Preventive Dentistry Tips: Improving Your Dental Health
Dr. Victor R. Siegel is among the leading dentists in Rockville, offering comprehensive general dentistrt treatment to improve dental health and, in the process, total wellness. A component of good dental care is patient education, which is why certain tips for preventative care are common with each visit.
With this in mind, let's go over some common sense tips for preventative dentistry that will help patients avoid issues with tooth decay, chipped and cracked teeth, dental stains, gum disease, and much more.
Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice a Day
We really can't stress this enough: people should brush their teeth at least twice a day. This removes food particles and plaque, making tooth decay less likely. Ideally, patients should consider brushing their teeth after every meal.
Floss Your Teeth at Least Once a Night
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, and yet people neglect to floss. Your toothbrush can only reach so many parts of your mouth, so flossing is a sure way to get the spaces between your teeth clean and free from food particles and plaque. Floss your teeth at least once a night, though ideally consider flossing after every meal.
Be Gentle When Cleaning Your Teeth
So you're brushing and flossing regularly, which is great, but if you're brushing and flossing too aggressively, you may actually be harming your gums. This is a potential cause of gum recession. Be sure to brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and do so gently, and go easy while flossing too.
Kick the Habit: Quit Using Tobacco Products
Smoking and chewing tobacco don't just cause cancer, heart disease, and other general wellness issues. Tobacco products can cause major dental stains, gum disease, and gum recession as well. If you want the best smile possible and to have great health for years to come, kick the habit for good.
Avoid Chewing on Objects You Shouldn't
As a nervous habit or an unconscious habit, many people bite their fingernails, nibble on drinking straws, crunch ice cubes in their mouth, or chew on pens. These can all cause damage to your teeth over time, making chips and cracks more likely. To prevent problems down the road, it's a great idea to quit these bad habits.
Do Not Use Your Teeth Like a Tool
On a related note, a number of people often open bags of chips or packaging by using their teeth rather than scissors. This can cause tooth damage just as much as the previous bad habit. Next time something is tricky to open, look for a pair of scissors instead of biting down.
Stop Snacking On Sugary Foods and Drinks
Remember when you parents said that all that candy would rot your teeth? They were right. The oral bacteria that causes tooth decay loves sugar. If you want to avoid tooth decay, try to avoid snacking on candy, junk food, sodas, and sugary beverages.
Wear Mouth and Head Protection When Applicable
A number of serious injuries can occur while playing contact sports, engaging in combat sports, or suffering an injury at a high-risk and physically demanding job. Because of this, it's of the utmost importance that you wear mouth guards, helmets, and other other kinds of proper face and head protection associated with the task before you.
Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day with Water
Water removed food particles from between your teeth, helps keep your mouth moist and saliva flowing, and quenches your thirst most effectively. Stay hydrated to keep your smile healthy.
Visit Your Dentist for Routine Checkups
While seeing your dentist twice a year doesn't seem like much, it makes a major difference when it comes to your dental health. Be sure to attend routine checkups and to discuss dental health issues with your dentist each time you are in the office.
Contact Our Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Center Today
For more tips on how to avoid dental problems and to learn about all of your dental care treatments options, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Victor R. Siegel and the entire team here looks forward to your visit and helping you smile be as healthy and beautiful as possible.