If you’ve always wanted a healthier or more attractive smile, you’ll be glad to know that it’s easier to achieve than you may think. Along with routine care from a dentist in DeSoto, a few simple habits each day will greatly minimize cavities, bad breath, gum disease, and painful dental emergencies. Not to mention that your smile will look better, too! Keep reading to learn 5 easy ways to improve your oral health and help your teeth look and feel fantastic for a lifetime.
1. Practice On-the-Go Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing isn’t usually an option when you’re away from home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep things clean. One great option is chewing sugar-free gum. By increasing your salivary flow, you’ll wash away plaque and bacteria and also neutralize the acids that cause cavities. This is also a quick way to freshen your breath.
A second option is simply rinsing your mouth out with water after having meals, snacks or beverages like coffee, soda, and wine. This is a very simple way to flush away cavity-causing sugars and also pigments that can stain your teeth.
2. Make Good Dietary Choices
Start by being aware of your sugar intake and making efforts to minimize it by reducing soda and juice, candy, etc. You can also eat more of the foods that actually improve your oral health, including:
- Cheese has minerals like calcium and phosphate that counteract sugars and acids. Eating cheese has been shown to be effective at fighting cavities.
- Eating crunchy vegetables naturally “scrubs” your teeth to keep them cleaner.
- All fruits and vegetables have anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamins like vitamin C that improve your gum health.
3. Make Flossing Easier
It’s very common for people to struggle with flossing. Here are some ways to make it easier:
- If you currently don’t floss at all, start by flossing 3-4 times a week. Once you’ve established that habit, it’ll be easier to do it every day.
- If you find that you’re too tired to floss before bed, do it right after dinner when you have more energy.
- Experiment with the many hygiene aids on the market such as floss picks. Some people find that the right tools make a world of difference.
4. Invest In the Right Oral Hygiene Tools
In addition to flossing aids, an electric toothbrush is also a great choice. With thousands of brush strokes per minute, chances are it will do a better job than a manual. There are also options at every price point to fit your budget.
Also, tools like interdental brushes and oral irrigators can be especially helpful if you have gum disease or a lot of crown and bridge work.
5. Schedule a Checkup
Last but not least, routine dental checkups will go a long way towards preventing major dental problems. These visits allow a dentist to find and treat any problems early on and treat them with simple, inexpensive procedures. For example, small cavities can be repaired with dental fillings when they’re found in time. But if you wait until you feel pain, you may need a crown or root canal instead.
Having good dental health doesn’t have to be complicated. With these 5 easy tips, your smile will look and feel better before you know it.
About the Author
Dr. Suzanne Najjar is a family dentist in DeSoto and graduate of Nova Southeastern University. She loves how dentistry combines both art and science and gets immense professional satisfaction from helping people achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. If you’d like more information about improving your oral health or have any questions, you can reach Dr. Najjar via her website.