Everyone should get a professional cleaning from their dentist at least twice a year to help keep their teeth nice and healthy. But how can you keep your teeth clean in between visits? Here’s a tip: it involves a lot more than just brushing and flossing. Your dentist in Bedford has 5 tips for you to practice good oral hygiene at home.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It also greatly helps protect your teeth against decay by making them more resistant to attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It can even help reverse early tooth decay.

In addition to finding it in water and certain foods, you can also apply fluoride directly to your teeth with fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses. Fluoride toothpaste is important for children in particular as it strengthens their teeth while they are still developing. However, too much fluoride – a condition called fluorosis – can result in white specks or streaks on the tooth enamel, or the outer layer of the tooth. Because of this, supervise young children as they brush and rinse their mouth to prevent them from consuming too much fluoride.

Mouthwash

Adding mouthwash to your routine of brushing and flossing can help promote healthy teeth and gums. Here are a few benefits of mouthwash:

• Stops cavities from forming. By regularly using mouthwash before or after you brush and floss, your teeth will be extra clean and protected against cavities, especially if you use a mouthwash containing fluoride.
• Freshens breath. Mouthwash kills bacteria responsible for bad breath, leaving your mouth feeling minty fresh.
• Prevents plaque build-up. Certain mouthwashes can stop plaque from building up on your gums and teeth in between brushing. But it cannot reduce the plaque that already exists in your mouth, so always brush and floss to remove the plaque before it becomes a problem.

Limiting Sugary Snacks

Foods and drinks that are high in sugar can more easily cause tooth decay. Certain harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars you eat. They then create acids that destroy tooth enamel, which can cause a cavity, or a hole in the tooth. If left untreated, cavities can grow into the deeper layers of the tooth, leading to serious pain and possible tooth loss. To prevent cavities, eat sugary foods occasionally rather than every day.

Balanced Diet

Replace sugary treats with snacks that are healthier for your teeth, such as:

• Cheese. Research has found that cheese can lower your risk of tooth decay. It also has calcium and protein, which strengthen enamel.
• Yogurt. Like cheese, yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It’s also high in probiotics, or good bacteria, that can help crowd out the bad bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities. Stick to a plain yogurt with no added sugar.
• Leafy greens. Greens like kale and spinach are high in calcium. They also contain folic acid, which has numerous health benefits, including potentially treating gum disease in pregnant women.

Avoiding Tobacco

Over time, smoking can cause stained teeth and bad breath. It also increases your risk of tooth decay and even oral cancer, as well as all the other well-known side effects it can have on the rest of your body.

If you need help quitting smoking, contact your family dentist in Bedford or any other healthcare professional. They can help you figure out a way to quit that works best for you.

As you can see, oral health is about more than brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups. You have to take responsibility and integrate these other healthy habits into your routine. Your mouth will thank you!

About the Practice

Dr. Maegan Elam and the teamwork to provide their patients at Maegan Elam, DDS & Associates with anxiety-free treatment. They are dedicated to meeting each patient’s needs to give them the beautiful and healthy smile they deserve. If you would like to learn more about oral hygiene, click here to contact the office or call (817) 283-2871.