A beautiful smile begins with dedicated dental maintenance and care. While visiting the dentist allows patients to address greater oral health concerns, there are several issues in dentistry that are preventable with proper at-home dental care. Here is what you should and shouldn’t be doing to maintain a bright, beautiful smile.
Brush at Least Twice a Day
As we go throughout our day, millions of bacteria accumulate in our mouths as plaque. Plaque gets stuck on and in between teeth, in between gums, and can potentially wreak havoc on the dental system if unaddressed. This plaque hardens to tartar after 24 hours. Tartar cannot be removed with a normal toothbrush, which makes it incredibly important to remove plaque at least twice a day to ensure teeth remain healthy and beautiful.
Floss at Least Once a Day
The proximity of teeth to each other makes it difficult to clean between small spaces with a tooth brush. Dental floss gets in these areas where food and bacteria become stuck and accumulate. It is essential to ensure teeth are free from food and plaque during nights of rest and prolong periods of time to avoid complications such as cavities and gingivitis.
Brush Your Tongue
Your tongue acts like a sponge for bacteria, which can cause poor dental health and bad breath. Brushing your tongue while brushing dislodges bacteria that can hide between the grooves of the tongue.
Avoid Foods High in Added Sugar
Too much sugar can cause several detriments to your health. In addition to dietary complications, sugar that lingers on teeth produce an acid that erodes the tooth’s enamel and causes decay. Not only will your waistline appreciate your avoiding sugar, you’ll benefit from a strong, healthy set of teeth.
Don’t Use Tobacco
If you wanted another reason to quit smoking, tobacco products cause gums to recede, teeth to decay, and a decline in general health. Quit using tobacco products and your overall health will thank you for it.
Learn More
Find out more about maintain good dental function and health. Call or visit Zelazny Family Dentistry in Glen Allen and discuss issues in dental care that will help bring out and keep your natural, beautiful smile.