Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station VA
Taking care of oral health is just as important as taking care of overall physical health; in fact, studies have linked poor oral hygiene to an increased risk of severe health conditions like heart disease, stroke and dementia. Taking care of oral health, which also prevents the development of tooth decay and gum disease, takes hardly any time or effort. It’s handled in four simple steps, detailed below by our Burke family dentist, Dr. Pam Marzban.
Brush
This is the cornerstone of your oral hygiene ritual. Dr. Marzban encourages patients to brush twice a day — once in the morning after breakfast and once before bed — for two minutes each time. This is the most effective way to remove bacteria and plaque from your mouth that can develop into cavities and gum disease. No one is immune to plaque buildup. We all have normal bacteria in our mouths and on the surfaces of our tongue and teeth. These bacteria feed on the foods and beverages we enjoy, especially if any remains between the teeth or on their surfaces. The bacteria secrete acids that damage tooth enamel. While saliva is our body’s natural defense of rinsing away the bacteria and maintaining pH in the mouth, it’s not enough. Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste gives you the best foundation for strong oral health.
Floss
So many people are dedicated to brushing their teeth but stop short of flossing. This is like neglecting to clean 1/3 of your teeth because flossing is essentially how you brush between your teeth, where many food particles remain after eating … and oftentimes after brushing. Those food particles feed bacteria in the mouth that eventually lead to plaque and tartar buildup and then tooth decay. Choosing not to floss daily increases your chance of developing cavities or gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults.
Rinse
Boost your oral hygiene routine with a mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association. If you’re not a fan of the stinging sensation that alcohol causes in mouthwash, the ADA has given its stamp of approval to many peroxide-based mouth rinses, too.
Visit the dentist
Some people believe that taking care of their oral health at home negates the need for a trip to the dentist every six months. But no oral hygiene routine is complete without twice-annual trips to the dentist. Dr. Marzban can see issues in your mouth — tooth fractures, the beginning of tooth decay or suspicious ulcers, for instance — long before you’re able to. Additionally, the dentist and hygienists can clean areas of your teeth above your gum line that your toothbrush and flossing at home likely don’t reach.
Family Dentist in Burke, Fairfax, and Fairfax Station, Virginia
Start these oral hygiene rituals now, and you will significantly lower your risk of developing tooth decay and certain oral and medical diseases. If it’s time for your routine checkup and cleaning, or if you have any questions about the best ways to care for your oral health, give our Northern Virginia office a call at (703) 323-8200 or reach us online today.