Best Practices For A Healthy Smile

Good dental hygiene is the key to good oral health and a healthy smile. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. It only takes a few minutes a day to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Here are a few habits that can help maintain good oral health. 

• Brush regularly

One of the most important things you can do for your smile is brush regularly. The best toothbrush is one that is comfortable for you to use and reaches all surfaces of your teeth. You should brush your teeth every morning and every night before going to bed. Ideally, you should use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush and spend two minutes brushing to remove plaque from teeth and prevent cavities. 

• Floss daily

Brushing your teeth is important, but flossing is just as important for a healthy smile. When it comes to your oral health, brushing and flossing need to be your top priorities. Here are some tips to maximize the effectiveness of your flossing routine:

• Use waxed floss. Regular floss is fine to use, but some people with sensitive gums may find regular floss to be too abrasive. Waxed floss is usually softer and ideal for those with sensitive gums.
• Take your time! Stay focused on the task at hand so that you can make sure you’ve cleaned every tooth thoroughly. If your gums are bleeding, it could mean that you’ve been too rough while flossing.
• Gently curve the floss around each tooth, sliding it into the space between each tooth and gently scraping up and down against the surface of your tooth. Repeat this process for each of your teeth. Then, move to the gumline by gently curving the floss into a C-shape around each of your teeth. Again, glide it up and down along the side of each tooth, making sure to get in between your teeth and the gums. Repeat until you’ve flossed all of your teeth.

• See your dentist for regular checkups

Seeing your dentist regularly is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Professional cleanings and exams allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and spot any issues early on when they can be treated conservatively and easily. For example, catching a small cavity early means that you can restore your tooth with a filling and avoid getting a more expensive root canal treatment later. Regular professional checkups are also the best way to prevent gum disease and its potentially serious complications, such as tooth loss. Your dentist can help you determine a treatment plan to best address your dental health needs.

• Limit sugary snacks

While it’s important to eat a healthy diet, there are a couple of things that you should avoid to keep your smile healthy. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are great for chewing because they scrape away plaque from the surface of your teeth (make sure to always brush afterward for at least two minutes). However, chips and crackers are some of the worst foods for your smile because they tend to get stuck in between teeth and can cause cavities. If you are craving something crunchy to snack on, try carrots, apples, or celery sticks instead.

You should also limit your sugar intake – this means avoiding not only candy and other sweet treats but also sodas and fruit juices. These drinks tend to be high in sugar and acid, which can contribute to tooth decay over time. Water is always a good choice to drink, but if you’re craving a different flavor, try unsweetened tea or sparkling water with a citrus twist instead.

At our practice, we make our patient's dental our top priority. Visit our clinic to get a thorough examination, to determine the best treatment for your condition.