Table of Contents
Why Is Dental Hygiene Important?
Dental hygiene plays a crucial role in maintaining not only your smile but also your overall health. At Lockwood Family Dental, we believe that good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing daily, are the foundation of a healthy mouth and can prevent serious dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. Keeping up with your dental hygiene routine, combined with regular professional checkups, ensures that problems are identified early and treated with minimal intervention, protecting both your teeth and your health.
At Lockwood Family Dental, we emphasize the importance of regular dental checkups to catch problems early when they are most easily treated. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol can reduce your risk of developing oral cancer. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself:
How to Protect Your Oral Health
- Avoid Smoking and Tobacco: Tobacco in any form increases your risk of oral cancer.
- Limit Alcohol: Heavy alcohol use is linked to a higher risk of oral and throat cancers.
- Protect Yourself from the Sun: Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and use sunscreen. Lip balm with SPF 30 or more is essential to protect your lips.
- Eat a Cancer-Fighting Diet: Include cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, berries, red grapes, and citrus in your daily diet.
- Keep Up with Dental Checkups: We screen for oral cancer during your routine dental exams, checking areas such as your lips, mouth, tongue, and throat.
If you’re undergoing cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, it’s even more critical to monitor your oral health. Cancer treatments can have a significant impact on your dental hygiene, so regular checkups are vital.
Dental Hygiene Tips from Lockwood Family Dental
We encourage you to follow these American Dental Association-approved tips to maintain a healthy smile:
- Brush Twice Daily: Use a toothbrush that fits comfortably in your mouth to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the back ones. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to reduce bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Floss Daily: Clean between your teeth and around the gum line once a day to prevent plaque buildup and maintain healthy gums.
- Use a Mouthwash: Rinse with an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouthwash to help remove bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and wash away bacteria.
Maintaining Your Oral Health Year-Round
Daily brushing, flossing, healthy eating, and regular self-checks can go a long way in protecting both your dental hygiene and your overall health. At Lockwood Family Dental, we encourage you to take stock of your health and make positive changes for a healthier future. Detecting issues early not only increases treatment success but also ensures a lifetime of healthy smiles. We’re here to support you every step of the way! Contact us today to schedule a checkup and ensure you’re on the right track to optimal oral health.
