Discover daily care for a healthy mouth and avoid dental problems!

If you can’t remember your last visit to the dentist, start by adhering to this list of practical care offered by Dr. Diana Fernandes, Dental Surgeon by the Brazilian Dental Association, and remember to book your next appointment as soon as possible.

Daily care for oral health

1. Brushing and flossing

“Brushing your teeth and flossing is essential to keep your oral health up to date. If you brush at least 3 times a day and floss, I guarantee that you will not have cavities and you will not have periodontal diseases such as gingivitis for example”, advises the expert.

2. Consultation with a specialist

Dr. Diana recommends maintaining a routine of visits to the dentist on a regular basis, twice a year.

3. Checkup

“Doing preventive checks with radiographs, with guidance from the dentist, to analyze how your teeth and neighboring structures are doing is a recommended habit that guarantees longevity to the health of the mouth”, warns the specialist.

4. Aligned teeth

“The use of orthodontic appliances is not just for aesthetics, its main function is to align and level the teeth in order to distribute the masticatory forces and not overload any teeth or even the temporomandibular joint, responsible for opening and closing our mouth”, he explains. Dr. Diana, when reflecting that the mouth is like a car: “When you need to change the tires, the car must go through alignment and balancing to go well. In the mouth it is the same thing, if you are misaligned, force one side more than the other and, with time, it will generate greater wear where it shouldn’t, losing important structures of the teeth and even leaving the teeth soft and in pain”, she details.

If you don’t care, there are consequences.

The lack of frequent care with the mouth and teeth, according to the dentist, can cause gingivitis and periodontitis, a disease that inflames the gums, causing bleeding, bad breath, softening and even loss of teeth.

In addition, cavities also need to be monitored and cared for. “Otherwise, they will destroy the tooth and may reach the pulp, which is the nerve of the tooth, which causes acute pain and root canal treatments”, warns Dr. Diana, reinforcing that, in the worst case, it can lead to the need for tooth extraction.

Our mouth and its social function

Specialist in dental treatment, Dr. Diana remembers the business card and social tool that is our face and, mainly, our mouth and teeth. “The lack of constant care can make it difficult to socialize. A person who loses teeth has their self-esteem affected and, in the long run, may become more isolated, afraid to interact and afraid of being exposed to other people in society , at work, in relationships”, he warns.

To start now!

In order to avoid more severe measures due to lack of daily care, Dr. Diana Fernandes makes a checklist for a healthy mouth, with well-brushed teeth:

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1. Brush your teeth in a circular motion or in a back and forth motion, both are correct. Brushing time varies between 1 to 2 minutes, an average of 10 seconds every two teeth.
2. Floss should be used every day, after meals and especially before bed. I advise you to at least pass the thread at night, if you couldn’t do it during the day, to avoid food buildup during your long night’s sleep.
3. Mouthwash can be used after each brushing, to complement cleaning and bring pleasant breath. Just a warning: be careful with rinses that are used to treat gums, as their prolonged use can cause stains on the teeth and tongue.

Featured Photo: Playback