Ask the Dentist: Your Top Oral Health Questions Answered
Good oral health is key to preventing dental diseases, boosting self-confidence, and promoting proper nutrition. A well-maintained smile disarms strangers, deescalates testy situations and serves you in a dozen different ways. Let’s look at the top questions dentists receive on oral health and their responses. Hopefully, these answers to your top oral care concerns will help keep your pearly whites gleaming.
Q. What are the best practices for daily oral care?
Daily oral care starts when you wake up and concludes before you retire to bed. A popular quote by dentists is, "Brush in the evening to keep your teeth and again in the morning to keep your friends.” Remembering to brush at least twice daily for the best oral cleaning routine is a good rule of thumb. What you use to brush is equally important as how many times you brush. This is no time to be bringing a knife to a gunfight (although both shouldn’t be anywhere near your teeth!). You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is not overly abrasive on your gums and tongue and brush in gentle circular motions to lift off foreign particles from your mouth properly. Each session should take at least two minutes. Flossing your teeth should also be a feature in your dental cleaning practice, along with gargling mouthwash. These remove plaque effectively from areas between your teeth and labial mucosa.
Q. What foods and habits can damage my teeth?
Eating sugary and acidic foods wreaks havoc on your dental structure. Poor adherence to tooth brushing routines only spells danger for your teeth. Reduce your sweets and carbonated drink intake to curb damage. If you must have sugary drinks, use straws. This reduces the amount of time the fluids have contact with your teeth.
Furthermore, reduce smoking and drink water after meals to preserve your smile.
Q. Why are my teeth so sensitive, and how can I stop the agony?
Tooth sensitivity is more common than you think, and more patients wince in pain as their teeth get exposed to certain stimuli. These can be hot or cold foods, sugary foods and in some cases, the act of brushing and flossing itself causes shooting pains. Teeth become sensitive due to enamel erosion and gum recession, sometimes even after dental procedures. Dentists recommend using desensitising toothpaste, avoiding acidic foods, and popping by regularly for professional dental consultations to zero in on the reason for tooth sensitivity and treat it appropriately.
Q. Electric vs. manual toothbrushes—who wins the battle for my smile?
There are no surprises here; the champion in precision brushing award goes to…electric toothbrushes! Innovations in orthodontics have resulted in an instrument more effective at removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth than their manual versions. Electric brushes make tooth cleaning a breeze and come fully loaded with several unique features, such as a pressure indicator to prevent tissue damage and a timer for effective brushing.
Q. How can I handle a sudden dental crisis like a pro?
Dental crises are the last things you want to weigh on your otherwise healthy body, and you need rapid first aid and attention to mitigate and remedy them. Some common dental emergencies include knocked-out teeth or severe toothaches. The first step is to rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. If external swelling occurs, use a cold compress to alleviate some of the pain. It is essential not to apply topical painkillers onto the gum in case of toothaches, as these may damage the tissues. See Dental Clinics Parramatta as soon as possible for advanced care once you complete the first aid procedures.
We hope these answers provide a quick reference for most dental inquiries.
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