When it comes to taking care of your teeth, you may already know to brush your teeth and go to the dentist regularly, but optimal dental care goes beyond these basics. The more care you put into your oral health now, the better off your teeth will be in the future. Here’s some of the best advice for taking great care of your teeth:

Home Care Is Number One

What’s the first thing that your dental hygienist asks you when sit down in the exam chair? It’s usually a question about your brushing and flossing habits. It may seem obvious, but this is the most important aspect of taking care of your teeth and many people benefit from learning more about what they can do at home to care for their teeth. Brush a minimum of twice a day for two minutes and remember to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth too. If you brush more than twice a day, that’s an even better way to prevent the residue from any food or caloric beverage from sitting on your teeth all day. Floss once a day to loosen the particles trapped between the teeth and follow up with a good mouthwash to help clear out the bacteria that sits at the back of your mouth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Do this every day and you will be ahead of the game when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy.

Diet Plays an Important Role

Good oral hygiene is especially important if you are prone to eating foods or consuming drinks that are bad for your teeth. Avoid sugary candies that stick to the teeth, acidic drinks like soda that erode tooth enamel, and beverages with tannic acid that discolor the teeth such as coffee, tea, or red wine. If you consume acidic or sugary foods, it’s best to rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards and then brush your teeth about 30 minutes later to prevent tooth decay-causing bacteria from thriving. If you can’t brush, pop a piece of sugarless gum in your mouth to help remove some of the residue until you have a chance to brush later on.

Prevention Through Dental Visits

Seeing the dentist twice annually for cleanings and exams is essential for maintaining good oral health. Professional teeth cleaning removes the plaque that you can’t get rid of through regular brushing and having a conversation with a hygienist about your oral care routine is always a good idea to make sure you are taking the best care of your teeth possible. Plus, getting a complete exam with X-rays ensures that we can alert you to any early warning signs of tooth decay or gum disease before they become serious problems.

Vann Family Dental welcomes you to visit us for your routine dental visits. Dr. Vann prides herself on offering patient education through Guru presentations to ensure that all of our patients have the knowledge they need to take excellent care of their teeth.