Healthier teeth is a common New Year’s resolution and for a good reason. Your oral health is directly linked to your overall health. Untreated gum disease can introduce bacteria into your bloodstream, causing inflammation and leaving you more susceptible to heart disease. Luckily, this promise to yourself is relatively easy to keep. These five tips will help you achieve and maintain a radiant smile.
1. Brush and Floss Daily.
Brushing twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste is an essential part of healthy teeth and gums, but make sure you’re not cleaning too hard as you can scrub away your natural tooth enamel (the outer protective layer that gives your teeth that shine) and cause receding gums. Use a timer to ensure you brush your teeth for two minutes and hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to make sure you reach all the problem areas. You should also floss once a day, but if you do forget, flossing at least three or four times a week can significantly improve the state of your teeth. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or water after meals is also a good practice for proper oral hygiene.
2. Stay Away from Acidic or Sugary Drinks and Foods.
Soft drinks, candies, fruit juices, and the like can do significant damage to your oral health, especially if you forget to brush and floss. Acidic compounds can eat away at your tooth enamel and quickly lead to cavities, or tooth decay. Foods and drinks with high amounts of sugar also make you more likely to develop cavities because the sugar turns to acid in your mouth. If you must have your sweets, brush and floss afterward or at least rinse with mouthwash or water.
3. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools.
Many adults and teens struggle with nail-biting or chewing on pen caps, but it’s also common for our Brighton patients to use their teeth as tools such as opening a package or removing a bottle top. Those habits can wear down your teeth and put you at risk for chips and cracks. If you play contact sports or another activity that puts you at risk of knocking out or chipping a tooth, be careful and wear a mouth guard.
4. See Our Dentist in Brighton Every 4-6 Months.
Regular dental exams, x-rays, and teeth cleanings are an essential part of healthy teeth and gums. This is when our dentist checks for signs of oral cancer, burgeoning cavities, and scrapes the buildup off of your teeth. We typically recommend bi-annual exams, but some patients benefit more from three or more visits, depending on the current state of your mouth.
5. Utilize Restorative or Cosmetic Treatments.
There’s only so much you can do through diet and proper dental hygiene. If you have crooked, chipped, cracked, or missing teeth, you’ll need to address those issues to achieve a healthier mouth. Missing teeth leave your mouth open to bacteria and will lead to more tooth loss. Cosmetic dentistry options such as porcelain veneers can address imperfections, and dental implants are a great way to restore a full smile.
Schedule Your Dental Exam & Cleaning in Brighton
If you’re ready for a healthier, stunning smile, contact our dentist at Bromley Park Dental in Brighton, Colorado today at (303) 558-5870 to schedule your appointment. Our general and cosmetic dentist serves patients from surrounding areas of Northern Colorado including Thornton, Commerce City, and Fort Lupton.
