Taking your oral health seriously is immensely important. If you want your smile to last you a lifetime, you must ensure you are taking all the necessary steps to keep your mouth’s health in check. Make good oral care a habit by brushing your teeth two to three times a day as well as flossing at least once a day. Also, do your best to avoid food high in sugar and make sure to go every 4 to 6 months for a cleaning and checkup at your family dentist in Keller. You should also encourage healthy oral care habits with your children from a young age so that they can have a healthy smile for life too.
Your oral health is linked to your overall health, so it’s important to take it just as seriously. Keep reading to learn more about how you can get and maintain a healthier smile.
Practice good oral care
When your dentist stresses the importance of taking care of your teeth, it’s not just because teeth are his or her specialty. Your family dentist in Keller stresses the importance of this because they have seen the outcomes of not caring from one’s smile.
Practice good oral care by brushing your teeth 2 to 3 times a day. When you brush, make sure you use enough toothpaste (with fluoride) and that you are brushing for 2 minutes. Also, remember to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 90 days. The first step to a healthier mouth is that of following the basic rules of brushing and flossing regularly.
You should be flossing at least once a day. Don’t skip this step, flossing is just as important as brushing. Flossing helps to keep your gums healthy, which are the home in which your teeth reside, so clearly they are pretty important!
Limit your sugar and acid intake
Two of your teeth’s worst enemies are sugar and acid. Foods and drinks that are highly acidic or sugary break down your teeth’s natural enamel. The bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay feed off of sugar, so the more sugar you consume, the higher the levels of these bacteria in your mouth. Avoid the obvious high sugar foods but lookout for food and drinks with hidden sugar as well, like many juices, some dried fruit snacks, and so on. Lower your acid intake by consuming less coffee, alcohol, as well as concentrated lemon, lime, etc.
Visit your dentist on a regular basis
It is very important to visit your family dentist in Keller regularly for cleanings and checkups. This should be about every 4 to 6 months, depending on your unique dental situation. Visiting your dentist regularly helps ensure a lower plaque buildup as well as allows him to catch any oral health issues early on before they can progress and cause permanent damage.
Quit smoking
Surely you already know how bad smoking is for your general health, however, you might not realize how damaging it is to your oral health. Smoking cigarettes is the number one cause of mouth, tongue, and throat cancer. Smoking cigarettes also leads to plaque buildup, bad breath, gum disease, and yellowing/staining of the teeth.
Boost your oral health, and your overall health, by making the decision to quit smoking.
Drink more water
Your body is about 60% water, so considering your body runs off it, it’s important to always stay hydrated. Drinking more water aids in not just your oral health, you’re your overall health. If you drink more water, you will likely see better functioning of your digestive system as well as healthier skin. Drinking water after a meal is great for helping to remove stuck food particles in between your teeth.
Need a family dentist in Keller that you can trust?
Follow these tips to help maintain a healthier smile as well as a healthier you. When choosing a family dentist in Keller, you want someone you can trust, someone who you know has your best interest at heart. Here at Brent Cornelius, D.D.S., that is exactly what we have to offer. Schedule an appointment by contacting us today.
