Dental professional in Burr Ridge, IL describes the advantages of good oral hygiene habits

At the practice of Dr. Janet Stopka, patients in the Burr Ridge, IL area who are interested in maintaining a smile are urged to practice good oral hygiene. Our professionals, including our dental hygienists, encourage patients to make sure they follow the standards of care advised by their team to keep their smile looking great and lasting for many years!

What are the advantages of good oral hygiene?

When patients think of the benefits of taking care of their smile, they may only think of the preventative benefits such as avoiding cavities. However, there is much more related to the health of the smile than you may think! Here are several unexpected benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene:

• Improved gum health – cavities are not the only way a smile can be affected by poor oral habits. Patients who take good care of their smile will have better gum health and will avoid bacteria that can develop into damaging conditions such as periodontal disease.
• Reduced heart attack risks – periodontal disease is a condition that results in inflammation in the body, that can travel through the bloodstream via the oral systemic connection and can impact one’s overall health and wellness. This infection can spread to the heart and can contribute to an increased risk of heart attacks. In fact, the American College of Cardiology states that having periodontal disease can increase one’s risk for a heart attack by almost 50 percent!
• Healthier pregnancy – you may not realize it, but poor oral health can impact one’s fertility and pregnancy. Complications that can result from periodontal disease include preterm birth (37 weeks into pregnancy or sooner) and low birthweights (under five pounds, eight ounces).
• Reduced risk of diabetes – in additional to increasing the risk of heart attacks, periodontal disease can also contribute to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This is due to the difficulty the body has in using insulin properly when inflammation is present in the body from periodontal disease.
• Better breath – if patients have cavities and periodontal disease, they may be experiencing s bad breath, also known in the medical field as halitosis. Patients with periodontal disease can brush their teeth and tongue and still deal with bad breath until the infection is managed with the help of a dental professional such as Dr. Janet Stopka.

What should I do to maintain the health of my smile?

• Brush – you’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it each time you visit the dentist: brush your teeth! While most patients will benefit from brushing twice a day (morning and night), it is still strongly encouraged to brush the teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush and an appropriate toothpaste after every meal or snack. This will remove anything on the surfaces of the teeth that could contribute to the development of plaque or tartar.
• Floss – flossing can be time consuming, but it is strongly recommended to remove food particles from between the teeth. Most patients will floss once a day, but after every meal is encouraged. This helps in keeping foods off the tooth enamel that can contribute to tooth decay.
• Visit the dentist – instead of visiting the dentist when things go wrong, patients should be more proactive about their oral health by visiting their dentist on a routine basis. The American Dental Association recommends that patients of all ages visit their dentist at least every six months for a standard teeth cleaning and an examination to monitor their oral health and check for any signs of developing issues such as periodontal disease or tooth decay.

Take the time to learn about how to care for your smile from our quality dentist!

Dr. Janet Stopka and her professionals are here to help patients in the Burr Ridge, IL area achieve beautiful healthy smiles with proper oral hygiene habits. If you live in or around the area and are interested in discussing your oral health care needs with a quality dental professional, call our office at (630) 756-5844 and visit the practice in Suite D at 16W289 83rd Street.