Establishing a good home oral hygiene routine early is the best way to preserve your healthy natural teeth for life. This entails proper brushing and flossing, seeing the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams, and other actions that are easy to incorporate into your life.
Proper Brushing
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and after consuming sugary snacks and beverages keep plaque from accumulating on the surfaces of teeth. When plaque is kept at bay, so is tartar, the hard, bacteria-ridden calculus that causes cavities.
Correct Flossing Technique
Start with an eight-inch piece of floss and thread a section around each tooth so that it forms a C shape. Start at the bottom pulling up and against the tooth on both sides. Repeat the process, using a new piece of floss for each tooth. Rinse with water or mouthwash.
Drink Water
Drinking water throughout the day prevents dry mouth, a condition that promotes the development of decay. Rinsing your mouth with water also helps rid leftover food debris and harmful oral bacteria.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating healthy helps both your body and your smile. Crisp vegetables, fruits, and nuts rich in micronutrients keep teeth clean. Conversely, snacks high in sugar and carbohydrates, like candy and potato chips, stick to teeth and feed the bacteria that cause decay.
Use an Appropriate Mouthwash
There are rinses available that strengthen teeth and protect the gums. Our dentists are happy to recommend a rinse that is best suited to meet your unique needs.
Don’t Skip Dental Appointments
You can avoid dental emergencies and major complications by simply seeing the dentist on a regular basis. These visits also keep your smile bright and attractive.
Additionally, the risk of acquiring gum disease increases as we age and must be addressed early to prevent any chance of consequential tooth loss. The dentist can recognize the early signs of gum disease, which are easy to miss. Bedford Family Dentistry offers treatment for early gum disease to avoid progression to periodontitis, a serious health issue.
Call Bedford Family Dentistry in New Braunfels, TX to Learn More about Keeping Your Smile Healthy
We are here to provide compassionate and comprehensive dental care for patients in or near New Braunfels. Our dentists, Drs. Don and Brev Bedford are committed to helping each of our patients maintain, enhance, or restore their smiles.