Tips To Improve Your Dental Hygiene
October is Dental Hygiene Month. Dental hygiene is often a forgotten aspect of our health, resulting in nearly one-third of seniors with untreated tooth decay. This month is dedicated to understanding the importance of dental hygiene and ways to improve your oral health to reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health-related conditions.
Why Is Dental Hygiene Important?
Your dental hygiene is part of your physical health. Ignoring your dental hygiene can lead to various oral health concerns like tooth decay, oral infections, gum disease, or oral cancer. There’s also evidence that poor oral health can contribute to heart disease and pneumonia because of infections caused by oral bacteria.
Improving Your Dental Hygiene
Your dental hygiene can affect many aspects of your overall health, but there are steps you can take to improve your dental hygiene and reduce your risk of oral health-related conditions.
Brush, Floss, And Mouthwash Daily
The best way to manage your dental hygiene is to brush, floss, and use mouthwash daily. Brushing removes plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a bacteria buildup that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Try brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the tooth enamel and make it harder for plaque to decay.
Flossing helps remove plaque between teeth, but flossing is challenging for many older adults, especially those with arthritis. You’ll want to floss at least once a day for best results. If you have trouble flossing, consider using a dental pick, floss holder, or water flosser.
As for mouthwash, look for a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen the tooth enamel. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for a mouthwash without alcohol, which causes the mild stinging often associated with mouthwash.
Clean Your Oral Tools
Harmful bacteria can accumulate on your oral tools, such as your toothbrush. This bacteria can lead to infections, causing pain, bleeding of the gums, and bad breath. Bacteria can also live on your dentures, mouthguards, and other oral tools or accessories you may use. Ensure you’re regularly cleaning or replacing those tools to reduce the risk of bacteria-related infections and conditions.
Visit Your Dentist
It’s normal to have anxiety around visiting the dentist, but your dentist visits are essential to your overall dental hygiene. Dentists deep clean the teeth and gums, removing any plaque buildup that isn’t getting removed from brushing and flossing alone. Dentists can also treat and prevent common oral health conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Personal Care And Transportation With Visiting Angels
Your dental hygiene is an essential part of your overall health, but brushing, flossing, and other grooming routines may become challenging with age. Visiting Angels helps seniors meet their care needs by offering personal care services to help with daily activities like dressing, showering, and toileting. Caregivers also offer transportation, so you never have to worry about missing your dentist and doctor appointments.
Our Mobile office is a locally owned and operated agency working with seniors and families throughout the great Mobile area. If you live in Mobile, message us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about our personal care services.