Your oral health can have an impact on your overall health. In order to stay healthy, we recommend keeping your smile free of common oral health concerns. There are a number of ways to improve oral health. With the right preventive care and maintenance you can enjoy a beautiful smile free of common concerns, such as gum disease or tooth decay.
5 Ways for Improving Oral Health
- Floss daily: Sounds pretty simple, right? Flossing is simple! Just be sure to floss gently up and down each side of the tooth. This removes food particles that a toothbrush’s bristles won’t reach. Otherwise, bacteria will break down the food particles and coat the teeth in a sticky biofilm known as plaque, which inflames gum tissue and weakens tooth enamel.
- Choose the right toothbrush: Think any brush will do? We suggest using one with soft bristles. They can still remove plaque and food from the teeth, but you don’t risk damaging enamel if you brush too hard, which can happen with medium or hard bristles.
- Have your teeth professionally cleaned: While brushing and flossing can remove plaque, only a cleaning can remove hardened plaque, also known as tartar. Without a cleaning, the risk of developing gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth decay can increase. Once every six months have your teeth cleaned for a brighter and healthier smile.
- Drink more water: Sports drinks, soda, fruit juice, and energy drinks all have one thing in common: they can damage your teeth and lead to decay. However, water keeps you hydrated, is healthy, and doesn’t pose a risk to your smile.
- Choose healthy snacks: Sugary snacks may taste good but they also hurt your overall health and your smile. Instead, try nuts, low-fat yogurt, or fresh fruit and vegetables. These snacks fuel your body and don’t hurt your smile.