Oral care is the act of keeping one’s mouth free from infection and other unpleasant conditions by regular cleaning of the gums and brushing of the teeth. It is essential that proper oral care is done on a routine basis to help prevent bad breath and dental decay. While there are several oral health treatments available, many people don’t see them as regular maintenance since they seem to take too much time and cost money. Oral care is something that can be done at home or at the office.
Proper oral care requires two things: consistency and diligence. This means that you should brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily. If you are unable to brush your teeth or floss daily, you should consider making the effort to do so at least once per day. If you have health problems that affect your ability to brush your teeth, such as diabetes, stroke, or some type of cancer, it is best to seek the advice of your dentist.
A word about your teeth: flossing daily and brushing your teeth after meals can go a long way towards keeping your mouth healthy and infection-free. But sometimes these actions are not enough. There are various other factors that can lead to dental caries. Some common causes include smoking, poor oral hygiene, and the buildup of plaque or tartar on your teeth. These three risk factors, among others, can contribute to the development of xerostomia.
Xerostomia occurs when there is an abnormal amount of bone in the jawbone area. Sometimes this condition can develop even with proper oral care. If you are an older person, you are more likely to develop the condition if you have missing teeth or have lost a tooth. Oral care for older people is especially important. Here are some tips for oral care for older people:
If you are using dentures and want to correct your smile, consulting a dentist is recommended. Your dentist will tell you whether you need to have dentures placed in your mouth, or whether you could benefit from a full denture fitting. You will also learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of both options. It’s important to consider your comfort and appearance when choosing between these two options. Good oral care starts with a decision about which of the two would be best for you.
There are many oral health assessment tools available today. The American Dental Association has several different online websites that provide patients and caregivers with resources. The site includes an online database where dentists and other professionals can post patient contacts, descriptions of various oral care tools, and descriptions of oral exams and treatments that they recommend for patients. Other sites feature comprehensive directories of local dentists, as well as resources that allow caregivers to search for local resources (e.g., “American Dental Association” or “National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork”).
Other sites and databases allow patients to search for a list of common oral care problems and their recommended solutions, along with ratings and comments from patients and professionals. These ratings are often given in order of concern, with high marks going to those who give excellent oral care. Similarly, ratings are often given for overall health, but may focus on oral health conditions (e.g., gum disease or sensitivity) or the oral symptoms most severe for each patient. Online databases can also help you find local resources, such as organizations that work to promote and further the dental profession (e.g., the Dental Assisting National Organization, or DANO), as well as resources that can help you find local dentists that provide good services (e.g., the American Dental Association’s Great Place to Be Dental website).
When choosing a provider for your oral care needs, it is important to ensure that they are board-certified and capable of treating the specific types of oral conditions that you have (e.g., gum disease or sensitivity, improper bite, TMJ, caries). Additionally, make sure that the dentist has experience treating the specific oral health conditions that you have (e.g., poor oral health, specific dental issues, etc.). In addition to finding a dentist that meets these requirements, it is important to choose one that is financially, socially, and emotionally supportive of you as a patient. You also want a dentist that is willing to consider all of your oral care options, including the use of treatment options that may not be traditional. In short, choose a dentist that is ready to work closely with you in order to achieve the goals and objectives that you have set forth for your oral care goals and objectives.