8117 Preston Road, Suite 170 | Preston Commons West | Dallas, TX 75225
214-369-9000

Dental Hygiene & Overall Oral Health

Oral diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, are largely preventable with conscientious oral hygiene habits. When patients combine a daily oral hygiene routine with semi-annual checkups and professional cleanings, the risk of oral health issues is drastically reduced.

Keep in mind that protecting your oral health doesn’t just benefit your smile. A healthy mouth truly is the gateway to a healthy body, and certain health conditions seem to correlate with poor oral health. Maintaining general wellness can be another motivation for paying attention to your oral hygiene.

Are you due for a checkup and cleaning? Do you have questions about your home oral hygiene routine? Schedule an appointment at our office to keep your oral health on track.

Importance Of Routine Dental Care

Some patients think that they don’t need to see a dentist unless they’re having some sort of symptom or issue that needs to be addressed. In reality, seeing a dentist for preventive care reduces the chances that you’ll experience oral diseases.

Even if you are committed to a daily oral hygiene routine, you still need to have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least every six months. Some parts of your smile are difficult for you to reach and clean thoroughly, and a hygienist has a better angle on cleaning those spots.

You also benefit from having a dentist examine your smile regularly. Any oral diseases that do develop can be diagnosed and treated early when interventions are most conservative and effective.

So, yes, even if you brush and floss every day, you still need to see your dentist at least twice a year. Patients who tend to accumulate plaque quickly may want to consider having cleanings at shorter intervals, as well.

Healthy Home Oral Hygiene Regimen

Of course, your professional care is just one element of fostering good oral health. Your day-to-day habits are just as instrumental in maintaining a healthy smile.

At a minimum, patients should:

  • Brush twice a day, for two minutes at a time
  • Floss daily, ideally immediately preceding one of the brushing sessions.

Some patients may also benefit from adding an anti-bacterial mouthwash to their routine. Ask Dr. Steel if this would be useful in your case.

Your tools and techniques matter, too. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush that is no more than 3-4 months old. Use a gentle touch while brushing and don’t overdo it, as aggressive brushing can actually harm your teeth.

If you have any questions about whether your home oral hygiene practices are adequate, you can always ask Dr. Steel when you are in the office or call and speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members.

Connections Between Oral Health And Overall Health

While having a beautiful smile is certainly appealing, there are other important reasons to preserve your oral health. A number of systemic health concerns, such as diabetes and heart disease, appear to have some relationship with oral health.

Oral cancer is another consideration for your oral and overall health. Routine dental exams include oral cancer screenings, and the prognosis for patients is much better when malignancies are identified before they have the chance to spread to other surrounding tissues, such as bone in the area.

You can see why taking care of your smile, both at home and by working with your professional dental team, benefits your whole body. It can even be a lifesaving measure!

Common Dental Hygiene Questions

What is dental hygiene?

Dental hygiene encompasses all of the actions that a patient takes to promote oral health and minimize the presence of harmful oral bacteria. It includes brushing and flossing, and in combination with preventive dental care, dental hygiene can prevent oral diseases that can lead to tooth loss and other health problems.

Does a dental cleaning hurt?

A dental cleaning shouldn’t hurt at all. The dental hygienist will use the gentlest touch possible to remove tartar buildup from the teeth using professional grade instruments. This process may be more time-intensive in patients who don’t brush and floss daily between dental appointments.  If you do experience any discomfort during the cleaning, be sure to alert the hygienist.

What kind of health problems can bad teeth cause?

While the exact mechanism is unclear, research has demonstrated a link between poor oral health and issues such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and problems with pregnancy. If you have bad teeth, you face a much greater risk for developing those conditions and vice versa.

How does poor oral hygiene affect health?

Poor oral hygiene can affect your health in many ways. If you’re not brushing and flossing daily and getting your professional cleanings every six months, you can accumulate plaque and tartar that are loaded with disease-causing bacteria. Those bacteria can attack the teeth, causing them to break down, and cause inflammation in the gum tissue. That inflammation appears to have ripple effects throughout your body, as well. Furthermore, advanced oral diseases can cause tooth loss, which compromises your ability to chew many healthy foods, especially fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.