We all ask ourselves ‘What can I do to maintain and keep my teeth for my lifetime?’ The answers to this question is pretty simple. All you have to do is follow these basic six simple tips.
The basic six simple tips…
Visit your dentist office twice a year
Keeping your routine oral health exams are at the heart of keeping your mouth as healthy as possible. We recommend that you schedule your general dentist appointments every six months. This gives your dentist the opportunity to examine your mouth and address any potential issues. Visit your dentist on a regular basis, even if you have dentures that assist you with your smile.
Practice good oral hygiene
Brush your teeth thoroughly and floss between the teeth to remove dental plaque is highly important.The ADA recommends brushing our teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush, and flossing daily in between teeth to keep plaque away. Drinking fluoridated water and brush with fluoride toothpaste is also highly recommended. If you have diabetes, work to maintain control of the disease. This will decrease risk for other complications, including gum disease.
If you brush and floss once a day, give yourself the challenge to start brushing and flossing twice a day for two minutes, your beautiful smile is depending on you!
Eating healthy is always important
While sugary treats are great once in awhile, and with Halloween right around the corner, we all indulge a little more than we should. Eating too many treats can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Try to focus on eating healthy fruits and vegetables as often as you can to promote healthy teeth and gums. When you do eat or drink a sweet treat, brush immediately after to remove excess sugar. When acting as a caregiver, help children and older individuals brush and floss their teeth if they are not able to perform these activities independently. You can always make it a game to see who can brush better after all of those holiday treats!
Importance of Mouthwash
In addition to regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings, rinse with mouthwash. Mouthwash does more than make your breath smell fresh. It also protects your teeth and gums by killing bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Rinse at least once a day for 30 – 60 seconds for the best results.
Tobacco Products
We are just going to start this off with ‘Do not use any tobacco products. If you smoke, quit.’
The nicotine and tar in cigarettes not only turns your teeth yellow, they erode your gums. According to WebMD, “Smoking creates a ripe environment for bacteria and plaque on your teeth and along the gum line. That harms tissue, degrades the bone that supports teeth, and eventually, increases your risk of tooth loss.”
Medication reactions to your teeth
Liquid medications especially ones for children have lots of sugar in them to mask the taste. There are also lots of side effects that can have effects on your mouth not just your teeth! If your medication causes side effects such as dry mouth, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco products and alcohol. Regardless, make sure to continue to brush your teeth to avoid any buildup of any bacteria that can form as a result of dry mouth and excess sugar from your medications.
Remember…. Nothing ruins a first impression like bad breath!
If you have Halitosis, this may be caused by several factors, but there are several helpful treatment options available. Stop by, or call us for a consultation and resolve this potentially embarrassing issue.
Remember, regular checkups are key to preventing major dental problems. Come in and let us use x-rays to detect decay in its earliest stages. You will be able to discover our new “micro air abrasion” process which lets us deal with decay without using shots or drills!
Our Team
The team here at Canyon Crest Dental is proud to offer a wide variety of services. If you have an issue, odds are we can help! We specialize in many areas of dentistry, including cosmetic, general, restorative and sedation! We have an extremely well trained staff that is able to handle any situation. We are able to treat just about anyone who walks through our doors!