Did you vow to take better care of your smile this year? Do you sometimes feel stumped as to what actually constitutes great dental care? If you want to avoid dental cavities and other oral health problems, it is imperative to take excellent care of both your teeth and gums. But how? Preventive care should involve a combination of smart choices at-home, and regular dental visits. Fortunately, none of these steps are difficult or particularly time-consuming. They just require diligence and a commitment to do what is necessary to preserve your smile.
Combine At-Home Care with Regular Dental Visits
There are actually a few steps that can be taken at-home, between your dental visits, to help protect your teeth and gums. Tooth brushing might be the first thing that comes to mind, and it is important. However, flossing is equally important to maintaining a healthy smile. Yet many people neglect the act of flossing.
To better protect your teeth from cavities, be sure to floss at least once a day. This will remove more bacteria and food particles than brushing alone, making for a cleaner smile in between dental cleanings.
Another simple way to care for your smile is by choosing foods and drinks that are low in sugar, and filled with nutrients. Your smile is like the rest of the body, in that it needs vitamins and minerals to remain strong. Plus, avoiding overly sugary products can help protect your dental health, because the bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars. By limiting their food supply, you can better prevent cavities from forming.