The American Dental Association is excited to remind you that June is Oral Health Month when professionals dedicate attention and resources to helping families achieve healthier smiles. Teeth are important for communicating happiness, eating nutritious foods, and feeling confident with our appearance. Without proper dental care and oral hygiene, children and adults can suffer from gingivitis, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. That’s why June is a great time to visit your dentist and take control of your oral health.
Signs of Bad Oral Health
No matter what your age, it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums. As adults age, it becomes harder for their bodies to attack the bad bacteria in the mouth that causes plaque and tooth decay. Children are also vulnerable to suffering from a lifetime of poor oral health if they don’t develop good habits at an early age. Even though their baby teeth will be replaced as they mature, bacteria still lives in the mouth, and it is likely to spread to permanent teeth without proper care. Here are some signs that you or your child are struggling with oral health:
- Cavities – Sensitive teeth and painful chewing are signs that cavities are developing in the teeth. Regularly brushing and flossing are great ways to combat the buildup of plaque and bacteria, but it’s not always enough to prevent cavities. Several places in the mouth are hard to reach by yourself, but visiting the dentist at least once a year prevents these tiny spaces from going unnoticed.
- Foul Odor – Saliva and bacteria break down food in the mouth, and the residual food particles begin to smell after some time. To avoid being embarrassed in front of others or avoided altogether, you need to maintain good oral health.
- Gingivitis – Gum disease is a reversible condition that escalates to a serious health concern. Without addressing gum disease quickly and efficiently, the gums continue to become inflamed, and the teeth will decay. As the tooth’s enamel wears down from heavy plaque, the teeth become more sensitive and eventually rot away.
Ensuring Good Oral Health
The good news is that there are several ways you can prevent cavities, bad breath, and gum disease from affecting your family, and June is the time to start. Children and adults should brush their teeth twice a day and avoid consuming excessively sweet and sticky substances without lots of water to rinse the teeth afterward. Flossing is an effective way to remove food particles from between the teeth, and mouthwash cleans even the most challenging to reach places in the mouth.
What to do Next
Oral health has a tremendous influence on the entire body, and you should do everything in your power to support a healthy mouth. Dental Expressions by Dr. Gary Bram is a widely-recognized dentist with years of experience helping families achieve brighter smiles. Dr. Bram understands what patients are going through, and he is consistently recognized for his ability to make every patient feel comfortable. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bram, call 718-395-5331 today.
