Maintaining healthy gums and teeth has a huge influence on your overall health. Taking good care of your oral health is essential for keeping your natural teeth and preserving your smile. Take a look at these five oral health tips for helping you take good care of your mouth and preserve your smile.
Keep Your Regular Dental Checkups
In general, Dr. McCune recommends an oral health needs assessment every six months. Keeping up with your regular checkups is essential for helping you maintain good oral health. During a routine exam at Creekside Dental, you’ll be informed of any oral health issues that may have come up since your last visit. A thorough teeth cleaning may be recommended to prevent the accumulation of plaque and help prevent cavities.
Protect Your Teeth by Not Smoking
The nicotine and tar contained in cigarettes do a lot more damage than just turning your teeth yellow. These ingredients erode your gums. Smoking and vaping provides the perfect environment for plaque and bacteria to build up in your mouth, especially along the gum line and on your teeth. It can eventually lead to tooth loss. Preserve your smile by not smoking and seek help to break the habit if you do smoke.
Maintain A Daily Oral Hygiene Routine for Preserving Your Smile
To preserve your smile and your teeth, a daily regimen is necessary. Dr. McCune suggests brushing at least two times a day and flossing at least once every day. If you are unsure of proper brushing and flossing techniques, a dental professional at Creekside Dental will be happy to demonstrate the proper ways to brush and floss.
Use the Right Toothpaste and Mouthwash
You’ll want to choose the right types of products for your oral hygiene routine to ensure you are preserving your smile. Use fluoridated toothpaste for brushing and a soft to medium-bristled brush. It’s also a good idea to use a good mouthwash. It can help reduce plaque formation and help prevent gum disease too. Mouthwash is not to be used instead of brushing and flossing, but along with these activities. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after brushing and flossing as it can reach places your toothbrush and floss cannot. If you are not sure about which types of toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash you need, ask a dental professional at Creekside Dental. We are happy to help you find the best products.
Watch What You Eat
Nutrition plays a role in helping you preserve your smile. Although sugary treats are okay now and then, eating them too often can lead to tooth decay and cavities. When you do eat or drink a sweet snack, brush your teeth immediately to get rid of the excess sugar. Try to include nutrient-rich foods in your diet to promote healthy gums and teeth. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients that are good for your smile. Also, remember to include foods with plenty of calcium to keep your teeth healthy.
There are certain foods that are good for helping to clean your teeth too. Firm and crisp foods like celery, carrots, and apples are great for helping clean your teeth when you don’t have time to brush.
Contact Creekside Dental
At Creekside Dental, we emphasize preventive dentistry. Our goal is to help you maintain your smile and good dental health. We want to make sure you know what to do between routine appointments to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums in good health. Call us today to schedule your next exam!