Tooth Decay Prevention: Daily Dental Care Tips
Cut Out Bad Habits & Prevent Tooth Decay with These Tips
One of the best ways to improve your overall dental health and prevent tooth decay is by implementing simple, easy habits into your daily routine. While your dentist can repair, replace, and save damaged teeth, they’re also committed to showing patients how to properly care for their teeth and prevent further damage. By working as a team with your dentist and visiting them regularly, you can increase your chances of keeping your teeth healthy and avoiding the negative consequences of having poor oral health.
At Twin Aspen Dental Center, we not only provide comprehensive dental services to people of all ages, but we’re dedicated to showing our patients how to protect their teeth to prevent tooth decay and the formation of cavities. Taking care of your teeth now will make future visits to the dentist more enjoyable. From family dentistry to cosmetic dentistry services, we’re fully equipped to address all your dental needs in Parker, CO and the surrounding areas. Below, we’ve included our best daily dental care tips to ensure you’re fully equipped to maintain great dental health and prevent tooth decay. Call us today to learn more!
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The most basic way to ensure your teeth stay strong, healthy, and free of cavities is by consistently following a good oral hygiene routine. Your routine should include taking regular trips to the dentist for cleanings and checkups, brushing your teeth twice per day for two minutes each session, and flossing at least once daily. If you notice any changes in your mouth or teeth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Be Observant of Changes in Your Mouth
It’s important to know what’s normal for your mouth and what isn’t. While you’re brushing and flossing, be observant of any changes in your mouth, including sensitivity, bleeding, swelling, or any lumps or sores that don’t go away. If you are concerned with any changes or experiencing discomfort, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Use Fluoride Dental Products
Using dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride plays an important role in strengthening your tooth enamel and fighting against the acids after eating. Small amounts of fluoride are also found in tap water, which is an easy step to add to your daily routine.
Be Mindful of What You Eat & Drink
Watching what you eat and drink can have a significant effect on your oral health, as well as your overall health. Foods that are high in sugar and acid, including soda, candy, chips, crackers, pickles, and wine, are destructive to your tooth’s enamel and cause cavities.
Foods that are good for your oral health include leafy green vegetables, apples, carrots, cheese, yogurt, celery, eggs, nuts, and more. You could also consider increasing your intake of vitamins C and D, as well as chewing sugar-free gum.
Be Careful of What You Use Your Teeth For
Your teeth might be strong, but they aren’t indestructible. They aren’t scissors, bottle openers, or pliers. Instead, your teeth are meant to bite or chew on food. Using them as a tool for opening things could cause chips, cracks, and damage to the enamel, increasing the chances of tooth decay and cavity formation.
Cut Out Bad Habits That Damage Teeth
There are several habits that can cause damage to your teeth, including nail-biting, chewing on ice, smoking, and other tobacco use. Smoking, vaping, and other tobacco use can cause receding gums, oral cancer, tooth loss, and more. Kicking these bad habits will help improve your oral health, as well as your overall health.
Protect Your Mouth
If you grind your teeth, play a contact sport, or are involved in activities that could damage your teeth, it’s important to use a mouthguard. If you’re interested in getting the most protection possible for your mouth and teeth, a custom mouthguard can be made by your dentist.
Ask About Dental Sealants
One of the best ways to prevent enamel erosion and cavities is by having dental sealants placed on the surface of your teeth. Dental sealants protect your teeth from sticky and sugary foods and last for approximately ten years. Dentists typically place these protective coatings on the molars where most of the chewing and plaque buildup occurs.
While children most often receive dental sealants, adults receive them as well based on recommendations by their dentist. Dental sealants are relatively inexpensive and often covered by dental insurance providers.
Contact Twin Aspen Dental Center Today
Implementing a few simple things into your daily routine can go a long way for your dental and oral health. At Twin Aspen Dental Center, we understand preventative dental care is essential for preventing tooth decay and cavity formation. In addition to performing thorough cleanings and providing exceptional care for patients of all ages, we’re committed to educating you on oral health and finding solutions for all your dental concerns.
We’re Parker’s top choice for comprehensive dentistry services, providing everything from complete family dental care to cosmetic dentistry, emergency dental services, and much more. Contact us today to learn more about preventing tooth decay or schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!