You have likely heard this dental care tip since you were a child: Brush your teeth twice a day with cavity-fighting toothpaste. It is one of the simplest tips that can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Avoiding sugary foods and drinks is also important. Even a single piece of candy can wear away at tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
Brush Twice a Day
If you want to prevent cavities and gum disease, brushing your teeth twice a day is non-negotiable. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes in the morning and evening with toothpaste that contains fluoride. It’s also important to use a toothbrush, floss, mouthwash or oral irrigator that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Brushing your teeth twice a day removes food particles from the surfaces of your teeth and helps to prevent bad breath. It can also help to reduce the formation of plaque and tartar. Brushing also stimulates saliva production, which can wash away odor-causing bacteria and keep your teeth healthy.
It may feel like brushing takes forever, but sticking with this routine will make a huge difference in your oral health. If you’re interested in getting into a regular oral care routine, talk to our dentists at Northview Dental about scheduling your next cleaning. It’s much easier (and less expensive) to take preventive action than to deal with a serious problem later on!
Floss Daily
Flossing removes the food debris that brushes miss and helps prevent gum disease. It also reveals the areas where brushing may need more attention, such as heavy plaque or sensitive teeth or gums.
Dental flossing is a simple, inexpensive way to improve your oral health. It is recommended that you floss at least once a day, preferably before bed.
When you are flossing, be sure not to snap the strand of floss between your fingers, which could cause harm and will also not be as effective. It is recommended that you use a new section of floss for each tooth.
Many people choose to floss first thing in the morning or before going to sleep. However, any time of the day is a good time to floss. To make it more convenient, try carrying a small pack of disposable floss with you in your pocket or purse for on-the-go hygiene. You can even buy single-use floss holders to help you reach those hard to get places in your mouth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is important for ensuring that you have healthy teeth and gums. During these visits, your dentist can check for cavities, signs of gum disease, and other issues that can be caught and treated early on.
The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and oral exam. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation and some people may need to visit the dentist more often. This includes smokers, diabetics, pregnant women, and others who have a higher risk of developing oral health problems.
Regular visits to the dentist also give your dentist the opportunity to look for other health concerns, such as jaw misalignment, which can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The earlier these issues are caught and treated, the better the outcomes will be. This is true for all types of health issues, from tooth decay to heart disease.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet isn’t just good for your heart, it’s also great for your teeth and gums. Eating a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods that contain calcium, vitamin A, C, D and K, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, and fiber helps your teeth stay strong and healthy.
Avoid sugary, carbohydrate-rich and acidic foods that can cause tooth decay such as candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream and candies, soda and fruit juice. Sticky sweets, like raisins or gummies, cling to teeth and provide a fuel source for harmful bacteria that can lead to plaque, tartar and cavities.
It’s important to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and wash away food particles from teeth. However, make sure to read the nutrition facts on your drinks to choose those low in sugar, calories, sodium and saturated fat. If you are going to eat a sugary or acidic snack, try to eat it as part of a meal so that the increased saliva released during digestion can help wash away any remaining particles from your teeth.