FAMILY DENTAL HEALTH 101: 5 SIMPLE TIPS EVERYONE SHOULD FOLLOW

We all strive to achieve optimal family dental health and overall well-being. Keeping our mouths, teeth, and gums healthy should be our top priority since a healthy mouth is essential to overall good health! Below, we outline 6 simple dental health steps, for both at home in our daily routines and at your local Phoenix dentists office, that can help us all achieve our dental health goals.  

Brush, brush, brush! We can’t overemphasize how important it is to simply brush your teeth at least twice a day. Better yet, if you have the time, brush after every meal. Brushing not only removes food particles from our teeth, but it also eliminates plaque and massages the gums. And don’t forget the bonus perk, which is that brushing also freshens our breath. Brushing sounds like a simple enough task, though there actually is a proper way to brush.

Tip: The brush should be held at a 45 degree angle and moved with small circular motions throughout the mouth for optimum results.

Regular flossing! This is the most important thing we can all do to prevent gum disease. Flossing seems easy enough, right? In fact, regular flossing will also fight cavities and decay as it gets hidden food particles and debris from between the teeth.

Tip: Use the right floss and ask your family dentist for suggestions on what works best for you and your family.

Enjoy an anti-cavity diet! If we want strong and healthy teeth we have to eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, vitamin C, and Fluoride. It is also prudent to avoid starchy and sugary foods, since they are masters at creating all that oral bacteria and causing decay.

Tip: Avoid a diet that is full of sugar and processed foods and replace those items with crunchy fruits and vegetables and foods containing lots of vitamins and minerals.

Whiten your teeth so they sparkle! You can achieve those pearly whites most naturally by brushing and flossing daily, and by making regular visits to your cosmetic dentist for cleanings and whitening.

Tip: Avoid foods that stain teeth, such as coffee, wine, and blueberries, and if you must have them, be sure to brush your teeth appropriately. Ask your cosmetic dentist about advice on using whitening products.

Visit your family dentist often! This is the most important step in monitoring your dental health. Regular dental visits not only serve to clean your teeth, but also to spot any oral health problems or developing issues that may be detrimental long-term. The sooner your dentist can act on a problem, the less it will impact your overall oral health.

Tip: Don’t let anxiety keep you away from your dentist. There are so many new advances in dentistry that we no longer need to be afraid of painful visits. And by keeping your dental check-ups regular, prevention will help keep any major cosmetic concerns or tooth loss issues – and the pain associated with invasive procedures – away. Many dental and health experts have linked the cause of bad heart health, infections and inflammations to poor oral health. Plaque and bacteria from your mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause all kinds of problems and health issues. New research has even shown a link between oral health and dementia and Alzheimer’s. Regular cleanings from your family dentist can keep plaque and bacteria from causing major issues in the rest of your body. Because overall health is connected to the way you take care of your mouth, you should find a dentist, such as our experienced team at Biltmore Commons Dental Care, that you can trust and go to regularly.