Maintaining good dental habits helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, preventing decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Brushing and flossing are, of course, vital, but other dental habits can also help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your visits to the dentist.
Brushing and flossing are, of course, vital, but other dental habits can also help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your visits to the dentist.
Basic Dental Habits
Basic habits to keep your teeth healthy are brushing, flossing, and making regular visits to the dentist. Diligent cleaning and regular check-ups will go a long way toward maintaining your overall oral health. However, there are ways to ensure these basic measures are as effective as possible:
- Use proper technique when brushing and flossing
- Use the right kind of toothbrush
- Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Ask your dentist if you need help with proper technique or tools
Regular visits to the dentist are very important because the dentist can monitor your teeth and gums and prevent any problems from becoming too serious. Family dentistry can also help ensure you and your children all receive appropriate care. Some of the major services your dentist provides include:
- Regular cleaning
- X-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Fluoride treatments
- Evaluation of gums
By evaluating your mouth with X-rays and screenings, your dentist can find early signs of decay and gum disease that can be treated far more easily if found quickly.
Other Habits to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
In addition to standard hygiene and dental visits, you can help maintain good oral health by being careful about your diet and by avoiding habits and situations that could cause damage to your teeth. For example, if you play contact sports, be sure to wear a mouth guard. Trips and falls are a common cause of oral trauma and tooth loss, so be careful of uneven surfaces and wintry conditions. Even something as simple as biting on your pens or eating ice can chip or crack your teeth.
A good diet helps maintain overall health. Avoid sugary foods and beverages, as these can greatly increase your likelihood of developing tooth decay.
If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, call our caring team of specialists at 817-465-0355 today and schedule an appointment to discuss your oral hygiene.