At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics in Kansas City & Sedalia, MO, Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh and his orthodontic team know just how important it is to maintain a healthy, clean mouth! Quality time spent on a good oral hygiene routine is paramount to preventing cavities from forming, as well as preemptively avoiding a wide array of diseases that are triggered by neglecting your teeth and gums. Daily flossing, brushing, using mouthwash, and visiting your orthodontist every few months at Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics are all crucial elements to maintaining proper oral hygiene, helping you keep the overall health of your body in tip-top shape for years to come!
A Healthy Mouth Is A Happy Mouth
Although your family’s genetics can play a large role in your susceptibility to cavities, regularly brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can work wonders in helping to keep your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible! Maintaining a quality, yet consistent oral hygiene routine is one of the most important things you can do for your overall well-being. Healthy teeth and gums not only enable the whole family to feel confident, but they also make it possible to eat properly, speak properly, and even live longer:
Flossing
Start your oral health care routine every day by flossing. Adequately flossing with nylon or teflon floss picks helps to remove the sticky bacteria and plaque that builds up on the inside surfaces of your teeth and gums, preventing gingivitis and premature gum recession. Just make sure to wipe or rinse your floss picks after each tooth you clean!
Brushing
After flossing, gently brush your teeth and gums with a soft to medium hardness toothbrush, as it helps to remove the bacteria that causes decay on the outside surfaces of your teeth, as well as aids in preventing gum disease.
Mouthwash
Finally, when you finish flossing and brushing, use an antibacterial mouthwash to really seal the deal! Mouthwash kills 99% of bad breath germs, has a 21% greater gingivitis reduction than merely brushing and flossing alone, and was shown in a clinical study to reduce 52% more plaque than just brushing and flossing alone.
Good Oral Hygiene & Lifestyle Choices
Establishing a consistent oral hygiene routine is the first step to ensuring a healthy mouth, but we aren’t done yet! Additionally, following a proper nutritious diet plan not only helps to keep your body healthy, but it plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Dr. Kavanaugh and our orthodontic team has put together a list of things you should look for – and things you should avoid – in your lifestyle choices to make sure your teeth are as healthy as they can be!
Limit Soda, Coffee, & Alcohol
Soda, Coffee, and alcohol contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth! Unfortunately, too much phosphorus can deplete the body’s level of calcium, causing dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Beverages containing additives, such as corn syrup and food dye, can make white teeth appear discolored. Therefore, it’s best to choose beverages like almond milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel.
Choose Tap Water Over Bottled Water
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride from tap water. Make sure to balance out your water intake between the two sources.
Be Wary Of Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
Regardless of their popularity for losing weight, low-carb diets can lead to bad breath! A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay, which includes eating the proper amount of carbohydrates for your age and size.
Vitamin C, Vitamin D, & Calcium Intake
Vitamins C & D help to support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals, such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue. Making sure that you are getting enough of both is an easy way to maintain proper dental hygiene and ward off gum disease.
After age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form, so it’s critically important to restore calcium with a daily supplement, or by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in your saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.
Contact Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics In Kansas City, MO Today!
Here at Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics in Kansas City & Sedalia, MO, our orthodontic team will provide you and your family with the best orthodontic treatments and services possible! With a wide variety of braces and procedures for both children and adults, we promise that Dr. Kavanaugh can confidently diagnose your dental needs and find the perfect solution.For more information on why good oral hygiene is critically important to your overall well-being, don’t hesitate to contact our office in Kansas City or Sedalia today. From all of us at Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we can’t wait to help you get your smile back on track, teaching you about good oral hygiene along the way!
