Want to Prevent Cavities This Year? Start Here!
Was 2016 a terrible year for your oral health? In fact, were you diagnosed with more cavities than usual? If so, you may have been glad to learn that modern restorations allow dentists to help address most cavities quickly and with cosmetically-appealing results. That said, you likely started this new year committed to taking better preventive care of your smile. After all, no one wants to be diagnosed with a cavity, much less several. Fortunately, preventive dental care isn’t complicated. It doesn’t even have to be time-consuming or expensive. A few simple changes to your daily routine could likely help you better protect your teeth in 2017!
Drink More Water and Eat Less Sugar
One of the most simple and cost effective ways to care for your smile is by making healthy choices when it comes to what you eat and drink. While most people think the key to a healthy smile is daily brushing – and oral hygiene is important – what you’re consuming on a regular basis has a huge impact on your oral health, as well.
If you want to avoid cavities, limiting how much sugar you are consuming, and consistently drinking water is key. Sugar allows the bacteria in the mouth to feed and buildup in the hard-to-reach areas. Water, on the other hand, helps the body produce saliva which naturally helps limit tartar buildup, making it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the surface of the teeth.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Daily
Of course, a healthy diet is no excuse to skip daily hygiene. Flossing is equally important as brushing your teeth, yet most adults admit to skipping flossing on a regular basis. If you really want to avoid cavities as well as gum disease, a chronic condition that can eventually lead to adult tooth loss, it is best to brush the teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Visit the Dentist Before You Have a Problem
Finally, visiting the dentist regularly for checkups and dental cleanings is essential to protecting your teeth. That’s because once tartar has calcified onto teeth it can only be removed by a professional cleaning. The longer tartar remains on your teeth, the more likely it is to cause acidic erosion of the enamel eventually causing cavities!
Want to Protect Your Smile?
The best way to protect your smile is by combining smart choices at home with regular checkups and cleanings. To learn more about preventive dentistry or to schedule your next cleaning, contact Grady Dental Care today for a consultation or your next cleaning!