Brockport Dental sees a lot of patients over the course of a typical year. Some people have a lot of dental issues, while others do not. What are some tips for having healthy teeth? Read on, and find out…

Tips for Having Healthy Teeth

Do you brush your teeth before you go to bed? That’s one way to have healthy teeth. Ideally, people should brush their teeth at least twice daily, with one of those times being before they go to bed. Some people brush after every meal and/or snack. It’s a good idea to brush teeth in order to get rid of germs, plaque, etc. When brushing, be gentle, using circular motions. Brush your tongue, too.

What kind of toothpaste do you use? Choose one with fluoride– this helps defend against tooth decay.

Do you floss? You should. This gets little pieces of food out from in between the teeth. Flossing also stimulates the gums and helps reduce inflammation.

What about mouthwash? Mouthwash, like Listerine, can really help improve your oral health. Mouthwash reduces the amount of acid in the mouth as well as re-mineralizes teeth. It’s also good for cleaning out hard-to-brush parts of the mouth. It’s a good thing to do in addition to flossing and brushing.

How about what you eat and drink? If you can cut down on pop, do so, since pop can rot your teeth enamel. Ideally, drink more water. Rinse your mouth with water after a meal. As for food, crunchy fruits and vegetables are great for your teeth; Carrot sticks? A great choice! It’s better to eat carrots than sugary, sticky candy. Keep in mind that sugar converts into acid in the mouth– this leads to enamel erosion of your precious teeth– no bueno.

Finally, for healthy teeth, see your dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups. Some people avoid going to the dentist for years, only to find out little issues have turned into major, catastrophic issues. Don’t avoid the dentist if you want healthy teeth.