Do you brush and floss but want to know the best ways to care for your smile? Here we will review the best ways to improve oral health at home and in our Lititz, PA dental office. Caring for your smile helps enhance the appearance of your teeth and gums and can prevent future oral health issues. You can maintain and improve your dental health with regular dental visits and at-home care.
Improve Your Oral Health in Lititz, PA
There are several ways you can immediately improve your dental health:
Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
Brushing and flossing daily can make a huge difference in your smile. Knowing the right way to brush and floss can also provide a more effective clean. If you own a manual toothbrush, gently brush at a 45-degree angle, first on the outside of the teeth near the gum line. Rotate the brush and brush each tooth about five times. Once you brush the outside of the teeth, move to the chewing surfaces, and finally clean the inside of the tooth surfaces. If you own an electric toothbrush, you do not need to rotate your brush. Spend a couple of seconds on each tooth before moving on to the next tooth. Flossing before you brush can help remove food particles from between teeth while brushing your tongue can also minimize harmful bacteria.
Limit Sugar Intake
Too much sugar in your diet is bad for your oral health and can increase the likelihood of periodontitis or cavities. Harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starches. They produce digestive acids that irritate gums and break down the outer tooth enamel. Over time, the bacterial buildup can lead to holes in the enamel and even tooth loss. Hydrating regularly, cleaning your teeth and gums, and limiting sugar in your diet can prevent these problems.
Stop Using Tobacco Products
Cigarettes, vapes, and other products that contain nicotine and tobacco are not only bad for your lungs but can stain teeth and cause bad breath. Furthermore, smoking if you have dental implant treatment or a dental extraction can slow down the healing process. Nicotine often inhibits the immune system, making healing a longer process.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
We recommend that our patients visit the dentist on a regular basis, typically biannually or every six months. At routine dental appointments, our hygienists use stainless steel dental tools to scale the teeth, removing tartar and calculus from the mouth. We also take digital scans and x-rays to view the teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw. With regular x-rays, we can keep track of our patients oral health and prevent further health complications by catching problems early.
Has it been a long time since your last regular dental visit? Call Dr. Sara Gotwalt today at [new_patient_phone_span]. You may also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Gotwalt online.