As an adult, you probably have a set regimen in place for your oral health care.  Most adults are also established in a dental practice.  However, there are still many people who do not practice the following important oral health habits:

• It is recommended that you see your dentist every six months for an exam , cleaning and x-rays as needed.
• It is recommended that you brush and floss 2 times a day and use an additional fluoride rinse, such as ACT, at least 4-5 times a week.
• The use of additional fluoride can decrease decay by 50-70%
• Many adults tend to become complacent in their oral care routine. The lack of night time brushing and flossing will lead to gingivitis and advanced periodontal (gum) disease.
• Symptoms of periodontal disease are red and swollen gums, bleeding gums and halitosis (bad breath).
• Treatment for periodontal disease is a deep cleaning, called scaling, and root planing. This process requires 3-4 visits and anesthetic.  If ignored, this can lead to the need for gum surgery and loss of teeth.
• Adults, age 18 and older, should undergo a simple test to check for oral cancer once a year. This test should be done on all adults-not just adults who use tobacco products.
• Using tobacco products affects not only your heart and lungs, but it can also lead to esophageal and oral cancer.