Oral health is the state of good oral health and the maintenance of one’s smile. Oral health is associated with overall physical well being. Proper oral health can prevent cavities and promote general oral health. Oral health is achieved when the gums are healthy, the tissues in the mouth are strong, and one has regular dentist visits. Good oral health is achieved by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.

 

Oral hygiene is usually the process of maintaining one’s mouth free of infection and disease by brushing and cleaning between the teeth, as well as avoiding the spread of plaque. It’s also advisable to visit a dentist on a regular basis, particularly if one lives in a rural area and receives poor dental health care. In the United States, oral health remains a concern for many people. There is a difference however, in the way rural Americans feel about their oral health and what they expect from dentists. In rural areas, oral health is usually not taken seriously, even though it is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle.

 

The lack of dental health service in rural communities may be attributed to the social and economic characteristics of the local community. In some rural areas, people are too busy earning a living to pay much attention to dental health. In other cases, the lack of access to dental health service may be due to a lack of education or attitudes toward health. Poor dental health is preventable in rural communities through education and access to dental health professionals who can help. Here are some ways that rural American’s could improve their dental health:

 

Education. Many people in rural areas lack access to a dentist and, without one, they remain unaware of the preventable conditions that can lead to tooth decay and cavities. For this reason, a dental care professional is an important part of the community in which he or she practices. Teaching kids about proper dental hygiene early in life helps them to develop and maintain a healthy smile throughout their lives. Additionally, a dentist can inform potential patients about services that would be best suited for their oral health needs.

 

Healthy Water. Even though most Americans enjoy fluoridated water supplies, there are communities in rural America that do not. Fluoride is known to play a role in tooth decay so many cities and towns are encouraging citizens to get their teeth fluoridated. For this reason, if you live in a community that does not have a fluoride treatment program in place, talk to your dentist about getting it added. Fluoride does not just benefit those with perfect teeth; it is also beneficial to those with stained or yellowed teeth as well.

 

A Brushing And Flossing Service. Every single day, people in the United States experience teeth-related trauma. It may be as simple as missing a few shades of toothpaste or it could be as painful as a serious filling or root canal. No matter what your ordeal was, it is important to go to your dentist and get whatever work you need done. Your dentist may even recommend a specific form of preventative care that can help protect your teeth from future traumas.

 

A Wisdom Tooth Whitening Service. In order to qualify for this service, your dentist will probably perform a custom-made procedure to remove any old plaque or tartar that may be on your teeth. After your teeth are cleaned and sterilized, your dentist may suggest that you get a “whitening” service. During this procedure, a professional bleaching solution is applied to your teeth for a few minutes before a special wand is used to grab and pull the whitening solution from your mouth. Your dentist will then cover your toothbrush with a new specially designed whitening shield to protect it from the solution. You will likely need several treatments, and your results will vary depending on your overall toothbrush and gums condition.

 

A Dental Health Exam. Your dentist will probably ask you to come into his office for a routine dental exam. This doesn’t mean anything exciting, but it’s important to ensure that you’re healthy enough to take care of your smile. An exam will let your dentist know if you’ve had recent crowns or fillings, if you have gum disease, cavities or other tooth decay concerns, and more. If you suffer from any of these conditions, you may also find yourself requiring a full mouth guard instead of just a simple swipe with a toothbrush.