• • Dr. Babak Firouzi
  • Team
  • Map & Directions
• • Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits
  • Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist
  • Questions for the Cosmetic Dentist
  • Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Smile Makeover
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Gum Recontouring
  • Invisalign
• • Crooked Teeth
  • Chipped Teeth
  • Discolored Teeth
  • Missing Teeth
  • Gaps Between Teeth
  • Misshapen Teeth
  • Gummy Smile
• • Porcelain Filling Gallery
  • Porcelain Veneer Gallery
  • Teeth Whitening Gallery
• • How to Choose a Dentist
  • Dental Hygiene & Oral Health
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Bridges
  • Dental Bonding
  • Dental Implants
  • Inlays & Onlays
  • Velscope
  • Endodontics
  • Sleep Apnea/Snoring
• • TMD
  • Neuromuscular Technology
  • Questions

Dental Hygiene & Oral Health

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Good oral health begins at home. Proper brushing, flossing, and abstinence from certain indulgences can greatly reduce your risk of cavities, tooth discoloration, gum disease, oral cancer, receding gums, and virtually any other dental problem. Here are some ways to ensure you are doing everything you can to maintain good oral health:

 

• Proper brushing – You should brush your teeth a minimum of two minutes twice a day, making sure to cover the entire surface of your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. A thorough teeth brushing will take more than two minutes, but our schedules do not always permit this. Be sure to replace your tooth brush every few months, as they wear out and lose effectiveness very rapidly, especially when used frequently. Always be gentle when you brush. Aggressive brushing can lead to receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and loose teeth.

• Proper flossing – Flossing should be done once a day or every other day, depending on your diet. Make sure to floss between each of your teeth. Again, be gentle when flossing. Aggressive flossing can also cause damage to your teeth and gums.

• Dietary factors – Sugary foods and beverages are best in moderation, but sometimes this is easier said than done. Sugars are responsible for more tooth decay than anything else we consume. If possible, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth within 20 – 30 minutes after eating anything high in sugar. Doing so will significantly decrease your risk of cavities and decay.

 

To prevent tooth discoloration, you may want to avoid common tooth staining beverages such as coffee, red wine, dark teas, and colas. This may also be much easier said than done. Brushing or rinsing after drinking any of these beverages will help prevent stain build-up.

 

Other lifestyle factors – It should be quite obvious by now, but tobacco use has no positive health benefits, and this certainly extends to dental health. Smoking or using chewing tobacco not only will stain your teeth, but significantly increases your risk of developing oral cancer and other gum disease.

 

If you live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and want to know more about what you can do to improve your oral health, please contact Pennsylvania cosmetic dentist Dr. Babak Firouzi today for a complimentary consultation.