By Gentle Touch Dentistry Richardson
Whether you have healthy teeth or not, it’s important to take care of them. A trip to the dentist is a good idea once every six months, but there are also plenty of ways to prevent damage and disease on your own. Here are seven of my favorite dental tips:
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Brushing removes plaque, which is made up of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums when you eat or drink something sugary. Plaque can cause cavities if it isn’t removed regularly, so brushing helps keep them at bay!
If you have trouble remembering to brush regularly, try setting an alarm for yourself instead of relying on memory alone–it may just do the trick!
2. Eat breakfast
- Eat breakfast.
- Don’t skip it! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for good reason: It helps to set you up for success throughout your day by kickstarting your metabolism and keeping you full until lunchtime (or even longer). If you’re trying to lose weight or cut back on carbs, eat a protein-rich breakfast like eggs or Greek yogurt with fruit–and don’t be afraid of adding some healthy fats like avocado or nut butter into the mix!
3. Stay hydrated with water
The best way to stay hydrated is by drinking water throughout the day. You should drink about eight glasses of water per day, but if you find yourself feeling thirsty, then it’s time to drink more! If you find yourself dehydrated during meals or after eating, try having a glass of water before or after your meal.
Drinking plenty of fluids prevents dry mouth which can cause bad breath and tooth decay if left untreated. Try drinking a glass right before bed so that it can do its job while you sleep through the night!
4. Use floss daily
Flossing is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. It helps remove plaque from between your teeth, which can lead to cavities if left unchecked. If you’re not flossing daily, start now!
5. Regular Visit
You should visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. If you have a history of dental problems, this advice may seem obvious, but it’s important to schedule regular appointments even if everything seems fine.
If you find yourself avoiding the dentist or skipping visits because of cost or time constraints, consider finding a dental school near where you live–they often offer affordable services for students who need experience in order to graduate.
6. Reconsider sugar-free gum and candies
If you’re looking for a sweet treat that won’t ruin your diet or denture, consider sugar-free gum and candies. While these items may be low in calories, they can cause stomach upset if you have diabetes. Talk to your doctor about what kinds of sweets are safe for you–and don’t forget that there are plenty of dental benefits from eating them too!
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about what types of foods are best for both mommy and baby (and don’t forget about brushing).
7. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco products
Smoking and chewing tobacco products can cause a multitude of oral health problems, including tooth discoloration and decay.
In addition to damaging your teeth, smoking can also lead to gum disease. The chemicals in tobacco products irritate the gums, making them more susceptible to infection. This results in swollen or bleeding gums that make it difficult for you to clean between your teeth properly–and this can lead directly back up our list at number one: not brushing or flossing regularly!
In addition to these oral health issues, smoking may also contribute to bad breath (which is no fun for anyone). And finally: there’s an increased risk of developing oral cancer if you’re a smoker or chewer–so don’t let yourself get caught up in the habit!
Your dental health is important
- Brushing your teeth is the most important thing you can do for your dental health. Brushing twice a day will help remove bacteria, food particles, and plaque from your teeth.
- Eating breakfast every morning is also extremely important for good oral hygiene. Breakfast helps get your body ready for the day by providing the energy and nutrients that it needs to function properly.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep you hydrated so that it’s easier on your mouth when eating or drinking anything else! It also helps prevent cavities from forming because saliva contains minerals that promote remineralization (the process by which tooth enamel repairs itself).
- Flossing daily will remove buildup between teeth where regular brushing cannot reach effectively! This includes food particles trapped between molars as well as plaque around implants/bridges/crowns etc…
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for ways to improve your dental health, these tips can help. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and will have different needs and preferences when it comes to their teeth. So if one of these tips doesn’t work well for you or doesn’t align with your lifestyle, don’t worry! There are plenty more out there that might suit what you need better.
1. Is it possible to get cavities if you have braces?
Yes, it is possible to get cavities if you have braces. Braces can cause enamel erosion and make it easier for bacteria to enter your teeth. If you’re worried about cavities, we recommend taking extra care to brush and floss regularly, especially after meals and snacks.
2. How often should I brush my teeth?
We recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes each time. That’s how long it takes to remove plaque from all surfaces of your teeth. It’s important that you brush the outer surface (the one facing the tongue) as well as the inner surfaces where plaque tends to accumulate most easily.
3. Are there any foods that are bad for my teeth?
It’s true that some foods are more likely than others to damage our teeth or cause cavities; however, there are many different factors at play here—including how often we eat these foods and how much sugar they contain—so it’s difficult to say exactly which ones are bad for us without knowing more about what goes on inside our mouths when we eat them!
