Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits

How your family dentists in Albany, NY, can help you keep a healthy smile

Did you know that keeping good oral hygiene habits not only decreases your risk of tooth loss, but it also decreases your risk of general health issues such as heart disease, endocarditis, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease? Here at Rose Dental Associates in Albany, NY, your family dentists offer comprehensive care, including preventive treatments, to help you have both a healthy smile and overall system.

Dental problems including gum disease, periodontal disease, and tooth decay are caused by the bacteria in the plaque that clings to your teeth. The best way to prevent these dental problems is to limit the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. You do this by keeping good oral hygiene habits like these:

• Brushing your teeth after meals and before you go to bed; use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in a gentle, circular motion, covering all the surfaces of your teeth, and along the gum line. You should also gently brush your tongue, which is a common, overlooked place for bacteria to hide. Always use a toothpaste containing fluoride, to help strengthen your tooth enamel.
• Flossing at least once each day; make sure that you wrap the floss around each tooth as you floss down in between your teeth. When you wrap the floss around each tooth, it helps ensure the floss stays firmly against the tooth surface, to clean plaque more effectively.

In addition to keeping good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, it’s important to visit your family dentist for an exam and x-rays at least once each year. Regular visits to your family dentist ensure small dental issues don’t grow into large dental problems.

You should also visit your dental hygienist once every six months for a professional dental cleaning. Your dental hygienist is an expert at removing both soft and hard deposits like plaque and calculus, clinging to your teeth. You can also learn about the latest techniques and tools to keep your smile healthy at home, between appointments.

To learn more about how to keep good oral hygiene habits, talk with the experts: call Rose Dental Associates in Albany, NY, at (518) 456-7673. Call now, and protect the health of your smile!