This month at Crossroads Family Dentistry, we celebrate National Dental Care Month! It is the perfect time to remind you how to care for your smile, not just in May but all year through.
Benefits of maintaining a healthy smile
The American Dental Association (ADA) explains that your mouth serves as a window to the health of your body. It can indicate signs of nutritional deficiencies and even general infections. Further, certain systemic diseases that affect the entire body, like diabetes, AIDS, and Sjögren’s syndrome, could first be noticed by mouth lesions or other oral health issues.
The ADA explains that the mouth is filled with countless bacteria, some of which are linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers have found that severe gum disease, commonly known as periodontitis, can be linked to other health problems like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and bacterial pneumonia. Further, pregnant women with periodontitis could be at risk of delivering preterm and delivered a baby with low birth weight.
How can I practice better dental hygiene?
It’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene. You can adopt several small habits in your day-to-day routine to improve your oral health. To keep a healthy smile, the CDC suggests you:
- Brush your teeth twice each day for two minutes each time.
- Floss your teeth once a day.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to help fight cavities and tooth decay.
- Limit sugary drinks and choose fluoridated tap water.
- Quit smoking and tobacco use.
- Visit your dentist for a cleaning and checkup every six months.
Visit the dentist during National Dental Care Month.
When you come in for your regular checkup at Crossroads Family Dentistry, we will examine your medical history for any changes and perform a complete examination of your mouth.
If you’re overdue for a dentist appointment, make an appointment now and see our dentists here at Crossroads Family Dentistry.