Dental Care Dos and Don’ts for a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth
Good oral care promotes healthy teeth for a lifetime. Unfortunately, many people make simple mistakes when caring for their smile that can increase their odds of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
Poor dental health can impact all aspects of life, such as job prospects and education. One study found that children with poor oral health were three times more likely to have dental pain that caused them to miss school.
Let’s look at important dental care dos and don’ts for maintaining a healthy smile.
Do’s of Good Dental Care
1. Do Reassess Your Diet
Diet plays a significant role in the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Consume nutrient-rich foods from all food groups and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your system run smoothly. Good options for dental health include fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, black and green teas, and dairy products like milk, cheese, and plain yogurt. Avoid sticky sweets and candies, too many starches, and carbonated soft drinks.
2. Do Master Your Flossing Technique
Flossing your teeth daily may seem like a simple task, but many people don’t floss properly. To ensure a good clean, hold a piece of floss tautly between your index fingers and thumbs and gently slide it up and down between your teeth. Curve the floss around the base of each tooth to bring it under the gum line. Do not force the floss to prevent bruising or cutting your gums.
3. Do Use an Electric Toothbrush
If you haven’t already, now is the time to switch from a manual to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have been found to do a better job of removing plaque and food debris from the teeth and gums than manual toothbrushes. In addition to providing a more reliable clean, electric toothbrushes offer specialized features, such as pressure sensors that help you brush properly.
4. Do Chew Sugarless Gum
Enjoy sucking on hard candies or other sweet treats? Consider making the switch to sugarless gum. Unlike hard candies that slowly dissolve in the mouth, sugarless gum helps fight bacteria by soaking the teeth in harmful sugars. It also increases your saliva production, which can help rinse away acids, sugars, and tartar in the mouth. Ideally, you want to chew for 20 minutes following a meal to help wash away leftover food particles and ward off tooth decay.
Don’ts of Good Dental Care
1. Don’t Ignore Dental Pains
A trip to the dentist can be costly, especially if you don’t have insurance. Many people try to live with dental pains to avoid these costs until the discomfort becomes too much. It is important to remember that a toothache can be a sign of a more severe problem, and waiting too long to have the tooth examined can lead to more significant issues in the long term.
2. Don’t Brush Too Hard
While it takes some pressure to remove stubborn plaque and stuck-on food from the teeth and gums, brushing too hard can have long-term repercussions. Tooth enamel is indeed the hardest substance in the body. However, when you brush hard regularly, it wears down your enamel, causing your gums to recede, which in turn exposes more of the tooth root.
3. Don’t Use Whitening Products
It’s common for your teeth to become stained and discolored over time, especially if you consume dark-colored foods or beverages or use tobacco products. While many over-the-counter tooth-whitening products are designed to whiten stained teeth, these products often contain abrasive ingredients that can weaken and thin tooth enamel. Instead, talk to your Clermont dentist about take-home whitening trays that allow you to safely whiten your teeth at home over 14 days.
Trust Us With Your Dental Health
With proper care, your teeth can last you a lifetime. At Hancock Village Dental, our team provides comprehensive family dental care services to help keep your smile healthy and beautiful. For more information about our preventative, restorative, or cosmetic services or to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Clermont, FL, call our office at 352-989-5815.
