Best Tips for Oral Health Month

Feeling like your dental routine could use a little something extra? Well, you are in luck! March is Oral Health Month and our team at Timber Kids Dentistry has been focused on spreading awareness of common oral diseases and the best ways to prevent them and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Common Oral Health Issues

Why do we put so much emphasis on good oral health and dental care? Because our mouths are the gateway to the rest of our bodies! When we neglect our teeth and gums it can affect our overall health and wellness. While dental issues can be common - most are preventable with good dental habits. Here are just a few:

• Cavities
• Tooth Decay (Caries)
• Gingivitis (curable)
• Periodontitis
• Total Tooth Loss
• Oral Cancer

Our 5 Top Tips for the Best Dental Health

Over the last month, we have compiled our best advice to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent the issues and diseases listed above. In many cases, dental issues can start small and subtle and grow into larger problems. Gingivitis, for example, occurs when dental hygiene is neglected and the gums become inflamed. This can cause bleeding, infection, and tooth loss. If Gingivitis is not addressed, it can progress to Periodontitis - an incurable disease that can lead to loss of teeth, jaw bone deterioration, and other more serious conditions. So - do your best to prevent this and more by:

• Brush, Brush, Floss. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice per day for two minutes each time and flossing daily. We agree with this but also encourage patients to discuss their unique dental health history with their dentist to determine if they need additional hygiene habits.
• Use the Right Tools. Many people think using firmer bristles will clean the teeth better, but in fact, toothbrushes with medium to hard bristles can damage your enamel! Stick with toothbrushes with soft bristles and incorporate flossing to get the 'gunk' out of the hard to reach corners and tight spaces of the mouth. Be sure to use a new toothbrush every three months or after any illness to avoid bacteria.
• Add Fluoride. The water we drink usually contains fluoride, a vital mineral that helps strengthen our enamel and protect our teeth against cavities, but it is typically not enough. Fluoride is not just for children! When buying toothpaste or mouthwash, make sure to choose products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance that list fluoride as an ingredient.
• Avoid Sugar. This is a great tip for general wellness, not just for your teeth. Sugar can wreak havoc on our health by causing insulin resistance, weight gain, liver disfunction, brain fog, cancers, and more. As dentists, 'sugar' is a bad word in our world. Bacteria that causes cavities, tooth decay, and the conditions we talked about before love sugar - so the more you eat, the more they feast... on your enamel and gums! If you eat less, even by cutting out soda, you will be on your way to better dental and overall health.
• Establish a Regular Dental Routine. Routines are the best way to achieve success in virtually any area of life. Establishing a good dental routine that includes daily brushing and flossing and bi-yearly dental wellness exams will contribute greatly to your oral health.

Start Your Children Off Right with a Pediatric Dentist in Oregon

Teaching your child these oral health habits when they are young will set them up for a healthy lifestyle as they grow. While we only featured 5 tips for better dental health, we would love to help teach your children the best ways to keep their teeth shiny, bright, and healthy! Schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists today at one of our convenient central Oregon locations!