Dental Maintenance and Hygiene by Dr. H. Chehayeb

Your dentist has probably prescribed for you dental hygiene and maintenance routines. These routines are an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Healthy teeth and gums play a vital role in your overall good health.

We all know poor and neglected oral hygiene promotes tooth decay and gum disease. But did you know it could also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. According to the U.S. Surgeon General a large percentage of Americans have a reduced quality of life due to oral and facial pain. This pain is caused by infections of the gums that support the teeth and the decay and trauma of the teeth themselves. Much of this disease and discomfort could be avoided by maintaining a simple oral hygiene program. Research shows that some form of periodontal disease or gingivitis affects more than 75% of the population. Note: Periodontal refers to the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease characterized by redness and swelling of the gums.

An important part of dental maintenance and hygiene is regular dental exams. These exams will help keep your mouth in great condition so you can maintain your healthy teeth and gums. By getting regular dental exams you help your dentist diagnose any problems to your teeth or gums before they become serious (and expensive). Once we have established a pattern of regular dental visits to a dentist we trust and with whom we feel comfortable it gets easier and easier to maintain the schedule.

Another benefit of regular dental exams and continued good dental hygiene is preventive or rapidly curing any infections of the mouth. These infections can affect one’s major organs including the heart and the colon. Simple dental care can often detect or prevent a major disease. Dry mouth, swollen gums, mouth ulcers and other gum problems are among the first symptoms of many illnesses. In fact, research shows that 90% of systemic (affecting the entire body) diseases have oral symptoms.

Beyond oral and general health other benefits of proper dental care should not be underestimated. An attractive smile and youthful grin can have a large impact on your social life, career and success.

Polls show that nearly 75% of Americans agree that an unattractive smile can damage a person’s career and financial goals. An even larger percentage of Americans say they remember people with especially good-looking smiles. And attractive smiles, obviously, have a great deal to do with the look of your teeth and gums.

If you already have healthy teeth and gums make sure you maintain them. Follow the oral hygiene procedures your dentist has outlined for you and visit your dentist regularly.

If you feel your teeth and gums are not in the shape they should be don’t continue to neglect them. Make an appointment with your dentist right away. The sooner you take care of any problems the quicker, easier and less expensive the process will be.

Maintaining or restoring the alignment, health and brightness of your teeth is probably the easiest and most-effective health, aesthetic and anti-aging technique available.

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