With all the health advice available online today, it’s hard to know what’s actually important when it comes to your oral health. Dr. Caleb A. Robinson and his team in New Philadelphia, OH want you to know the top 10 dental care tips so you can keep your mouth and body healthy for years to come.
1.Brush your teeth every day
You’ve been hearing this advice since you first went to the dentist as a child: brush your teeth twice daily. Brushing your teeth removes leftover food particles that combine with saliva to form sticky plaque. Bacteria that live in your mouth like to feed on this plaque. If this is allowed to happen unchecked, it can cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
2. Flossing is as important as brushing
Your hygienist and Dr. Robinson know when you haven’t been flossing! Flossing is important because it removes plaque from between teeth that your toothbrush alone wouldn’t be able to reach. If plaque is allowed to remain in these hard-to-reach places, you could find yourself dealing with gum disease, which has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
3. Use toothpaste with fluoride
Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste because it helps strengthen the teeth by drawing calcium to weak spots in your enamel. Using oral hygiene products with fluoride addes can reverse early signs of tooth decay before they become problems.
4. Limit sugar intake, including sugary drinks
Sugar contributes to tooth decay because it feeds the bacteria that live in our mouths. These bacteria feed off of the leftover food particles in your mouth, and if the food contains a high sugar content, bacteria can multiply even faster. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet will help keep oral bacteria under control.
5. See your dentist twice a year
Regular dental exams are vital to preserving your oral health. Dr. Robinson can spot early signs of tooth decay before they become severe, helping you avoid the need for complex dental procedures. We will also perform X-rays to ensure your teeth are still well-supported in the jaw.
6. Maintain a healthy diet
A healthy diet is important not just for overall health, but is important for your teeth in ways you might not expect. In addition to good nutrition provided by healthy foods, a lot of fruits and vegetables are crunchy and chewy, which promotes saliva production. Foods that require a lot of chewing are good for the teeth because more saliva means the mouth is naturally washed out more often.
7. Stay hydrated
Keeping your body hydrated helps your mouth produce enough saliva, which keeps teeth clean. Saliva washes out the mouth, which removes oral bacteria and leftover food particles.
8. Don’t forget your tongue
If your tongue has a white or yellow film on it, you might need to brush it. This film is the waste products of bacteria (yuck!) and will cause bad breath if allowed to remain. So when you brush your teeth, don’t forget to run the brush over your tongue to remove this foul-smelling film.
9. Don’t chew on hard items
This may go without saying, but try not to bite down on hard candies or even non-food items like pen caps or fingernails. This can damage teeth as they were never intended to chew objects this hard.
10. Take care of your toothbrush
Your toothbrush doesn’t need any special cleaning, but make sure it dries after each use and there is no toothpaste left on it. Store it upright and exposed to air as this will kill most bacteria you may have removed on it.
Dr. Robinson’s team in New Philadelphia, OH is here to help you maintain your oral health. Call (330) 269-5805 to schedule an appointment today or contact us online to keep your smile healthy!