Bad habits are easy to form even when we try out best to steer clear of them. But despite your good intentions, you could still be damaging your teeth. Here are some dental do’s and don’ts that you should follow to ensure the health of your mouth:
Do: Visit your dentist in Forest Lake sooner rather than later
If you think that skipping your biannual dental cleaning and checkup won’t be problematic, think again.
Whenever you experience pain or abnormalities such as lumps or bumps on the inside of your mouth, it is crucial to visit your dentist immediately. Only a professional can identify and diagnose a dental issue.
Let’s use root canal treatment in Forest Lake as an example. If you have tooth decay, usually all that is required is a simple filling. However, if the decay advances and the pulp of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected, your dentist must save the tooth by performing a root canal procedure. If you were to neglect the signs of tooth decay, and don’t receive treatment in time enough, it could lead to severe and irreversible consequences, such as tooth loss.
Other oral issues like gum disease, can be resolved by practicing better oral hygiene, but if this disease is left untreated, it can also result in loose or missing teeth. In the case of a dental issue, visit your dentist to prevent problems from worsening and the need for intensive and expensive treatments.
Don’t: Take matters into your own hands
If you have ever tried researching at-home dental treatments, don’t do it again. This could put your oral health at serious risk. Instead, visit your dental clinic for professional treatment. Your dentist is highly trained and skilled to carry out numerous procedures, including dental braces in Forest Lake.
It might seem like DIY dental treatments will save you money at first, but in reality, they will only make matters worse. Attempting to perform your own dental procedures without the supervision of a professional is both unsafe and infective. Only your dentist can perform an oral examination and take X-rays to determine which treatment is suitable for you.
Do: Brush your teeth thoroughly
Proper brushing is the simplest yet most effective way to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Every day, plaque accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth and in order to remove it, you will need to brush them. However, when plaque comes into contact with the sugar in your mouth, bacteria feeds off it and produces acids. These acids damage your tooth enamel and as a result, you can form tooth decay and cavities. In the case of a cavity, you will require a dental filling in Forest Lake.
Brushing for just two minutes, twice per day in addition to regular flossing, will manage plaque and keep your mouth clean and healthy.
Don’t: Adopt the latest dental fad
You have probably seen people using activated charcoal to whiten their teeth all over the internet right? But did you know doing this can cause long-term effects and can even be abrasive?
Before you experiment with the latest dental fads, speak with your dentist in Forest Lake. Professional advice will prevent you from harming your teeth or causing irreversible damage.
Do: Get your teeth whitened by a dental professional
Although over-the-counter whitening products seem promising, they only contain up to 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide. This means they aren’t strong enough to make a drastic color difference.
If you are interested in teeth whitening in Forest Lake, visit your dentist. Professional teeth whitening performed by a dentist or dental hygienist uses up to 6% of hydrogen peroxide which means you will notice a dramatic difference in your smile. Not only that, it’s extremely safe and will prevent you from experiencing unwanted side effects or discomfort associated with over-the-counter products.