In over twenty years of practicing dental care, I have seen patients with both beautiful teeth and patients with teeth that were beyond repair. Often times the problems that patients experience in their mouths and with their teeth and gums could have been avoided with a few simple habits. Thankfully, today’s technology can refresh smiles and improve or even replace the teeth. However, because there are ways to maintain oral health, today’s post is going to focus on three basic tips I’d encourage patients to practice in order to increase the longevity of the teeth and gums of both yourself and those you love.
- Childhood Training
The fight over brushing and flossing before bedtime is never a fun one. However, periodontal disease is a preventable problem that simple brushing and flossing could remedy. Many parents teach their children to brush their teeth, but flossing is not always included – perhaps because the parents themselves aren’t flossing? Training from childhood will build a habit that will help prevent periodontal disease in adulthood. - Regular Appointments
Regular dental cleanings cannot not be stressed enough. Even the most precise “brusher and flosser” will have areas that have been missed that only professional tools can detect. In addition, yearly x-rays provide a chance for a dentist to locate cavities that can sometimes appear no matter how particular you are in your daily hygiene. - Health Habits
How you eat will not only affect your physical health, but it will affect your dental health. Maintaining a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle will influence the health of your teeth.
Those are just a few tips on maintaining your oral health.