Practicing good oral hygiene is the key to maintaining good overall health, especially as we get older. In recent years, bacterial inflammation involved in gum disease has been linked to chronic health problems like stroke, coronary artery disease and premature, low birth-weight babies. Dr. Lebovics and our hygienists take great care to identify and treat gum disease early to keep you and your mouth healthy.
There are a number of things you can do to help protect your smile and your overall health. Visiting your dentist regularly, at least twice a year, allows us to thoroughly clean your teeth and recognize any potential problems early (i.e. cavities, gingivitis, etc.) before they become more serious. Dental exams give us insight on whether the patient is getting proper nutrition, maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen and whether there are any growth or development problems.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure you are practicing good oral hygiene at home:
By following the above steps, you can help prevent common problems, such as cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and oral cancer, as well as more serious diseases that affect your overall health, like heart disease and diabetes.