Is It Possible to Brush Too Much?

 

The short answer? Yes, it is possible to brush your teeth too much. Brushing your teeth too often or too vigorously can wear down the enamel of the teeth. Overbrushing causes the gums to recede, which can make them more susceptible to disease. The enamel is the protective layer of your teeth, so wearing it down can make your teeth more sensitive and susceptible to damage.

How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?

Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Failing to remove all of the plaque and food particles from your teeth can result in bacteria growth and tooth decay. However, brushing your teeth between meals isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You should refrain from brushing more than three times a day, because brushing too often will wear down the enamel of your teeth. You must brush at least twice, but not more than three times a day.

How to Prevent Overbrushing

Don’t use a medium or hard bristled toothbrush. The only reason to use these types of toothbrushes is if you have limited dexterity that will prevent you from reaching all areas of your mouth. Soft bristled toothbrushes can prevent enamel damage from occurring. Brush your teeth gently and thoroughly.

Brushing your teeth aggressively won’t clean the plaque off any more completely than gentle brushing will. Thoroughness is more important than the pressure you use while brushing. Electric toothbrushes can help prevent overbrushing, so they are a great option if you consistently brush too hard.

Preventing damage to your teeth doesn’t just consist of vigilant care. You must ensure that you take all the necessary steps to protect your teeth. To learn more about how to improve your oral hygiene routine, contact us at Jenson Dental today!

How Oral Health Impacts Overall Health

 

There are many benefits to maintaining good oral hygiene practices. A beautiful smile can greatly impact your confidence and improve your social interactions. Good oral hygiene will help prevent gum diseases from happening and you’ll get to keep all your teeth! Furthermore, oral health can signify or even attribute to overall health problems.

Symptoms

The mouth is often the first place where many symptoms of diseases appear. Poor oral hygiene can lead to these symptoms going undiscovered. Lesions, ulcers, pale or red gums, and other factors can all be signs of more serious diseases. Some diseases that often have oral symptoms include:

• HIV
• Coeliac disease
• Blood disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Eating disorders

Risk Factors

Many of the same risk factors that attribute to gum disease also lead to other diseases. These factors include:

• Diet- poor nutrition can lead to problems with your teeth. It can also lead to other health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
• Tobacco use- smoking or chewing tobacco significantly increases the risk of both gum disease and oral cancer. This same factor contributes to lung cancer, cardiovascular illness, and many other things.
• Hygiene- poor hygiene significantly increases the risk of gum disease as well as infection and many other problems.

Not only does oral health have significant links to overall health, but it can even contribute to the health of the body. The mouth contains bacteria that can spread infection to other areas of the body when the immune system is compromised. Good oral health can be important in maintaining proper nutrition, because the mouth is the gateway where nutrition consumption occurs. Saliva can help fight bacterial growth. For all of these reasons, good oral hygiene is important. To learn more about how to maintain optimal oral hygiene, contact us at Jenson Dental today.

What is a Cone Beam X-Ray?

A cone beam x-ray can get a more accurate picture than a conventional x-ray. They function by performing a scan in a cone formation that is rotated to get a thorough scan of the entire area. A cone beam takes a 3-D image of your teeth, soft tissue, nerve pathways, and bone with just one scan.

The Benefits of a Cone Beam X-Ray

A cone beam x-ray will provide you with a more accurate image than a conventional x-ray. A conventional x-ray only provides a 2-D image, which makes it more difficult to provide accurate treatment. A cone beam x-ray provides high-quality images, which prevents mistakes from occurring.

The high-quality, 3-D image will allow the dentist to provide more precise treatment than they would otherwise be able to. They can pinpoint the exact location of the roots, an infection, and other oral hygiene issues. A cone beam x-ray also allows a dentist to check bone width accurately.

Preparing for a Cone Beam X-Ray

Preparing for a cone beam x-ray isn’t difficult. You should wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing metal. Metal can cause interference with the x-ray, so you should leave the jewelry at home. You will probably have to remove any jewelry that can safely be taken off. Women may be required to remove a bra that has metal underwire.

A cone beam x-ray will be painless and should leave no adverse effects. You should consult with a doctor before obtaining a cone beam x-ray if you are pregnant. Radiation is typically more dangerous for use with young patients, as they are more vulnerable to damage caused by radiation.

A cone beam x-ray is an ideal way for your dentist to get an efficient, high-quality image. This image will allow them to create a precise treatment plan, diagnose problems correctly, and provide you with the most efficient treatment possible. For more information on the benefits of cone beam x-rays, contact us at Jenson Dental today!