Shockingly, 33% of people under the age of 19 in the United States have some form of untreated tooth decay. You might be one of these or an older person in need of some help. Many people don’t like going to the dentist and it is estimated that around 36% of the population suffers from some kind of dental-related phobia.
But the longer you put off treatment, the more serious your conditions will become. Even at around the age of 25 to 30, improper dental care will lead to gum disease, enamel erosion, and decay that requires extraction, and in some cases even more serious conditions such as an infection-causing abscess that can require surgery or even cause death.
Fortunately, in most cases, it’s never too late to begin proper healthcare for your teeth and some of the most vital things you can do are:
- See a dentist ASAP
- Brush properly
- Use additional products
Dentists are amazing at their job and seeing one regularly can help prevent problems before they arise while brushing is an effective habit to get into but many people actually do it wrong and additional oral care products can go the extra mile as part of a complete dental hygiene solution.
Seek Dental Treatment When You are Comfortable
There is a reason why there are so many dentists and that’s because they care about your oral health and they want to help in any way they can. You might put off going to the dentist for various reasons such as phobias, financial issues or even embarrassment but you should be aware that once you are there it isn’t that scary, basic yet important care isn’t that expensive and your teeth probably aren’t the worst that they have seen, by far.
A visit to the dentist should be a friendly experience, especially as you get to know your team. If you aren’t comfortable with a dentist then you have the right to use another as you see fit until you find one that you are comfortable with. Most dentists are trained in patient handling and care, and their staff are trained by reputable dental assistant programs that teach them patient handling also, as well as how to perform well as a care assistant.
Make Sure You Brush the Right Way
Brushing should be encouraged as soon as possible in children so that they get into the habit of doing it. Think about it. You probably weren’t encouraged to brush your teeth as a child and you are having issues now. Would you really want this for your children? Even if you do encourage them, then make sure you are showing them the proper procedure because it can actually be done wrong and cause issues.
Brushing should only be done twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. In between, it is advised that you either floss or rinse with mouthwash if you need to clean your mouth.
Teeth should be cleaned this way:
- In a circular motion from the gum to the tip
- Brush for 2 minutes
- Not too hard
- Don’t rinse too much if at all
- Gargle if you need to
- Use mouthwash before brushing
Over brushing can wear away the protective enamel of the teeth and cause gum recession.This can lead to bleeding gums, gum disease and sensitive teeth.
Provide Total Oral Care
Brushing only cleans around 60% of the teeth since it only affects 3 of the 5 teeth surfaces so brushing alone doesn’t clean the entire mouth and extra products might be required. Such things as mouthwash, medicated mouth rinse, floss, and tongue cleaners are all excellent additions to a dental routine.
Rinsing and flossing between the teeth can help remove extra debris and prevent plaque while using a tongue cleaner can remove harmful bacteria from the surface of the tongue that can cause bad breath, oral thrush, and a possible yeast infection. Flossing is pretty straightforward but you should clean your tongue gently up and down with a toothbrush or tongue cleaner and warm water. Rinse and repeat until the tongue is clean but be careful not to over brush as the tongue is sensitive and can blister.
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