Best Practices For A Healthy Smile

Good oral health is more than just having a beautiful smile. Good oral health also means having healthy teeth and gums. The health of your mouth affects your whole body. Poor oral health allows bacteria, plaque, and tartar to build up, which can result in tooth decay and gum disease. Having good oral health prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Here are a few tips for maintaining good oral health: 

• Brushing

Brushing your teeth regularly is one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain the health of your smile. Brushing your teeth removes plaque, bacteria, and food particles from the surfaces of your teeth. Brushing also helps to eliminate bad breath and freshens your breath. Electric toothbrushes are recommended by dentists because they remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes.

• Flossing

Flossing your teeth daily is vital to a healthy smile. In addition to removing food and plaque from areas where your toothbrush cannot reach, flossing also helps prevent gum disease.

• Regular dental checkups

We recommend visiting your dentist regularly for a comprehensive exam and dental cleaning. These appointments enable our team at [practice name] to monitor your oral health and take note of any changes that may occur over time.

When you visit your dentist for a routine checkup, your dentist will check for plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and perform a dental cleaning. During your cleaning, your dentist will scrape off any plaque that has built up on your tooth surfaces. Your dentist will use a hand scaler or ultrasonic scaler to remove the plaque. An ultrasonic scaler is a device that uses vibrations to remove plaque from your teeth. Your dentist will also floss your teeth.

The dentist will also examine your smile for signs of damage, decay, and other issues and recommend treatments to improve your oral health.

• Consume a balanced diet

What you eat and drink affects your teeth and gums. Consume foods that are good for your body as well as your oral health. For example, fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and antioxidants, which are great for fighting off bacteria.

• Quit smoking

Smoking is extremely detrimental to your oral health. Not only does smoking increase your risk of developing oral cancer, but it also stains your teeth and causes bad breath. Additionally, tobacco use can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

• Limit sugary foods and drinks

This does not mean you can never enjoy a sweet treat again. As long as you brush and floss your teeth after eating, you can enjoy these foods in moderation.

• Drink fluoridated water

Water is essential for health and hydration, and fluoridated water can help maintain oral health. Water helps rinse debris from between teeth and washes away food particles. The fluoride also helps prevent cavities by strengthening teeth.

For more tips and comprehensive dental care, visit G. Larry Leonakis, DDS at 371 S Roop St, Carson City, NV 89701. Call us at (775) 882-0635 for appointments.