Dental care
Dental care is important for oral wellbeing and overall health. Inflammations of the gums and teeth may increase the risk of a myocardial or cerebral infarction, for instance, and impair the control of chronic diseases.
book an appointment for a dental check-up
Regular brushing of teeth twice a day should be adopted as a routine. Brushing cleans the surfaces of the teeth of plaque, the bacterial mass that may cause oral health problems.
It is also recommended that the spaces between the teeth are cleaned at least once a day with floss, an interdental brush or a silicon toothpick, for instance.
Cleaning between the teeth is important because a toothbrush cannot clean there. An electric toothbrush does a slightly better job in this than a regular toothbrush.
What happens if dental care is neglected?
Neglect of dental care may cause cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis that damages the connective tissue of the teeth. Periodontitis is caused by bacterial plaque getting underneath the gums and destroying the connective tissue fibres that fix the teeth to the bone. If the inflammation persists, it may result in loose or even dislocated teeth. Periodontitis also increases the risk of a myocardial or cerebral infarction.
Dental care and eating habits
Teeth can only take about five acid attacks per day. So, regular meal times and the avoidance of snacking are good habits. In an acid attack, caries bacteria use the sugars in food or beverages and form acids that create cavities.
Sweet and acidic beverages should be drunk only with meals and, when thirsty, the best choice is water. It is also a good idea to use xylitol products after meals.
Have your teeth checked regularly
It is important to go for a dental check-up regularly. The earlier potential problems are detected, the easier and more affordable it is to treat them. If a problem is left untreated for a long time, treatment often becomes more complicated.
There can be oral inflammations and cavities in the mouth for a very long time without them presenting any symptoms, and they can only be detected by X-ray. Your own dentist that you visit regularly knows best how to determine the personal check-up interval as well as necessary examinations and treatment procedures.
Book an appointment for a dental check-up in Mehiläinen’s booking system
or by calling the customer service: +358 (0)10 273 8000 (0,0835 €/call + 0,1669 €/min) (EUR 0.0835 per call + EUR 0.1669 per minute).
Learn more about our Digital Clinic for dental and oral health that is open every day of the year.
The expert consulted for the article was Head Dentist Johanna Kukila.
