According to the CDC, around 25% of adults in the US have untreated dental cavities. The only way to avoid getting cavities and other dental problems is to have good dental care practices. Not only will good dental hygiene keep you out of the dentist’s chair, but it will also help you to have a great-looking smile.
So what do you need to do to ensure you don’t need dental treatment? This article lists three of the most important things you should incorporate into your dental care routine.
1. Brush Regularly, But Not Too Much
Out of all the dental health habits, the most important is that you brush your teeth regularly. Doing this every day helps remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth that could cause various oral health problems.
Not only is it vital that you brush every day, but you also need to follow the correct dental procedures when brushing. Dentists highly recommend that you use an electric toothbrush rather than a regular toothbrush.
Make sure you check out the documentation that comes with your toothbrush to learn the correct technique.
You should also make sure you don’t brush too often or with too much force. Doing this could potentially damage the enamel of your teeth.
2. Floss Every Day
While brushing your teeth is vital for oral health, it isn’t enough to prevent dental problems. You’ll need to floss every day if you want to maintain a healthy smile.
Flossing is vital as it helps you eliminate debris and sugar stuck in the places your toothbrush can’t reach. The floss should be softly pushed all the way into the gumline before you gently move it back and forth.
Make sure you buy good-quality dental floss and remember to use it at least once a day.
3. Avoid Sugar
Another one of the essential dental care tips is to avoid as much sugar as possible. While sugar might be sugary, it’s terrible for your teeth. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’ll have to avoid sugar entirely. You should just try to enjoy it in moderation.
One of the most common sources of sugar is sugar-sweetened beverages. There might even be a lot of sugar in drinks where you wouldn’t expect to find it.
It pays off to read the labels of drinks to find out just how much sugar there is. You might be surprised at what you find. If you drink too much sugar, you may end up with stains on your teeth. The next thing you know, you’ll be looking up “cosmetic dentist near me” to correct it.
These Dental Care Tips Can Keep Your Smile Healthy
Problems with your teeth can quickly get expensive. It makes a lot of sense to have a good dental care routine. Not only will this keep you out of the dentist’s chair, but it will also keep your smile looking great throughout the years.
If you want to learn more about some other health-related topics, take a look at some of our other articles.
