Oral Health
Your Guide to Oral Health at Home in Glendale, WI
Our experienced team of dental professionals at Modern Touch Dental is committed to helping patients take full control over their oral health through preventive care, education, and guidance on home dental hygiene. We want to help you understand the importance of a consistent daily oral hygiene routine to prevent painful and uncomfortable problems like infection, decay, and gum disease. Our patient education and resources give you the personalized guidance and advice you need to protect your oral and overall health. If you can’t remember the last time, you visited the dentist, call us now to schedule a dental exam and learn more about your oral health in Glendale, WI.
What Is Dental and Oral Health, and Why Does It Matter?
Oral health is the overall condition of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and facial structures. Maintaining proper oral health can improve your ability to eat, speak, and smile, and will also reduce your risk of overall health issues and diseases like diabetes and heart disease. When you take control of your oral health, you can significantly lower your risk of:
- Bacteria, plaque, and tartar
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay and dental cavities
- Gingivitis and gum disease
- Oral infection
- Dental abscesses
- Receding gums
- Tooth damage
- Tooth stains and discoloration
- Loose, shifting, or misaligned teeth
- Tooth loss
Improving Oral Health at Home to Avoid Dental Problems
We will give you personalized tips to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine at home. This includes recommendations for home dental care products and tools, proper technique and timing, and recognizing signs of dental problems. Some of the ways you can improve your oral health and lower your risk of dental problems are:
- Brushing at least twice per day or after every meal
- Flossing at least once per day
- Using an alcohol-free antibacterial, anti-cavity, or fluoride mouthwash
- Drinking plenty of water
- Reducing your consumption of sugary and starchy foods
- Limiting your intake of caffeine, sugary, and acidic beverages
- Cutting down on your alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Protecting your teeth with a mouthguard when playing sports
- Wearing a night guard if you have bruxism, TMJ disorder, or sleep apnea
- Not chewing on or eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods
- Not using your teeth or mouth to open packages
- Not biting your nails
- Not chewing on ice, pens, or foreign objects
- Visiting the dentist every six months for a check-up and dental cleaning
- Getting an oral cancer screening as recommended by your dentist
The Importance of Dental Exams for Oral Health
A dental exam is an essential, preventive general dentistry service that protects your oral health. During a dental exam, we will look for early warning signs of problems. Without intervention, these issues could get bigger, more painful, and more dangerous. Then we will perform a professional dental cleaning to remove harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your teeth, which can lower your risk of tooth decay, dental cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. We will also ask you key questions about your health history, lifestyle, oral hygiene routine, and diet. This will help us assess your risk level for oral cancer, gum disease, and other issues. We can then make more targeted recommendations for home care and treatment.
Understanding the Dangers of Bad Oral Health
Poor oral hygiene can cause major problems that affect your oral and overall health. Some of the biggest risks of bad oral health include:
- Increased risk of systemic health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infection, kidney disease, cognitive decline, and pregnancy complications
- Possibility of pain and discomfort associated with toothaches, tooth decay and dental cavities, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity
- Increased risk of needing emergency dental care, such as a tooth extraction or restorative dental care
- Tooth stains and discoloration, and other aesthetic issues that could affect your self-esteem and confidence
- Social and relationship problems caused by bad breath and other dental issues
- Financial problems related to increased costs of dental care
Schedule a Dental Exam Now
Our experienced dental professionals at Modern Touch Dental can help maintain healthy teeth and gums in Glendale, WI. If you’ve noticed soreness, pain, or anything else making your teeth and mouth uncomfortable, give us a call or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We will do a thorough exam and consultation to evaluate your needs and create a personalized oral health plan that will improve your smile, confidence, and overall health.
FAQs About Oral Health and Hygiene
Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day. We recommend using a Sonicare toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of ADA-approved toothpaste. Let your toothbrush air dry following use.
Floss at least once a day to clean between your teeth. Generally, a floss string length of 18-24 inches is sufficient. Floss up and down from the tooth tip to the gumline.
Rinse daily with mouthwash to freshen breath and to help prevent or control tooth decay. We recommend using Listerine or any other ADA-approved rinse. Children under age six should not use a fluoride mouthwash.