Have you seen all the memes depicting how leisurely life has gotten now that so many people work from home? In some cases, this lifestyle may be somewhat permanent or at least long-lived. Regular habits associated with preparing for the workday are not so regular. Wardrobes are more relaxed; other routine habits are not as usual anymore. One practice, your oral hygiene, still needs to be on point.
The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene
You may not have colleagues or a boss around to impress with your fresh minty breath and pearly white teeth at the moment; however, keeping up with your oral hygiene is not about superficiality. The consequences of skipping sessions of brushing or flossing can develop into serious issues.
Correctly brushing and flossing will keep your teeth in a healthier state and keep dental plaque at bay. Plaque is a transparent, sticky film that adheres to teeth. In those places that are difficult to reach, plaque can accumulate and cause tartar to form.
This buildup can cause gingivitis or infection of the gums. The gums swell or get puffy and may turn bright pink or red and bleed when your brush or floss. Without regular cleaning, the plaque leads to periodontitis w and could loosen the teeth and bone loss.
This scenario may seem extreme; it can develop easier than you can imagine if you are not brushing and flossing regularly.
Preventive Dental Care
During the pandemic, many dental offices have been closed to all but emergency and essential dental care. As restrictions lift, dental offices like Pine Ridge Dental have taken stringent precautions to ensure staff and patients’ safety. Regardless of the precautions, it is still vital for you to maintain regular dental care. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Brushing and flossing cannot eliminate tartar buildup on teeth. Special dental instruments are required to remove this hard substance from the teeth. The hygienist must then smooth the tooth surface so the gums can adhere again. Most people need an annual visit for dental upkeep. Some individuals are prone to plaque buildup and must have their teeth cleaned every six months to eliminate plaque.
Your dental visit will also include diagnostic images and a visual check to determine if decay is present. Unfortunately, a small hole in the enamel can be misleading, hence the necessity of diagnostic images to check below the surface. Sometimes large cavities are developing under tooth enamel.
Do your part to keep your teeth healthy, looking good, and feeling clean. Commit to maintaining good dental hygiene even during this time when it may seem optional. Keep up with your annual or bi-annual visits to your dentist for preventive care. Call Pine Ridge Dental and make an appointment with us. We offer excellent, relaxing dental care, using state-of-the-art equipment for your comfort. Contact us today.