Dental issues, such as gum disease or cavities, can affect your ability to eat and speak and cause you pain. You may also have bad breath. It’s not all about the mouth and flashing a smile. Poor dental health can affect other areas of your life and body.
This can have a domino effect on your health, affecting diabetes, pregnancy, and chronic inflammation such as arthritis. Dental hygiene goes beyond brushing your teeth and flossing. Create a checklist that will help you stick to the routine you have chosen for yourself and your family. Start with:
1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Start with your dentist, the most important person on our checklist for dental health and wellness. Meeting your dentist regularly is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene. Do not only visit your dentist when you are experiencing a problem. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are important to avoid cavities, treat gum problems, and, most importantly, detect any dental issues before they become more serious.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a dentist is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating oral disease. Your dentist will help you maintain good oral health. Everybody’s dental health varies, so you should visit your dentist to get personalized advice on how to improve your home dental care routine.
You can ask your family and friends for recommendations. Find a dentist who is friendly, attentive, and experienced, with good reviews. Do a search online for local dentists. Set up appointments with three or more leads, and check out their experience before you settle. Finding the right dentist will be a great asset to your quest for dental health and hygiene.
2. Ask Your Dentist if They Work With Other Labs
You might be surprised at how digital dental labs can improve your dental care. These labs, according to BMC Health Service Research, are the tech wizards in the dental industry, with laser scanners and AI. These labs create super-accurate 3D models of the hard and soft tissues in your mouth. Digital X-rays offer a picture quality that is superior to traditional films.
Why is this important? These digital marvels make dental procedures more efficient and run smoothly. The improved services include better fitting crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics. Doctors can save time, and you, as a patient, receive faster and more precise treatment. Ask your dentist if digital dental laboratories are used when you go to see him or her.
3. Make Sure Your Children Are Learning About Good Oral Health
You want your children to have healthy smiles, so you show them how to brush before bedtime and in the morning. Unfortunately, this becomes a part of the family’s nightly routine but never extends beyond that. If you are not familiar with the benefits of good oral hygiene, your child will learn them at an early childhood education center. Check the content and ask about any oral health programs offered at the daycare center or early childhood education center where your child attends.
You may find that your child’s kindergarten or daycare does not have these programs. However, if you want to encourage parental involvement, suggest the center include oral health lessons in its curriculum. You don’t need to make it complicated. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Both the caregivers and the teachers should make this subject fun and interactive. You only need to reinforce the lessons they have learned at school. You’re preparing them for a lifetime of oral hygiene and wellness.
4. Visit Hospitalized Loved Ones With Oral Health Material
You’ve learned that your oral health can affect or promote your physical health. It’s important to share this knowledge with others. Hospital staff are often too busy with other medical issues to pay attention to oral health. Visit people in hospitals with oral health material. Some hospitals offer basic oral care products to their patients, while others do not.
Create a care pack that includes dental floss, a toothbrush, and mouthwash. Your thoughtful gesture will contribute to the overall health and well-being of your loved ones. This can be added to your dental hygiene checklist so that the oral health kit will always be available when needed.
5. Make Sure Your Elderly Family Members Receive The Dental Care They Deserve
Your family members may have difficulty maintaining good oral health as they age. According to the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are more susceptible to gum disease. Around 2/3 (68%) of adults 65 and older have gum diseases. Almost 1 in 5 adults 65+ has lost all of their teeth. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the increased dental problems in older Americans are due to age-related changes in saliva, poor diet, the exposure of the root surface caused by gingival recess, and mechanical changes that occur with regular mouth aging.
It is important that your elderly relatives get the dental care they need to live a happy life in their golden years. Get them dental insurance if they are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid lawyers are able to help elderly people navigate the complex healthcare system. They will also assist them in understanding their dental benefits and finding suitable dental care providers. Even if your grandmother has 20 teeth left at 75, she can still benefit from dental health and wellness.
6. Check on Your Elderly Family Members Who Require Dental Support
Most seniors require additional assistance in their daily lives. Even though they have insurance, they can’t use it on their own. They need assistance. You should always check up on your family members who need dental care.
If you can’t afford elder care assistance services, be proactive in arranging local transportation to and from dental appointments or inquiring about home care dental services and the possibilities of telemedicine. You can arrange local transportation for dental appointments or inquire about home care dental care and telemedicine if you cannot afford elder care assistance. Your attention can have a big impact on their oral health and well-being. By helping them maintain good oral hygiene, you can avoid expensive denture fittings or prescription medications for severe gum diseases that were not caught at the beginning.
