. Correcting cross bites
A crossbite is a condition characterized by the uneven width of the upper and lower jaws. If left untreated, it could lead to pain in the facial muscles and jaw. But instead of spending hundreds of dollars on removable appliances like the expansion plate, dentists believe that the easiest and most cost-efficient solution is to use a fixed appliance like the Quad Helix.
Fixed appliance requires that treatment be done 24 hours a day and under the supervision of adults. Since this is a more direct and efficient way of treating crossbites, it is recommended that it be done early in life to promote better dental health as the child grows.
5. An electric toothbrush cleans better than a manual brush
This may be a bit obvious but really, it’s significant to oral health should be emphasized. When an electric brush is used, the bristle movement removes more plaque from your teeth and is more effective in improving your gum’s overall health. If given with a range of choices, choose the brush that comes with a rotating-oscillating head.
It is worth noting that if you take your dental health for granted, you are exposing yourself to more risks of chronic disease and possibly, a reduced quality of life. So visit a family dentist today by calling 504-885-0467 for an appointment. You may also email Creative Smiles Dental at [email protected].
