Maintaining Dental Health

Maintaining Dental Health

Dental health mirrors your overall health & its condition. Good oral hygiene and healthy teeth are important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. Poor dental health can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, teeth decay, bone loss, heart disease, and more. There is a limit till where you can take care of your teeth, rest of the maintenance is through regular dental check-ups by a dentist.

By visiting the Best Dental Clinic in South Delhi at 32 Strong, you can monitor your oral health and receive the best possible dental care for your needs. Our clinic offers a comprehensive range of dental treatments, including dental implants, root canal therapy, crowns, dental sealants, dentures, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, gap treatment, smile design, orthodontics, cavity fillings, all at an affordable cost. 

Benefits of maintenance treatment:

Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. Regular dental cleanings and check-ups, flossing daily and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease.

Dental Health Tips

Bad breath

Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition.  Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.

There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue.  Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.

What may cause bad breath?

  1. Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
  2. Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc.  Foods containing odour-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
  3. Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
  4. Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
  5. Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – May also contribute to bad breath.
  6. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
  7. Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
  8. Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketenes are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
  9. Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
  10. Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.

Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with you dentist.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

  1. Practice good oral hygiene – Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush.  Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline.  Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas.  Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.  If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.
  2. See your dentist regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year.  If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend more frequent visits.
  3. Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
  4. Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
  5. Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odour.  Ask your dentist about antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If it is determined that your mouth is healthy, but bad breath is persistent, your dentist may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.

Brushing & Flossing

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Plaque is a colorless sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.  The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into harder deposits called calculus (tartar).  If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
Tooth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night)

  1. Brushing technique: Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  2. Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  3. Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
  4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

  1. Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
  2. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  3. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Nowadays disposable floss with holders is also available. Ask your dentist about this.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist on its appropriateness for you.

To Detect Dental Problems Early

Your dentist and hygienist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.

To Have a Bright and White Smile

Your dental hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, your hygienist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile!

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Other reasons for a regular dental visit
As you can see, a good dental examination and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth.

  1. Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
  2. Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  3. Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  4. Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
  5. Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
  6. Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist may recommend more frequent visits in case Periodontal disease maintenance cases.

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