Keeping your teeth healthy has become today’s dominant model in oral care. Not many years ago, Americans believed that complete removal, followed by a transition to dentures, was necessary later in life. Thankfully, this is no longer an assumption that is necessary.
Keeping Your Teeth
The human body’s health depends on healthy teeth. It all begins with the mouth from voice to food. Gum disease has been linked with Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and diabetes, and can be a risk factor. Researchers are researching how gum disease inflammation in the mouth can affect other areas of the body (brain, heart, and pancreas), causing disease in those areas. Such chronic inflammation prevents the ability of the body to fight infection.
Changes That Help Preserve Healthy Teeth
Tooth loss, contrary to popular belief, is not a natural outcome of aging. This fundamental understanding has facilitated better oral health for the elderly. Fluoridation of municipal water sources encourages healthy teeth in babies and children, as does the trend of seeking dental care beginning in infancy. Increased access to oral care has been influential but the introduction of effective home-care products is even more important. Electric toothbrushes provide a more reliable means of maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums. Alternatives to dental floss such as floss pick and interdental brushes allow people who previously avoided flossing to develop better daily habits.
Keeping gum disease at bay is the first key to keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life. Increasing the diligence of your oral care routine can help by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Visiting your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and dental exam is also recommended.
If you have started experiencing tooth loss due to gum disease, this problem may not be too late to be resolved. Schedule an appointment with our office and let us show you the most efficient lifelong teeth management strategies. Please contact us at (480) 867-1727 today.