7. Find Out if Your Elderly Family Members Have the Needed Resources for Their Dental Care
CNBC reported in 2018 that according to an American Dental Association survey, over 40% of Americans don’t go to the dentist as often as they should. The main reason they give for not keeping dental appointments is the cost. The Guardian claims that dental care is a social issue.
The elderly population is even worse off when it comes to dental care. The majority of them are either no longer employed or have an insurance plan that does not cover dental care. Encourage them to contact social security disability attorneys. Social Security disability benefits may allow your elderly loved ones to access healthcare services that will help them live a healthier, happier life. Dental hygiene and well-being will not be a problem for your loved ones if they have financial and resource support.
8. Ask About Baked Goods That Have Lower Sugar Content for Your Dental Health
Sugary treats are delicious, but they can also be harmful to your dental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the sugars that you consume interact with plaque bacteria to create acid, which slowly dissolves enamel and causes cavities. Tooth decay can lead to abscesses and tooth extraction. Although these facts may be alarming, they do not mean that you have to give up all baked goods and confectionery in order to maintain good oral hygiene and wellness.
According to Associates of Dentistry, reducing your intake of sugary baked goods can help you restore the pH balance in your saliva and maintain healthy teeth and gums. Consider visiting bakeries that offer lower-sugar options. Modern bakeries cater to health-conscious customers by offering treats with natural sweeteners or alternatives such as stevia. You can enjoy your favorite baked goods without compromising your dental health.
9. Know How Different Products Can Affect Your Health
Daily, you’re exposed to a variety of products that can impact your overall health and dental health. Electronic cigarettes or E-cigs have become popular as a healthier alternative to smoking. Although some people see electronic cigarettes as a safer alternative, they should be aware of their potential impact on dental health.
BHM Oral Health states that e-cigarettes can cause inflammation in the mouth. This can lead to dry mouth and halitosis. A temporary loss of flavor may also occur. The American Heart Association reiterates the message that nicotine or vaping restricts blood circulation to gums and contributes to periodontal diseases.
Soft drinks, wine, and sticky candies are also harmful to your dental health and hygiene. Other products that may be detrimental include pasta sauce, crackers, and coffee. These products can erode the enamel of your teeth and increase your risk of developing dental caries if consumed frequently. You should not give in to the temptation of occasional sweets or the sign advertising e-cigs at your local convenience shop. Instead, you should brush your teeth, floss, and use mouthwash.
10. Consider What Dental Care Certain Family Members May Need While in Rehab
It’s possible that dental care is not a priority for your family member who is undergoing rehab in a drug rehab center, halfway house, or another facility. During this time, it is still important to keep in mind their oral health. According to the Center for Dental Rehabilitation, addiction affects people’s oral health and many other aspects of their health. The majority of addiction treatment programs focus on rehabilitation and intervention, but they do not include dental issues caused by drug or alcohol abuse. It can be helpful to help these family members establish a basic dental hygiene routine.
The staff at the rehab center can tell you how they prioritize dental health for their residents. Ask if dental treatments and checkups are included in their rehabilitation program. Consider scheduling dental appointments for them during or after the rehabilitation process. Many charity programs cater to the dental needs of recovering addicts. Search the Internet to see if there are any available in your area.
11. Choose The Right Dental Care Products
How can you choose the “right” toothpaste from the many brands available in the supermarket? Healthline states that the best toothpaste is the one with the ADA seal, has at least 1,000 parts-per-million fluoride, isn’t too abrasive, and doesn’t claim to whiten your teeth. Dentists agree that electric brushes are better at cleaning teeth and the tongue than manual toothbrushes.
Live Science explains how the rotational feature of electric brushes can help to force toothpaste deeper into areas that are difficult to reach and remove plaque, which causes dental caries. If you don’t have access to an electric brush, brush your teeth manually using good techniques such as circular motions and angling. Also, make sure you brush gently on your gums.
Your life should prioritize dental hygiene and wellness. You should visit your dentist regularly, use modern dental technology, and encourage good oral hygiene habits at a young age. You can protect yourself and your loved ones by ensuring their well-being.
Always keep in mind that your daily products can affect dental health. Consider dental care interventions to reduce the damage caused by alcohol or drugs. You can incorporate these and other ideas one day at a time.