General Dentistry Tips for Good Oral Health

The next time you visit your general dentistry office, ask for tips related to good oral health. Your dentist will be happy to share trade secrets to ensure you are giving your teeth and gums the best care possible. The fact is, these secrets are not secrets at all; your dentist wants you to know these tips because of the importance of your oral health to your overall well-being.

What are the most important general dentistry tips for oral hygiene?

The more information you have, the better job you will do in caring for your smile. Here are the top tips from the dental profession on maintaining good oral health.

Avoid sugars and starches

While sugary food and beverages are well-known culprits when it comes to cavities, starches are a problem as well. Found in bread, rice, corn, potatoes, and other items, starch contains bacteria-feeding sugars.

Brush your teeth

Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but it is just as critical to brush with proper technique for a sufficient amount of time. A soft-bristled brush is needed to gently remove debris from the tooth's surface. Brushing should occur in small circles, focusing on the tops, fronts, and backs of each tooth. Two minutes is the recommended amount of time to do a good job with this. If you are able to brush after every meal, that is ideal. However, experts say that twice a day is sufficient: in the morning to remove the overnight plaque buildup, and at night to remove food particles and bacteria that have accumulated during the day.

Floss regularly

Sometimes people think that brushing their teeth twice a day is enough to prevent cavities without flossing. General dentistry says this is incorrect. One-third of the tooth's surface is missed by the toothbrush, which cannot fit in the spaces between teeth.

Use fluoride

Tooth enamel is comprised of mineral crystals that maintain the hardness of the tooth's surface. When bacteria and sugar mix, acids are produced that destroy the crystals. Fluoride is needed to build up the mineral crystals and harden the enamel. Most sources of tap water contain fluoride, but general dentistry professionals recommend supplementing with a fluoride toothpaste or fluoride rinse.

Look at your tongue

The color and appearance of your tongue holds valuable information about your overall health. White patches on the tongue may indicate excess bacteria, which tends to collect in taste buds and other pits in the tongue. White patches are also a symptom of thrush, which is common for those on antibiotics. A striped or webbed appearance of the tongue could be a sign of oral cancer risk.

Do not ignore pain

Pain in your mouth is likely a symptom of a problem, so pay a visit to your general dentistry office when you experience pain. Even if it subsides or occurs intermittently, the underlying issue is usually still there. Be aware that oral pain may be a sign of cavities, gum disease, or an abscessed tooth, but it could also be something more sinister.