Oral Hygiene
Phoenix, AZ
 Caring for your teeth is good for your oral health, and your overall health. Disease causing bacteria and infection in your mouth is not just unhealthy for your teeth, it is unhealthy for your body. Our team at Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona includes dental education as part of the work we do. We want our patients to feel better both inside and out. There are steps you can take that can make a huge difference.
Our body is wonderfully designed with an outer dermal layer to protect most of our body from infection and disease. When a person receives a cut, if it’s not tended to, the cut can become red and irritated with infection. The person then covers or tends to the wound so it can heal. With this in mind, the body naturally comes with a few openings designed for biological purposes such as hearing, breathing, and the intake, and outgoing of food. Along with these openings are natural defenses to help protect the body, such as mucus in the nose, wax in the ears, and saliva in the mouth. Just like that cut, the mouth is a place where infection-causing bacteria is constantly invading, and though there is saliva to help protect it, we need to be diligent in keeping our mouths clean to avoid infection.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can be referred to by multiple names, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The names refer to the severity of the infection, but all of these terms are an indication that infection is present in the soft tissue that supports your teeth. We need to remove the source causing the infection in order for your body to heal, just as you would wash the dirt away from a cut. We can remove the infection causing source through brushing and flossing.
Some tips for more effective brushing include:
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Examine your Toothbrush: Your toothbrush has the important job of removing bacteria and debris from your mouth. You want a soft bristled brush that is not too old or damaged. Studies show that patients who use an electric brush are able to remove significantly more plaque and debris.
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Correct Dental Products: Are you using ADA recommended toothpaste when you brush? Patients may see beautiful whitening using baking soda, but it does not contain fluoride. We recommend purchasing ADA products for effective cleaning.
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Clean Between your Teeth: Food debris and bacteria can easily become stuck between your teeth. It is necessary to clean between your teeth to remove disease causing bacteria. There are various tools you can use including various types of floss, flossing sticks, or water agitators. Find the product and technique that is effective for you. You may find that you prefer flossing in front of a tv, or in the shower, we just want you to do it before you retire each night.
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Drink Water: Saliva is always working to remove food particles and debris but you can help. Drinking water helps wash the mouth and remove loose materials. |
At Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona we are here to help with your oral hygiene. Make sure to maintain regular dental appointments and come see us every six months! Give us a call today at (480) 504-0506 to schedule your next appointment. |
