Basic Dental Care in Hudson Valley

One of the best ways to take care of your physical health is to take good care of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Good oral hygiene should be an intrinsic part of your personal health habits, and this is supported by research. Statistics have shown a direct correlation between poor dental health and severe health problems such as stroke, dementia, and heart attacks. Whether or not you already have good oral hygiene, the following tips and techniques may help improve it.

Where Does Basic Dental Care Start?

Your basic dental care starts when you get up in the morning. Brush your teeth or use mouthwash before you eat or drink anything so that the bacteria in your mouth isn’t combined with your breakfast and distributed throughout your body. The American Dental Association suggests the following minimum habits to ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition and healthy:

• Brush twice daily at a minimum
• Always use toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Floss at minimum of once each day
• Get at least an annual dental exam and teeth cleaning from your dentist

Click here to schedule a dental exam and teeth cleaning.

Brushing Twice Daily

Brushing for any length of time is better than not brushing at all, but there are guidelines for brushing that can maximize its benefit. You should brush each quadrant for a minimum of 30 seconds to receive the best benefit from your brushing efforts. A quadrant is:

• The upper right side of your jaw
• The lower right side of your jaw
• The upper left side of your jaw
• The lower left side of your jaw

This will remove the maximum amount of plaque and food particles that remain in your mouth after eating. When you eat or drink anything except plain water, bacteria start to form, and if they’re not removed, they become plaque, which can only be removed by a dentist. If it’s not removed, then it becomes tartar and is the beginning of periodontal disease that will destroy your teeth and gums.

However, you must also use the correct toothbrush and proper brushing techniques. Brush in a circular motion with back-and-forth strokes, and always use gentle pressure. Using firm pressure can damage your tooth enamel so resist the urge to press down hard when you’re brushing. Although many people don’t brush their tongue, it’s a very good practice. The rough surface of your tongue can harbor lots of bacteria, and brushing can remove them. It can also provide you with fresher breath.

Toothbrush Basics

It doesn’t matter whether you use a manual or an electric toothbrush, but it should be sized correctly for your mouth and have soft bristles unless your dentist recommends otherwise. Make sure it also carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Replace your toothbrush every three months, but if you’ve been sick, replace it immediately when you’re well. If the bristles begin to splay or fray, then replace your toothbrush.

Toothpaste Basics

Most toothpaste is now fluoridated, but be sure that yours is. If not, select another brand. Most municipalities now fluoridate their water supply but don’t worry about getting too much fluoride. Municipal water is generally fluoridated to the minimum standards for health. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps fight cavities but if you’re concerned about it, talk to your Hudson Valley dentist.

Flossing

Flossing should be another component of your basic dental care regimen, and the ADA recommends that you floss at least once each day. Ideally, however, you should floss after each meal or snack since food particles can become lodged between your teeth and gums each time you eat. If you opt to floss only once each day, it should be just before you go to bed at night. That will prevent food particles from remaining in your mouth overnight and starting the decay process.

The type of floss you use doesn’t matter. Some people prefer traditional dental floss. Others prefer dental picks. Others prefer a water flosser. The style doesn’t matter as long as you floss. Traditional floss or dental picks are more portable, however, enabling you to floss on the go. If you need a recommendation, ask your dentist.

Mouthwash Basics

Mouthwash is a simple but significant method for improving your oral health, but be sure it carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Mouthwash can remove any residual bacteria that brushing and flossing missed and ensure you have fresh breath.

What Else Can I Do?

If you travel a lot or if you’re away from home during the day, consider buying travel-sized versions of your favorite dental care products so that you can maintain your good oral hygiene during the day. Remember, though, that even if you cannot use them during the day, you can always rinse your mouth well with plain water to help eliminate food particles and bacteria.

Your diet can play a significant role in your good dental health. Consider snacking on fruits and vegetables rather than sugary items like cookies, cake, and candy. The crunchy texture of fruits and vegetables has a cleansing action on your teeth and can help remove food particles. In addition, drinking plain water, although it may seem boring, is a significant improvement over sugar-laden drinks and may help your waistline as well as your teeth.

Does My Hudson Valley Dentist Offer Basic Dental Care Services?

Our Hudson Valley office provides a comprehensive list of basic dental procedures as well as other types of dentistry that includes:

• Regular dental checkups
• Teeth cleanings
• X-rays
• Comprehensive exams
• Oral cancer screening

Although your good dental hygiene regimen begins at home, it ends with your dentist. Regular checkups and cleanings are integral components of your good oral health, so if you haven’t had a cleaning and exam in a while, call our Hudson Valley office to schedule one. Many times, prospective problems can only be spotted by a professional, so even if you have excellent oral hygiene, you need a dental exam at least once yearly.

We Want to Help You…

If you need to schedule basic dental care such as a cleaning and an exam, or if you need any other dental services, call Family Dental Group at , and we’ll be happy to help you. For your convenience, you can schedule over the phone, in person, or online using our easy online appointment scheduler.

It’s easy to relegate your dental health to the bottom of the list when you have so much to do, but your dental health can adversely affect the health of your entire body, so don’t ignore it. Contact us today for an appointment or if you have any questions.

We look forward to speaking with you and working with you.