Oral Hygiene Advice from Chicago Implant Dentists

This article discusses the importance of good oral hygiene in the prevention of the oral ailments that cause tooth loss.

Every day, Chicago implant dentists tend to the hundreds of patients who have lost one, several or even all of their teeth to any of a number of causes. The most common causes, however, are tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, both of which are caused by bad oral hygiene. It can be easy to divorce yourself from the idea that skipping brushing your teeth one night may end up with you requiring Chicago dental implants further down the line.

“It’s just tonight; I’m so tired,” you say.

“It’s really the attitude this kind of excuse comes hand-in-hand with,” explain Chicago implant dentists. “Going to bed without brushing your teeth is extremely unhygienic and if you are comfortable with that, then you’re oral health is sure to suffer in the long term.”

Perhaps you too are guilty of occasionally skipping a brush. But what about the other incredibly important oral health and hygiene habits we should all take care to practice? Would you get full-marks on the following check-list?

Avoiding the Need for Chicago Dental Implants: Your Oral Hygiene Check-List

“Keeping your teeth for life requires more than just a quick brush morning and night,” say Chicago implant dentists. According to the American Dental Association, 30 million irreparably damaged and/or decayed teeth are extracted every year. “Furthermore, as many as 80% of Americans suffer from some form or stage of gum disease, so clearly the majority of the population just isn’t doing enough to look after their teeth,” say Chicago implant dentists. If you want to avoid gum diseases, tooth loss and the need for Chicago dental implants, here’s what a proper home oral hygiene routine should look like:

• Brushing: You should scrub those pearly whites at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. “Be gentle, but be thorough,” say Chicago implant dentists.

• Flossing: “You must floss every day,” urge Chicago implant dentists. “It’s absolutely shocking how many people neglect to do this essential component of any oral hygiene routine.” Bacteria and plaque accumulate between the teeth as readily as they do on them. Brushing alone only removes a percentage of the bacteria that cause decay, cavities and tooth loss. “Flossing every day is essential,” say Chicago implant dentists. “So if you neglect to do it, you’re leaving yourself at a much higher risk of tooth loss and the need for Chicago dental implants.

• Diet: The things you eat and drink also have a significant impact upon your oral health and hygiene. “Bacteria love sugar, so the more you eat and drink, the more oral bacteria will flourish in your mouth,” explain Chicago implant dentists. Acid is also terrible for your teeth and can actually corrode away your dental enamel. When it comes to quenching thirst, there should be a much lesser emphasis on soft drinks and fruit juices, both of which are high in sugar and acid. Eating a balanced, healthy diet promotes whole-body health and, of course, dental health.

• Ditch bad habits: Smoking, heavy drinking and drug abuse (prescription and illegal) are terrible for your oral health and hygiene, not to mention the rest of your body. Chicago implant dentists have tended to patients as young as 20 who have lost teeth due to dangerous lifestyle excesses. To make matters worse, these habits can actually compromise the success of Chicago dental implant procedures. It’s best to find the professional help you need to quit!

A Final Note from Chicago Implant Dentists

“If you brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, floss every night, eat a healthy diet with plenty of water and steer clear of bad habits, you will keep your teeth and gums in much better shape for longer,” say Chicago implant dentists. “It’s also important to go for check-ups twice a year. These habits will help prevent tooth loss and the need for Chicago dental implants”

And so, there’s really just one last thing to say: you don’t have to brush all of your teeth - just the ones you would like to keep!