Maintaining your oral health is important for ensuring that your smile looks its best and your overall health remains intact. March 6 is National Dentist Day. Dr. Ty Eriks, DMD, from Eriks Dental Group offers comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages in Boynton Beach, FL.
Dr. Eriks recommends biannual dental exams and dental cleanings. At your visit, he will examine your teeth and gums and offer treatment suggestions. At a dental cleaning, we will review how you brush and floss to give you tips on how to remove plaque and food debris more effectively from your mouth.
What Happens During A Dental Exam?
Dental exams clean teeth to help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. Dental x-rays allow a dentist to see things that may not be detectable with a physical exam alone.
After reviewing the x-rays, your teeth and gums will be examined. Your bite will be looked at next to see how your top and bottom teeth fittogether. If any problems are detected, you may referred to an orthodontist.
Your dentist also will check for oral cancers, looking for lumps in the mouth or on the tongue. After examining you, they will offer you treatment suggestions, such as fillings or root canal therapy, to name a few.
You may need more frequent dental exams if you have any of the following:
- YIf you have a history of cavities
- If you have a A family history of oral health issues
- If you hHave a health condition that increases your risk of dental problems like diabetes, HIV, or heart disease
What Happens During A Dental Cleaning?
At a dental cleaning, a custom approach will be created for each patient depending on their particular oral health and concerns.
There are many steps to a dental cleaning:
- Medical History: First, we will learn about your health, any medications you’re taking, and any prior oral health issues or surgeries you’ve had.
- Dental exam/x-rays: During a dental exam, a dentist looks at your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. X-rays give them insight into what they can’t see with the naked eye.
- Prophylaxis: This part of your cleaning is when plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth. Both invite bacteria, and produce acids in your mouth that are damaging to your teeth and gums. A dental hygienist will scale these materials from the teeth to help reduce your risk of tooth decay.
- Gum Disease Evaluation: A hygienist will evaluate a patient for gum disease during a routine dental cleaning. They record periodontal measures of the spaces between the teeth and gums so they can detect gum disease. These measurements are used to compare progress after each cleaning to see if you are improving or worsening.
- Fluoride: This preventive service strengthens the teeth and protects against cavities. It’s recommended for children, but teenagers and adults can also benefit from it if they have a history of cavities.
- Oral Hygiene Tips: Lastly, you will be given tips to brush and floss effectively. Your dentist may also suggest products to use, like a certain mouthwash, to help you maintain your oral health from home.
Dental cleanings are recommended twice yearly. However, those with gum disease or other oral health problems may benefit from more frequent cleanings.
At-Home Oral Hygiene FAQs
Knowing how to take care of your teeth and gums well from home can be confusing for some. Here we will dive into the most frequently asked questions for oral hygiene:
Should I Floss Or Brush My Teeth First?
It doesn’t matter whether you brush or floss your teeth first. What matters the most is that you do both oral hygiene tasks daily. Flossing is often recommended first, as it helps loosen plaque between the teeth and removes food particles from between the teeth that brushing can’t do on its own.
Ultimately, when you remove plaque that causes tooth decay, you help improve your oral health. The order in which you brush and floss is your own choice. It’s important to focus on getting your teeth and gums as clean as you can.
How Do I Brush My Teeth Correctly?
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day with an ADA-acceptable fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every few months or whenever its bristles begin to fray.
To brush properly, at a 45-degree anglemove your toothbrush back and forth to brush the inner, outer, and chewing sides of the teeth. Brush each of the four quadrants of your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds, focusing on your gums. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, as it is where harmful bacteria lie, which can cause tooth decay.
How Does My Diet Affect My Oral Health?
Your diet influences your oral health. A dentist will suggest that you limit foods high in sugar or acid, as they can erode your tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity. A balanced diet will help prevent gum disease well.
When your enamel is eroded, it allows a cavity to develop. Tooth decay occurs when sugar reacts with bacteria in the plaque on teeth. This is why it’s important to have regular dental exams and dental cleanings before erosion can start.
What Are Some Healthy Foods For My Teeth & Gums?
An anti-inflammatory diet is ideal for healthy gums. Healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and fatty fish are best. Choose healthy snacks with low acid content, like low-fat cheese, raw vegetables, yogurt, and nuts.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Achieve Optimal Oral Health With Regular Dental Exams And Cleanings
To maintain your oral health, you should schedule regular dental exams and cleanings with a dentist in Boynton Beach, Florida. Eriks Dental Group offers compassionate dental services that ensure that your teeth and gums are both looking and feeling their best. To schedule this important dental visit, call our office at 561-733-4004.