11/28/2016 Top 10 Dos and Don'ts of Oral Health | Healthline Contributors

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by Cynthia Witson on 3/31/15

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Oral health is one of the most overlooked aspects of the human body, primarily because we
don’t see it as a priority. We’re usually alarmed when we experience chest pains, high fevers,
vomiting and other severe symptoms, but does anyone rush to the emergency room
because of painful teeth? What most people don’t understand is that oral health is not an
isolated part of the human body. In fact, it a嬀逄ects one’s overall well-being in several ways,
including proper nutrition, communication skills and social interaction.

If you want to keep your oral health in shape and prevent complicated dental problems in
the future, here are the dos and don’ts that you need to follow.

Dos  of Oral Health

1.Do brush at least twice a day.

Proper oral hygiene involves regular brushing, which the American Dental Association
recommends as brushing twice daily. While some people may choose to brush three times a
day, it is not ideal to go more than that because excessive brushing can erode the tooth
enamel and weaken the teeth’s natural defenses. The best times for brushing are in the
morning and before going to bed. Early in the morning when you wake up, you will notice
that your mouth is dry. Brushing will get your saliva 嬀逄owing and remove the bacteria that has
accumulated in your mouth overnight. Before going to bed, it’s important to brush your teeth

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to remove all of the food debris and bacteria that you collected in your mouth throughout
Scott Brand
the day.

2.Do 嬀逄oss in between brushing.

Flossing is also a vital step in practicing oral hygiene. A lot of food debris is stuck between the Kelly Everson
teeth, which ordinary toothbrushes can’t reach and remove. Dental 嬀逄oss optimally removes
food debris in between teeth by scraping them o嬀逄, preventing plaque build-up and bacterial
growth. An interdental brush may also work well for this purpose.
Meghan Belnap
3.Do clean your entire mouth, not just the teeth.

The teeth are just part of the oral cavity. You can also 谀樄nd the tongue, throat and inner
cheek, which are all as exposed to food debris and bacteria as the teeth. This is why you Evlin Symon
shouldn’t just brush the teeth but also the tongue surface. You can also remove bacteria in
the entire mouth by using an antibacterial mouthwash. Just remember to gargle the
mouthwash for at least 30 seconds to make it work.
Emma Sturgis
4. Do recognize signs and symptoms of oral problems.

Ignoring dental problems is one of the main reasons why people end up getting root canal
treatment or tooth extraction. If you payWrite for us
attention to your dental health, you can get Search  Search About | Login
Nancy Capelle
treatment right away and prevent the complications of tooth and gum problems.

5.Do visit a dentist every six months.

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If your dentist is always up-to-date about your dental health conditions, it will be easier to
detect oral problems and treat them immediately. Likewise, your chances of getting a severe
dental infection are low if you regularly visit your dentist. Dental cleaning is a strong Categories
preventive measure against oral health problems.
FITNESS FOOD

6 FAMILY VOICES
Don’ts
Like of Oral Health

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6.Don’t eat too many sweets or sticky foods.
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Sugar is the enemy of teeth and the food of bacteria. Constantly munching on sweets and
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candies without brushing properly can lead to major dental problems. Sticky foods also
contribute to tooth decay because the stickiness traps bacteria on the tooth surface and People in Recovery learn
allows them to multiply faster. valuable life skill at Live to
Lead
By Scott Brand
7.Don’t eat too many acidic foods.
Drug Dealers hooking Kids as
Acidity breaks down the tooth enamel and weakens the teeth. If you eat and drink too many young an Nine on Heroin
acidic foods and beverages, you will end up with sensitive and discolored teeth. In order to By Scott Brand

counteract this, always rinse your mouth with water or milk after eating anything acidic, and
Everything You Can Do to
don’t brush your teeth until after 30 minutes to allow the enamel to remineralize. Prevent Wrinkles without
Getting...
8.Don’t hesitate to go to the dentist. By Kelly Everson

As much as 8% of American adults are afraid to go to the dentist. This fear is usually Why You Should Be
irrational and can be resolved by knowing your dentist better. Once you become comfortable Considering Nutrition
Therapy to Help...
with your dentist, it will be easier to go to the clinic regularly. You can also overcome fear of By Lizzie Weakley
the dental chair by undergoing sedation dentistry, which will help you relax throughout the
9 Subtle and Scary Makeup
entire dental consultation.
Lessons For Halloween This
Year
9. Don’t wait for bleeding before getting dental treatment.
By Evlin Symon

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11/28/2016 Top 10 Dos and Don'ts of Oral Health | Healthline Contributors

Waiting for severe symptoms before getting dental treatment can lead to extreme
complications and even untreatable problems. Unless you want to have your tooth
extracted, you should always go to the dentist whenever you notice anything unusual like
constant pain in a speci谀樄c tooth or region in the mouth and swelling of the gums.

10.Don’t smoke.

Smoking not only causes tooth discoloration, it also gives you bad breath and increases your
risk of getting tooth decay. Not only that, smoking is also associated with a number of other
health problems such as lung cancer and COPD, which only adds to the reasons why you
shouldn’t smoke.

Following these do’s and don’ts will lead you to a healthier and happier smile. Prevention is
always better than a cure, which is why you should take action and give more time to care for
your dental health.

Cynthia Witson RDH, Dental Assistance for Dr. Paul Athanasius, graduated in
2011 from Loma Linda University, school of dentistry. She has passion for
excellence, which isWrite for us
to help patients achieve... Search  Search About | Login
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1 Comment Sort by  Oldest

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Kate Welling · Doral Academy Preparatory School
Well, I do all the "Do's" and apparently all the "Don'ts"! I have such a big sweet tooth
and am always eating something sweet. But since pregnancy, I have developed an
obsession with sucking on lemons and limes! At least I don't smoke though!
http://www.galleriadentalcentre.ca/.../products_and...
Like · Reply · Mar 29, 2016 3:01pm

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