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(256) 353-3211
1320 Stratford Rd SE
Decatur, AL 35601
Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Fri, Sat, & Sun
Oral Hygiene
When you think of good oral hygiene, what comes to mind? Fresh breath? A bright white smile? Squeaky clean teeth?
While these are all indicators of your overall oral health, getting your mouth really clean, and maintaining that cleanliness over the days and months between cleanings at Steven Leach Dental can be a challenge.
By way of example, tooth decay is a pervasive and widespread issue. Despite the efforts of the entire dental community, decay is the single most chronic childhood disease. It impacts TWO THIRDS of us kids ages 12-19. It’s 5 times more common than asthma; 7 times more common than hay fever. But it’s very close to 100% preventable!
The health of your mouth is, in many ways, a reflection of the overall health of your body. There are diseases occurring in other areas of the body that present symptoms in our mouths. And in similar fashion, diseases of the mouth can have a waterfall effect on the health of the rest of your body…one more reason to take oral hygiene very seriously!
Keeping Up Your Oral Health
Regular oral exams at Steven Leach Dental are a critical part to maintaining proper oral health. These exams can expose existing and potential oral health issues. Dr. Leach and his team are experts in assessing your general oral health as well as discussing options for your preventative care.
In between these important office visits your oral hygiene regimen should include:
Get the proper amount of Fluoride
Fluoride is your enamel’s best friend. It strengthens enamel and helps prevent decay. Many people live in areas where the municipal water supply contains fluoride. Even if this is the case where you live, you should always use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Dr. Leach’s team can even add fluoride directly to your teeth during an office visits, if necessary.
Minimize snacking between meals
Bacteria LOVE sugar. And sugary snacks are full of, well, sugar. Bacteria convert this sugar to acid, which in turn attack tooth enamel. Do your teeth a favor and limit sugary treats to mealtime (or, eliminate them altogether!).
Use the right mouth rinse
A good mouth rinse does more than just mask the bad smells or tastes in your mouth. A Therapeutic mouth rinse can improve your overall hygiene. Unlike some over-the-counter rinses, a therapeutic renise have anti-bacterial and anti-cariogenic (anti-cavity) ingredients. Using these rinses has been shown to reduce plaque and bacteria which helps prevent cavities more effectively than brushing and flossing alone.
Don’t use tobacco
Tobacco, whether it’s smoked or smokeless is a huge risk factor for tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer (in addition to the well known risks they create for heart disease and lung cancer). Let the experts at Steven Leach Dental help you quit tobacco use NOW!
Perform regular self-exams
When you establish a regular oral hygiene routine, you’ll be looking at your mouth every day. And you’ll be able to spot changes very early on…things like chipped teeth, sores, inflamed gums. These conditions, when treated early, can often be remedied simply and quickly. When they are left untreated they can lead to much larger problems down the road. Let Dr. Leach and his team know if you find anything that you’re concerned about.
Steven Leach Dental is dedicated to a simple but important goal: helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. Accomplishing that goal starts with good oral hygiene.