Top 10 Tips From Dentists and Hygienists
Everyone wants a perfect smile, but knowing how to take the best care of your teeth can be hard. That’s where your dentist and hygienist come in! They can provide you with valuable advice on how to keep your mouth healthy.
Here are the top 10 tips from Fairfield Dental Arts’ dentists and hygienists that will help ensure you have a happy and healthy smile:
1. Brush Twice Daily
Brushing twice daily is essential for good oral hygiene. You should brush for at least two minutes each time and cover all parts of your mouth, including the backside of your molars and tongue.
2. Floss Regularly
Flossing is just as important as brushing to keep your teeth clean and healthy. You should floss at least once a day or more if you have food stuck between your teeth or other areas that require extra attention.
3. Use an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual brushes because they can reach deeper into the crevices between teeth, removing more plaque and bacteria. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease while giving you a cleaner mouth overall.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is essential for good oral health, so ensure you get enough fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts daily. Avoid sugary snacks like candy or soda as much as possible, as these can contribute to cavities and gum disease over time if consumed in excess amounts regularly.
5. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist every six months is essential for keeping up with your oral health routine. During checkups, dentists can detect early signs of decay or other issues before they become serious and expensive problems down the road. This also allows them to give feedback on any changes you might need to make to improve your oral hygiene habits further.
6. Don’t Smoke
Smoking dramatically increases the risk of gum disease due to its impact on reducing circulation in gums, making it harder for bacteria-fighting saliva to reach them effectively enough. It also causes discoloration of teeth from staining from tar as well as bad breath due not just from nicotine but also from other substances found within cigarettes like ammonia which increase these effects even further.
7. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash kills bacteria that brushing alone cannot reach. It also freshens breath better than brushing alone, thanks to its antiseptic properties, which kill germs that cause bad breath in the first place.
8. Avoid Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding (or “bruxism”) can cause permanent damage if left unchecked! If this occurs while sleeping, it’s best advised that one wears a special guard designed specifically for this purpose before bedtime so that one doesn’t grind their teeth during sleep without realizing it until it’s too late.
9. Use Fluoride Products
Fluoride helps protect against tooth decay by preventing acids produced by plaque bacteria from attacking enamel on our teeth surfaces! It’s typically found in tap water but can be supplemented through toothpaste or mouthwashes specially formulated with fluoride, making these ideal options for those looking for extra protection against cavities or periodontal diseases like gingivitis!
10. Don’t Chew Ice
Chewing ice may seem harmless enough, but it’s actually quite harmful because it can chip away at the enamel, causing cracks that then become sites where bacteria thrive. This can lead to cavity formation if left untreated long enough.
Contact Fairfield Dental Arts to schedule your dental cleaning and check-up appointment!
If you are worried about your teeth, need a cleaning, or are experiencing any dental problems, give Fairfield Dental Arts a call at (203) 254-3780. We are your family’s dentist and proudly provide expert oral care for people of all ages!