Oral Hygiene Archives - Smile Glen Ellyn Restorative Dentist
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Category: Oral Hygiene

healthy teeth and gums
30Dec

Taking care of your dental health is essential for more than just having a great smile and feeling good! Poor oral hygiene can have severe, long-term ramifications, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or even heart problems. To prevent these health consequences and protect yourself against them, use this helpful list of tips to maintain optimal oral wellness:

Brush your teeth twice a day

Establishing the habit of brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is essential for maintaining long-term oral health. The circular motions used while brushing help fight plaque, an invisible film of bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. With this easy routine, you will ensure optimum overall well-being!

Floss daily

Brushing is just one step of a successful oral hygiene routine; flossing must also be considered for strong teeth and gums. Floss works to eliminate accumulated plaque, as well as food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach. Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate string floss daily – make sure you apply gentle back-and-forth motions! No snapping or jerking movements should ever occur when performing this task.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Incorporating an antibacterial mouthwash into your daily routine can do wonders for the health of your teeth and gums. Not only does it reduce plaque and bacteria in your mouth, but its refreshing taste will leave you with a pleasant breath throughout the day – be sure to use it as directed on the bottle label! Remember: never swallow any form of mouthwash!

Eat a balanced diet.

Eating a balanced diet is also essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps to keep your mouth healthy by providing it with the nutrients it needs. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they can increase your risk for tooth decay.

Quit smoking

Smoking is terrible for your overall health, including your oral health. Smoking increases gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer risk. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your teeth, gums, and overall health.

Use Mouthwash Regularly

Mouthwash can help to remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth, keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride, as this will help to prevent cavities. Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out

Limit acidic foods and drinks

Acidic foods and drinks can wear away at your tooth enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay. To reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, limit your consumption of citrus fruits, juices, sports drinks, and sodas. If you consume acidic foods or beverages, rinse your mouth with water afterward to help neutralize the acidity.

Avoid teeth grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common problem that can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums. If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to wear while you sleep. This will help to protect your teeth and gums from the damage caused by grinding.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Seeing your dentist regularly is another important way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist can detect problems early and provide treatment to prevent more serious problems from developing. Most dentists recommend seeing their patients every six months for a routine cleaning and exam.

Dr. Gibbs, and the team at Smile Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, IL, are here to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. We can provide personalized advice on incorporating these tips into your daily routine and answer any questions about oral health care. Please take your time; call us today for an appointment or consultation so we can get started helping you achieve a brighter smile!

30Jul

Even though gum disease can affect people who brush and floss regularly, nearly half of Americans aged 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease.

Gum disease can usually be treated successfully at its earliest stages, but it cannot be reversed once it has progressed to periodontal disease. Don’t wait until you’ve got gingivitis or worse before taking action! Please schedule an appointment with us today so we can help protect your smile.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease can cause some of the following symptoms:

  • Sore gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Receding gums
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Tooth loss

However, many symptoms described above can also indicate other oral health issues. It’s essential to contact our office if you think you may have gum disease.

There are several causes of gum disease.

Untreated gum disease is caused by plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth and gums.

If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you’re at greater risk for gums disease because the bacteria in plaque consume the sugar and starch left behind in your mouth after eating.

If you want to protect your dental health, you need to visit your dentist regularly. At your next preventive care appointment, they can check your gums and identify any early warning signs of gum disease. They can then recommend ways to prevent further damage to your mouth.

At Smile Glen Ellyn, we are always looking out for our patient’s best interests. One way we do that is by gathering their medical and dental histories before they arrive at our office.

Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Gingivitis, also known as early gum disease, can be treated by following good oral hygiene practices and visiting us for regular cleanings. During your visit, we will be able to remove plaque and tartar from your mouth and monitor your oral health at home. Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will help prevent plaque buildup.

Advanced gum disease, or periodontal disease, can’t be reversed, but our dentists can mitigate its harmful effects by performing scaling and root planing procedures. Scaling and root planning can help prevent some more serious consequences of advanced gum disease, including receding gums and tooth loss.

