Top 5 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Dental Health in 2017
Everyone wants to be confident in his or her smile. We all know good dental hygiene makes for strong, healthy teeth, but there is some confusion on the best practices for maintaining that healthy smile. This is why Your Community Dental has come up with a list of the top 5 things you can do to improve (or maintain) your dental health. Start 2017 off right by taking care of your smile.
- Proper Brushing.
It should be no surprise that brushing one’s teeth can prevent poor dental hygiene. But, what is not commonly known is how to properly brush. Simply slapping some toothpaste on the brush and running it through your mouth won’t do. It’s important to hold the brush at a 45 degree angle the entire time you are brushing. This position allows for all the bristles in your brush to be utilized. In addition, it is important not to brush forcefully. Use a soft bristled brush and move in an up-and-down/back-and-forth motion with light pressure. Too much force can cause your gums to recede, increasing chances of gum disease.
2. Flossing
Despite what you may have heard recently, flossing is necessary. It fights cavities, gum disease, and helps prevent bad breath. Floss once a day, morning or night, and make sure to get between each tooth. The rule is, if your gums begin to bleed after flossing, you are not doing it enough.
- Reduce Intake of Soda, Coffee, and Alcohol.
As difficult as it may sound, cutting back on these types of beverages promotes healthy teeth and gums. What these drinks do is provide too much phosphorus, which can lead to tooth discoloration, decay, and even oral disease. You do not need to eliminate these from your diet completely, but it is important to lesson your consumption to as little as possible (try only drinking one cup of coffee a day, or soda only on the weekend, etc.).
- Drink Your Vitamins.
Try replacing some of the beverages from number 3 with milk or orange juice. These two liquids are high in calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B, which are excellent for strengthening and whitening your teeth. Just try one glass of milk or juice, or both, a day and see how your smile improves!
Most importantly, visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. This greatly reduces your chance of tooth decay and gum disease, and it keeps you aware of your current oral health.
Schedule your next cleaning at Your Community Dental today and let us help you get your best smile.