Four Seasons and Your Oral Health

At Four Seasons Dental Care, Colorado Springs dentist Dr. Brady Sefcik and our staff of experienced and compassionate dental hygienists want every patient to enjoy the very best health possible.

Oral Health Important In Overall Health

While you might not realize it, your oral health plays an important role in determining your overall health. Studies have found significant links between an individual’s oral health and his or her risk of developing such chronic illnesses as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and cancer.

Currently, much speculation remains about why the health of individual’s teeth and gums can increase their risk of seemingly unrelated diseases. One theory suggests that oral plaque, the sticky substance that builds up on the surface of your teeth and contributes to the development of tooth decay and gum disease, can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body causing inflammation wherever it goes. Inflammation is the body’s natural defense against bacteria and disease, and studies have found inflammation to be a primary factor in the development of a majority of illnesses.

Fortunately, you can help lower your risk of chronic disease by practicing just a few oral hygiene fundamentals.

Take Brushing and Flossing Seriously

Brushing and flossing rank as the two most effective habits for lowering your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque, the sticky oral bacteria linked to an increased risk of disease, thrives in the mouth where it feeds off the sugars we eat to produce acids that slowly erode away tooth enamel.

Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways of removing plaque from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line. Considering the long-term health consequences you could potentially face by allowing plaque to grow unchecked, it makes sense for you to help lower your chance of disease by taking your daily oral hygiene routine seriously.

American Dental Association Recommends

The American Dental Association recommends brushing for at least two minutes at a time, twice a day – ideally once in the morning and then again before bedtime. Despite the need to brush, studies have found that, on average, Americans only spend about 30 seconds total a day brushing. This isn’t nearly enough time to adequately clean all of the hard to reach areas of your mouth.

Flossing is another habit that effectively helps to remove plaque and lingering food particles from areas your toothbrush cannot reach. The majority of cavities form in the spaces between teeth, which makes flossing even more important than brushing when it comes to protecting your long-term oral health. Yet, studies have shown that 49 percent of Americans fail to floss on a daily basis, with 10 percent not flossing at all.

Just Five Minutes A Day

By spending just five minutes a day tending to your oral hygiene, you can significantly lower your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Finding the time and making the commitment to your oral health offers significant advantages that shouldn’t be taken lightly. So the next time you think about not flossing or brushing for long enough, take a little more time. Your body and smile will thank you in the end.

Schedule Regular Dental Appointments

Scheduling regular dental exams and with Colorado Springs dentist Dr. Brady Sefcik and cleanings with our staff of gentle dental hygienists at Four Seasons Dental Care ranks just behind brushing and flossing in maintaining and improving your oral health.

Regular exams provide Dr. Sefcik with the opportunity to spot any signs of oral disease early on before the condition can become progressively worse. When treated early, oral conditions like tooth decay and gum disease can be easily reversed. Every exam also includes an oral cancer screening from Dr. Sefcik. The earlier a patient receives an oral cancer diagnosis the higher his or her chances of recovery become.

Cleanings allow our staff of compassionate and experienced dental hygienists the opportunity to remove built-up plaque deposits from the surface of your teeth. When plaque hardens into tartar, it causes discoloration to the surface of your teeth while also increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar can only be removed from your teeth during cleanings, which makes it important that patients schedule at least two a year.

We know you have a lot of choices when searching for a dentist in Colorado Springs. That’s why Dr. Sefcik and the rest of our staff at Four Seasons Dental Care pledge to always provide our patients with the latest, most advanced dental care possible. Be sure to check back here to read future blog posts that will provide you with the latest news and information you need to help maintain and improve your oral health now and in the future.