Oral Hygiene Instructions

Oral Hygiene Instructions from

Dr. van Gennip in Silver Spring, MD

Generally, when people think of oral health, they think about brushing their teeth for a beautiful, pearly white smile.

Complete oral care is about more than just white teeth and fresh breath. It also includes flossing, visiting your dentist regularly, and much more. In fact, a good oral health routine not only preserves your smile, but it also improves your overall health.
Scientific research has shown many links between poor oral hygiene and medical conditions. For instance, poor oral hygiene can lead to the following complications:

  • Mouth infections that can pose a serious risk to other major organs
  • Increased risk of developing heart disease
  • Digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal failure
  • Women may have a greater risk of having preterm and/or low birth weight babies.

Teeth are our gateway to great nutrition. Being able to chew a wide variety of quality food is essential to the health and wellbeing of your entire body. Failure to maintain good oral hygiene can cause pain, infection, cavities and even tooth loss. Tooth loss is one of the leading causes of vitamin and mineral deficiency because it severely impacts your ability to eat nutritious food.

Ways to Keep a Healthy Mouth

So, what makes a great oral hygiene routine? The key word is routine – what you do to look after your oral health needs to happen routinely for it to be effective. Some things you can do at home for a healthier smile, include:

  • Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after meal times
  • Flossing at least once a day; this helps to keep the small spaces between your teeth free from bacteria and your gums healthy
  • Using a mouthwash to kill germs
  • If you smoke, you should quit today. Smoking is widely detrimental to your oral and overall health. Not only will it stain your teeth and give you bad breath, but you could also develop gum disease, loose teeth, and experienced delayed healing from dental treatments. In some severe cases, smoking can even lead to the development of mouth or throat cancer

One of the most important thing you should do to maintain your oral hygiene is make sure that you’re going to your Silver Spring dentist at least twice a year for routine checkups. Dr. Raymond B. van Gennip is able to detect potential dental or oral problems, before they develop into something that requires extensive and possibly expensive treatments. You should call Dr. Raymond B. van Gennip at Silver Spring Periodontics, if you experience any pain or sustain an oral injury.

Part of maintaining proper oral hygiene involves the proper brushing and flossing techniques. If you’re unsure about your oral health or techniques for maintaining it, make an appointment at Silver Spring Periodontics with Dr. Raymond B. van Gennip today at (301) 565-8030

Dr. Raymond B. van Gennip

8630 Fenton Street, Suite 212

Silver Spring, MD 20910 US

(301) 565-8030