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Periodontal disease tends to cause deep gum pockets around teeth. When treating periodontal disease, our dental professionals can deep clean these pockets and smooth out the tooth roots. Scaling and root planing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and encourages the gums to attach back to the teeth.

Prevent gum disease by brushing twice daily for two minutes each time. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment in Glen Ellyn, IL., call us today.

5Aug

Pregnancy creates many changes in the body. Even your teeth and gums can be affected because pregnancy increases the blood flow in the body, creating changes in your oral health that can make you susceptible to infections. It’s a good idea to know what to expect and familiarize yourself with helpful steps you can take.

Swollen Bleeding Gums

Because pregnancy increases the flow of blood in the body, more often than not, pregnant women may experience bleeding gums or a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Other symptoms include loose teeth, pain when eating, bleeding and swollen gums. Dr. Thomas Gibbs of Smile Glen Ellyn knows that swollen gums can be very uncomfortable during pregnancy and although this condition is usually temporary, it’s a good idea to handle your teeth and gums gingerly if you are experiencing these symptoms. Carefully brush and floss. This is important because swollen games make it easier for bacteria to grow. Handle your teeth and gums with care but don’t stop the brushing and flossing process. This will keep bacterial growth down and promote healthier teeth and gums.

What Can You Do?

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to get relief from this temporary condition because painful swollen gums can be uncomfortable. You can gargle with warm water and sea salt to ease the pain and sensitivity as well as disinfect your gums. You can also supplement with vitamin A and C. Glen Ellyn, IL dentists know how important these vitamins are when it comes to building strong teeth and bones.

These are all preventative measures you can take to avoid developing periodontal disease, which can lead to bone and tooth loss, but remember that you can always drop in for an appointment at Smile Glen Ellyn if the condition doesn’t change or gets worse.

11May

The breakdown of food debris by bacteria inside your mouth is the major cause of bad breath. Proper brushing techniques that also include giving your tongue a good scrub will go a long way in taming halitosis, or bad breath.

Bacteria Tongue Coating

The tongue provides the greatest surface area for microbial growth in the oral cavity as reported by a review in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. According to Dr. Thomas Gibbs, a veteran Glen Ellyn IL dentist, the bacteria colony on the tongue accounts for more than four-fifth of bad breath cases.

Regularly cleaning your tongue will significantly reduce the buildup of the foul smelling bacteria. Using a toothbrush to scrub usually suffices. Nevertheless, specialized tools like tongue scrapers are available for a thorough tongue cleaning. Using mouthwash will also help in minimizing the bacteria colony on your tongue without getting rid of them and their usually protective benefits.

Tongue Cleaning Technique

Your Smile Glen Ellyn, IL dentist advises that you clean your tongue starting from the far end working carefully to the front. If you have a strong gag reflex, exercise extra caution by avoiding the sensitive points near the back throat that may trigger vomiting.

Fresh breath traverses the borders of tooth brushing. Clean your tongue as often as you brush and floss your teeth to maintain fresh breath. For any questions on tongue health, be sure to call or make an appointment today!

9Feb

Your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist probably reminds you at every appointment about the importance of flossing as part of your oral hygiene routine. Cleaning between your teeth prevents plaque buildup around the teeth and gums. Combined with brushing and professional cleaning, flossing is an important part of your dental health.

If you don’t floss every day, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-third of adults never floss. However, dental floss or interdental cleaners reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease by disrupting the bacteria colonies that form in unattended spaces between your teeth, keeping them from taking root. This makes flossing a key component to your oral health.

 

When Should You Floss?

The American Dental Association recommends flossing once a day. Whether you do it before you brush or after is a personal preference — the important thing is that it gets done frequently. Ask Dr. Thomas Gibbs for tips on flossing and brushing to maintain your beautiful smile in Glen Ellyn. Take care of your mouth not only for your confidence and self-esteem, but also for your overall health.

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