Preventive Dentistry Tips for a Bright, Healthy Smile
To enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile, you need to take good care of your teeth and gums. In addition, your oral health is closely linked to your general wellbeing, so you can help preserve your overall health by caring for your smile. Dr. Bill Stofer and Dr. Jason Hemphill can help you detect, prevent, and treat dental disease or damage with our general dentistry services. Being proactive about cleaning and protecting your teeth can help you avoid the need for costly and time-consuming dental procedures. Below, our experienced Warsaw dentists offer five preventive dentistry tips to help you experience a dazzling, healthy smile.
1. Brush and floss your teeth.
The primary culprit behind most dental disease is plaque, a sticky film that can develop on teeth. The bacteria in plaque can infect your gum tissue and produce acids that erode your enamel. To prevent plaque from taking over your mouth, you should brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss at least daily. These dental hygiene techniques allow you to remove plaque and food particles from your tooth’s surfaces to keep them smooth, shiny, and healthy.
2. Attend routine cleanings and exams.
Our dentists recommend that patients come in for preventive care appointments at least twice a year. During these visits, one of our dentists will assess your mouth to look for symptoms of any oral health problems so that we can treat them before they worsen. Our hygienists will also thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any accumulated plaque or tartar (the hardened form of plaque). We will provide dental hygiene tips to use at home during these appointments so you can keep your teeth healthy between visits.
3. Avoid snacking.
When you eat throughout the day, you constantly expose your teeth to new sugars, carbohydrates, and debris that can form plaque and feed bacteria. To preserve your dental health, it’s best to consume several larger meals, ideally brushing and flossing your teeth soon after you eat. Of course, some snacks are much better for your teeth than others. If you need an afternoon nibble, munching on carrot sticks is better than eating chewy, sugary candies.
4. Drink plenty of water.
Staying hydrated is key to maintaining your oral health. Swishing water around your mouth during and after a meal can prevent debris from sticking to your teeth and allowing plaque to form. In addition, drinking plenty of water helps your body produce enough saliva, which contains cavity-fighting compounds and enzymes. You can also use water to replace other potentially harmful beverages such as acidic, carbonated sodas and sugary fruit juices.
5. Chew xylitol gum.
Xylitol, which can be found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, is a sugar alcohol that can help fight decay. In addition to having a sweet taste, this compound can prevent cavity-causing bacteria from reproducing and damaging your teeth. Chewing xylitol gum after meals can help remove debris, encourage a healthy saliva flow, and prevent plaque formation. This is a simple and convenient way to maintain your dental health when you can’t brush your teeth right away.
Learn More about Preventive Dentistry
We enjoy helping patients improve their oral health for healthier, more attractive smiles. Please contact our office today to learn more preventive dentistry tips or schedule an appointment.
