Creating Your Oral Health Plan

Creating Your Oral Health Plan

Enjoying a lifetime of good oral health takes more than just making a commitment to brushing and flossing. To keep your mouth truly healthy for a lifetime requires creating an oral health plan that involves regular visits to your Eugene family dental care provider here at Feldmanis Family Dentistry. Making a commitment to your oral health will not only keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, it will also help to significantly reduce your risk for a variety of chronic illnesses. Studies have linked poor oral health with an increased risk of such illnesses as heart disease, stroke, dementia and cancer.

When creating your own personal oral health plan, consider the following steps:

Understand Your Oral Health Needs

Take the time to understand the current state of your oral health and what action you may need to take in order to maintain and improve your health by talking with Dr. Feldmanis about any special conditions regarding your oral health and what impact your health or the medications you take could have on your teeth and gums. For example, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy and treatments for cancer can all impact your oral health and may require you to make changes in how you care for your teeth. Make sure to tell Dr. Feldmanis if you have experienced any changes to your general health and about any new medication you may have started since your last dental appointment.

Create And Follow A Daily Oral Health Routine

Depending on the conversations you have with Dr. Feldmanis about the current state of your oral and overall health, create an easy-to-follow daily oral health regimen. If you have a special condition such as diabetes or are pregnant, you may require additional instruction on how to care for your oral health, and may need to make more frequent visits to your Eugene family dental care provider. Make sure you fully comprehend what types of additional care you need to take with your oral health, and make a committed effort at maintaining those habits on a daily basis.

Use Plenty Of Fluoride

Both adults and children can benefit from the use of fluoride. The mineral helps to strengthen developing teeth in kids, while also providing protection from dental decay in kids and adults. Dr. Feldmanis can provide you with a better understanding of your own unique fluoride needs. Based on Dr. Feldmanis’ recommendation, some patients may need to take fluoride supplements or use toothpastes with a higher fluoride content.

Brush, Floss And Rinse

By far, the most important daily habits you can practice – brushing, flossing and rinsing – help to remove harmful oral bacteria that contributes to the development of dental decay and disease. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day – ideally once in the morning and again before bed. It’s also vital you floss at least once a day, and thoroughly rinse your mouth with water following any meal when you cannot immediately brush after.

Eat A Balanced Diet

Diets high in sugar provide harmful oral bacteria known as plaque with the fuel it needs to produce corrosive substances that slowly erode away tooth enamel. By limiting the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis, you can not only help improve your oral health, you’ll also have a better chance of maintaining and losing weight.

Stop Using Tobacco Products

By now the dangers associated with tobacco use should be well understood by patients. However, if the increased risk of cancer wasn’t enough to convince you to give up the use of tobacco products, the habit also contributes to the development of bad breath, tooth discoloration and gum disease.

Talk With Your Eugene Family Dental Care Provider

Don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Feldmanis for additional information if you don’t understand a procedure or treatment. At Feldmanis Family Dentistry, we want all of our patients to feel comfortable having a frank discussion with Dr. Feldmanis about their oral health and scheduled treatments. As your Eugene family dental care provider, we are here to help you and your family enjoy a lifetime of great-looking smiles.

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