Best Practices For A Healthy Smile

Good oral health is an important part of overall good health. Your mouth acts as a gateway to your body, and it plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being. Here are a few practices to follow to have the best smile.

• Flossing

When it comes to flossing, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that only 1 in 3 patients floss their teeth on a daily basis. The good news is that if you fall into that 1-in-3 category, you’re on the right track! Flossing is an essential part of everyday oral hygiene because it removes plaque from between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. It also massages your gums and stimulates them to produce more saliva, which rinses away food particles and prevents them from turning into harmful mouth bacteria. If you skip flossing for just one day, you miss an entire day’s worth of plaque buildup that your toothbrush simply cannot remove on its own!

• Brushing

You should brush your teeth at least two times a day. Try to brush after you eat a meal and again before you go to bed at night. This helps remove bacteria, plaque, and food debris from your teeth and gums before they have a chance to cause harm to your smile. It’s also helpful to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging your enamel while you clean your mouth.

Use additional cavity-fighting products as needed. When you suffer from mild to moderate decay or cavities, be sure to ask your dentist for a recommendation on the best way to treat the issue. This may include an antibacterial rinse or a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. You may also want to use a prescription toothpaste if recommended by your dentist. The product can help promote remineralization and reduce your risk of further deterioration caused by tooth decay. 

• Regular Dental Visits

It is important to establish a routine of twice-yearly visits to the dentist in addition to daily oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing twice a day. Your dentist will be able to thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any built-up plaque or tartar that may have been missed during regular cleanings. They will also perform an exam of the teeth, mouth, and overall oral health to ensure that everything looks healthy and that there are no issues that might need to be addressed. These visits will also be a great time to ask your dentist any questions you may have about your oral health.

Without these regular examinations and cleanings, you run the risk of increased decay, cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer. If left untreated, these issues can cause significant pain and even result in tooth loss. Additionally, poor dental health can also impact your overall health as well, as research has shown there are links between untreated gum disease and other health complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

In addition to your twice-yearly check-up and clean, you should also plan on visiting your dentist if you notice anything unusual happening with your oral health. If you are feeling any pain or discomfort in a tooth or other part of your mouth, see your dentist as soon as possible. By establishing these routines for your oral health, you will be taking great care of your teeth and gums for years to come.

Alta Vista Dental provides the best dental services in Livermore, CA, with the expertise of experienced dentists. Call 925-292-1459 and book your appointment to learn more ways to take care of your oral and dental health.