San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Your daily mood has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself, your confidence, and, most importantly, your overall health condition. You can do many things to maintain a happy, healthier life, like exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, and destress. But there may be something else you can do – take better care of your teeth and gums. Gum health is intricately connected to overall health. Studies report that poor oral health increases the risk of cardiovascular events, diabetes, and even dementia. Experiencing these health conditions affects your life and your mood. Today on the blog, family dentists in San Francisco share what you can do to keep your gums in shape.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Hopefully, you’re already doing this simple oral hygiene practice, but if not, you’re missing out on substantial health benefits. Brushing your teeth removes biofilm that naturally forms in the mouth. Biofilm is a by-product of the foods we eat and the oral bacteria that reside in our mouths. If left on the teeth for more than a few hours at a time, biofilm increases your chances of cavities and gum disease, an active infection of the gums. Skip brushing your teeth for even longer, like overnight or into the next day, and biofilm hardens and becomes tartar or calculus. This hard substance can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Everyone gets tartar buildup to a degree, but you can lessen how much you get by ensuring you brush twice a day and floss daily.
Use the right toothpaste
The mechanics of brushing your teeth are what remove biofilm, bacteria, and food particles, but you can up your game by ensuring you use the right toothpaste. Be sure to select a toothpaste that is ADA approved and that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a natural substance that protects dental enamel against cavities. Other than that, you’re free to choose any flavor or brand of toothpaste that you prefer. Also, you just need to apply about a pea-size amount of toothpaste on your brush for brushing. More isn’t always better in this case!
Floss every day
There it is – the one thing most people skip – flossing! Flossing is the equivalent of brushing between your teeth. In fact, it’s the most effective way to clean these interproximal areas. Food particles, bacteria, and biofilm collect in these areas just as easily as they do on the visible surfaces of the teeth. If you only brushed your teeth and never flossed, you’d be more likely to get cavities or gum disease. It only takes a minute or two to floss, and its benefits are well worth it.
See the dentist twice a year
Going to the dentist at least once every six months is the perfect opportunity to get your teeth cleaned and examined to identify dental diseases or issues that need fixing sooner rather than later. Just like anything else regarding your health, the sooner you address it, the better the outcome. Studies link poor oral health to heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia. Plus, neglecting your oral health means a greater chance of losing your teeth to dental disease. None of these sound like a mood booster. So, why not take excellent care of your teeth and gums so that you can live a happier life!
Family Dentists in San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland
Taking care of your teeth as recommended is one of the easiest things you can do not only for your teeth and gums, but your overall health and mood too. Commit to the recommended oral hygiene regimen so that you can keep your gums healthy for a happier life! Ready to schedule your next dentist appointment? Call Glen Park Dental at (415) 585-1500.
