Dental Care You Should Never Miss

You stay up late and the last thing you feel like doing is to stop and brush your teeth. It won’t take too much time, but the bed and pillows look awfully inviting.
Some of the most missed dental care habits include:
• Seeing your dentist regularly
• Flossing or cleaning in-between your teeth each day
• Brushing your teeth after meals and at bedtime

But is it a “big deal” if you miss these occasionally? We’d like to think that a time or two won’t make a difference, but there is a reason good dental habits are important.

Seeing Your Dentist Regularly

Life gets busy, and it’s not uncommon that you have to reschedule your dental visit throughout the year (or maybe a few years!) It seems harmless; it can actually cause more harm than you’d suspect.
Everyone wants a bright smile, pain-free teeth and gums and fresh breath. Most people don’t consider the direct link between oral health and their overall health. If you have neglected your dental health, your overall health may show signs of that.

Studies show that there’s a very close connection between dental and overall health.

Chris Marsh, a dentist in Sedona, states,” There’s a link between your mouth and mind, also. Poor oral health can affect your self-image and your self-esteem.” Disorders like chronic pain, cold sores and oral yeast infections can get in the way of daily life, causing depression, misery and lost work days.
“our mouth is the entry point of many bacteria, to keep these bacteria from going into your body, cleaning your mouth on a regular basis is very important.

Flossing or cleaning in-between your teeth each day

The fact is that flossing or cleaning in-between the teeth can dislodge food and plaque that tooth brushing can’t reach. Our Sedona dental team can also show you dental care alternatives:

• Interdental brushes that can fit between teeth
• Floss picks or floss holders with handles that can make it easier to floss with just one hand
• Water flossers such as the Waterpik Brand that direct water between the teeth in lieu of dental floss
• Floss threaders that can be helpful for flossing under your fixed bridge.

Brushing your teeth after meals and at bedtime

If you go to bed without brushing your teeth, the bacteria that lives in your mouth will have a chance to produce acid which attacks your tooth enamel, making your crowns fail and give you root cavities.
If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can also harden into tartar – which is extremely hard to get off your teeth. Tarter doesn’t need much time to form. Tartar can develop in just a day if you forget to brush. Tartar can also lead to gum disease, a chronic condition that can cause tooth loss, as well as inflammation in your body. If you’re worried about plaque or tartar building up on your teeth, seeing a dentist on a regular basis is crucial.
If you really struggle to brush your teeth before bed, here are a couple of helpful tips from Sedona AZ dentist Chris Marsh:
1. Keep a toothbrush near your easy chair! Brush while you finish that book, or are watching TV. No toothpaste is needed. Simply get the toothbrush out and get to clean your teeth.
2. Keep your floss nearby; consider putting the floss within easy reach of your “favorite chair”. No need to get up and grab a piece of floss!

Which dental habit do you miss the most?

Ready to Schedule Preventive Dentistry?

Daily dental care and biannual checkups are the keys to healthy Sedona smiles. Whether you need a routine exam or a root canal, our Sedona Dentistry team can help. If you live in West Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, Cottonwood, Clarkdale or any of the surrounding communities we’d love to see you twice a year!

Regular preventive dentistry can help you avoid cavities and gum disease. You can schedule a preventive appointment, today, by calling My Family Dentist, a dentist in Sedona, AZ at 928-282-3246.