As a Redmond dentist, we are regularly asked by patients what oral health problems they should watch for and what they are potentially susceptible to.  As the kids head back to school, parents know to encourage hand washing and to load up on vitamins in order to prevent the common cold from hitting the house. When it comes to oral health, there are things you can do to prevent conditions as well, but few people understand what they are and how to avoid them.

We recommend that you take certain precautions to protect your oral health, and those include eating a healthy diet. You should keep in mind that everything you eat first has to enter your mouth. If you are eating a diet that is high in processed sugar, is incredibly acidic, and does not provide you with nutrients your teeth and mouth are going to absorb those things before the rest of your body does. A diet like this can lead to a variety of oral health problems that go beyond your normal cavities. We also encourage you to keep your mouth clean by drinking a lot of water brushing and flossing twice per day in addition to visiting our dentist office for regular exams and teeth cleanings.

One important tip to remember is to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis as well. If your family members are using the same toothbrush throughout the year there is a good chance that you are continuing to spread bacteria throughout your mouth. If your toothbrush begins to smell in any way it is time to replace it. If your toothbrush is dirty it is time to replace it. If your toothbrush has bristles that are frayed or split it is time to replace it. It is far better to spend the extra $5 and purchase a new toothbrush once a month than continuing to use one that is contributing to your oral health problems and sickness overall.  We will also give you one when you visit our Redmond dentist office.

Common Dental Health Problems Include -

• Tooth Abscess. If you have a dental infection you can develop a tooth abscess. This can be incredibly painful and require dental intervention to remove the infection and potentially, the tooth.
• Canker Sores. Canker sores can develop for a variety of reasons and they are typically not contagious. A canker sore can develop if you eat food that is too acidic or high in sugar. If you notice that you have a canker sore when you eat or drink particular things we recommend that you eliminate those items from your diet. Otherwise, you can develop a canker sore due to stress or other health problems, so staying well rested and healthy in general can help to prevent them.
• Cold sores. If red or raised blisters develop around the outside of your mouth it is likely that you have a cold sore. These are incredibly contagious so you need to be careful to wash your hands anytime that you have to touch the area. Since this is an infection if anyone in your house has cold sores, be sure not to share utensils, chapstick, cups, or kiss the person until their cold sores are gone.

As a Redmond dentist, we also treat challenges like tooth decay and gum disease.  If you are concerned that your oral health is deteriorating or if you want to proactively take steps to improve it, call our office to schedule an examination and teeth cleaning.  We can help you and your family to remain in excellent oral health.