Important Dental Hygiene Facts You Should Know Burr Ridge, IL

Burr Ridge, IL area patients who are interested in maintaining their oral health and wellness can work with a dentist such as Dr. Janet S. Stopka to educate themselves further on how they can improve their smile. Oral health and wellness are important for many reasons. When patients practice dental hygiene, they will keep problems such as periodontal disease and tooth decay away. Below are just a few crucial dental hygiene facts you should know to ensure you are taking good care of your smile!

• A healthy, beautiful smile doesn’t occur overnight. It takes time for the patient to improve their oral health and wellness when they have received news from their dentist that they need to make changes. Conditions such as tooth decay and periodontal disease can hinder any attempts at improving oral health and need to be addressed with a dental professional. Patients should start making improvements in their routine, and ensure they are brushing their teeth, flossing, and visiting their dentist as suggested.
• Living a healthy lifestyle can help build healthy smiles. When patients eat right and exercise, they are not only improving the health of their body but their teeth. Patients who drink a lot of sugary beverages or eat sweets regularly are not only increasing their risk of weight gain, but also the development of cavities and gum disease. Exercising daily can also help keep the heart healthy. The heart can be impacted by poor oral health due to the oral-systemic connection. Patients with periodontal disease often have other medical concerns and may be at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
• Using proper products matters. If you are not using the right toothbrush or toothpaste for your smile, you may not be doing the best you can for your oral health. It is important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and pay close attention to your technique. Patients should gently brush the teeth and gums and should make sure they clean the tongue as well. This can significantly improve problems such as bad breath that may impact one’s social relationships.
• Understand the importance of flossing. Many patients think that they can skip flossing because they brushed their teeth. However, flossing can get in places that brushing alone cannot. Food particles and bacteria can get trapped between teeth and along the gum line and contribute to disease and decay. By flossing after every meal, patients are taking the proper steps towards better oral health.

• Start young in developing healthy habits. When parents have children, they are often unsure as to when they need to start oral health activities. Infants and babies still require oral health habits to build a proper foundation for adulthood. The baby’s mouth can obtain bacteria just by sharing the same spoon as a parent and can result in cavities. It is especially important to wipe the gums with a warm, wet washcloth after bottle feedings to avoid bottle caries. Parents are welcome to speak to their dentist about ways to ensure their child’s smile and oral health are long-lasting.
• Visit the dentist regularly. Due to the busy schedules of many families today, dental appointments are often overlooked or avoided. However, when patients visit their dentist every six months for a cleaning and evaluation, they are taking steps to ensure healthier smiles. Additionally, when problems arise, patients should speak to their dentist as soon as possible. Many conditions, such as cavities and disease, can be easily treated early on in a less expensive and invasive manner. Unfortunately, many patients leave these problems unaddressed and greatly increase the risk of a more expensive, more damaging problem later. We encourage patients who have issues such as toothaches or bleeding gums to see their dentist as soon as possible for a diagnosis and early intervention. Treatment is critical when problems arise, and the earlier they are caught, the easier they are to address.

Request a visit with Dr. Janet S. Stopka today!

If you live in the area of Burr Ridge, IL and are interested in discussing the benefits of better oral hygiene habits, connect with Dr. Janet S. Stopka. Her practice can be reached by calling (630) 756-5844 and is in Suite D at 16W289 83rd Street.