Tips for healthy teeth and gums

Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums – Promoting Good Oral Hygiene

Healthy teeth and gums come with routine preventative care and good oral hygiene practices at home. When you take good care of your mouth, you can transform the way you feel about your smile for a lifetime. By practicing these dental tips for healthy teeth and gums, you can improve your oral health and well-being.

9 dental tips for healthy teeth and gums

1. Starting kids young

Starting good oral hygiene at a young age helps build the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. When should my child have their first dental appointment? The American Dental Association® recommends that a child should be seen by a dentist when the first tooth pokes through, or no later than age one.

2. Brushing your teeth twice a day

Brushing twice a day is essential in maintaining a healthy smile. Frequent brushing helps remove plaque and keeps the plaque from hardening into tartar. Take your time when you brush and start with gentle small strokes, focusing on only one or two teeth at a time. Brushing after each meal is suggested, however, if you are unable to do so, you can rinse with water.

3. Floss daily

Dental floss reaches where the toothbrush can’t and helps prevent gingivitis and tooth decay. It removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumline. When the plaque between teeth and under the gumline accumulate, it can lead to gum disease.

If you have difficulty flossing, you may want to consider an oral irrigator. This may be a water flosser or a waterpik. These devices are designed to spray water to help aid in removal of plaque and tartar from in between the teeth or under the gumline.

4. Replace your toothbrush

The American Dental Association® recommends that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Older toothbrush bristles break down and are less effective at removing plaque from our teeth and gums.

5. Maintain routine dental visits

Professional teeth cleanings and dental check-ups should be scheduled for every six months. Dr. Govani and her team will evaluate the tissue and supporting bone around the teeth at each appointment. When the cleanings become irregular, it can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is due to bacteria and can lead to the loss of bone related to the teeth. When you suffer from active gum disease you may need to be seen for more frequent visits.

Periodontal treatment usually begins with a scaling and root planing procedure to remove bacteria and tartar under the tissues. After this treatment, it’s important to visit us more often for periodontal maintenance. This is different from a routine dental cleaning and takes place every three to four months to prevent the gum disease from reactivating, due to bacteria loads getting too high.

6. Eat tooth-healthy foods

Consider eating healthy snacks like eggs, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables. Dairy and eggs are a great source of vitamin D and calcium which are essential for tooth and bone health. Fresh vegetables like broccoli or spinach are high in both vitamin C, which helps prevent gum disease.

Stay away from sticky or hard candy and dried fruits. These foods tend to stick to your teeth and are harder for your saliva to break down. This increases your risk for tooth decay. Avoiding sugary drinks is also important. By choosing water or tea, you are reducing your chance for cavities and helping your overall health and well-being.

7. Complete treatment in a timely manner

Dental treatment will never correct itself, so waiting may not be the best option. Tooth decay that is left untreated can transform a small filling into a tooth abscess that may lead to more invasive procedures.

Treating tooth decay early means you’ll need smaller and less invasive procedures. When treated early, the structure and stability of the tooth will be maintained, all while keeping your treatment cost lower.

Our trusted dentist is specialized in preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services. This includes fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, and extractions. If you’ve been putting off treatment, call the office to schedule.

8. Protect your teeth

At Govani Dental, we make various custom fit mouthguard appliances to protect teeth.  We offer two different options, a mouthguard or a sports guard. A mouthguard help prevent you from grinding and clenching your teeth at night. Whereas a sports guard can help protect your or your child’s teeth if playing contact sports.

Protecting your teeth is important and by doing so, you can have a smile that will last a lifetime.

9. Avoid tobacco or vaping products

Smoking or vaping is bad for your heart and lungs, but it’s also bad for your teeth, gums, and mouth. Smoking causes tooth discoloration, bad breath, gum disease, and even increases plaque and tartar build up. The best option for a healthy smile is to avoid smoking altogether.

Show off your smile

At Govani Dental, we stress the importance of frequent dental visits and good oral hygiene at home. By following these nine dental tips for healthy teeth and gums, we can help you achieve your brightest smile.

We’re excited to work with you on both improving and maintaining your oral health. If you have questions about healthy teeth and gums or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call the office at 920-231-1955.