Maintaining long-term healthy teeth is essential to a person’s overall well-being. How to do this is no great mystery, though it can be easier said than done: maintain a robust and consistent oral hygiene routine and make healthy lifestyle choices.
From mastering proper brushing and flossing to making smart dietary choices, these simple yet vital steps will allow you to achieve and sustain the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and supporting structures.
Today, we’re looking at seven straightforward but vitally important steps that anyone can take to ensure their long-term oral health.
7 Best Practices for Healthy Teeth
Here are our top seven tips to ensure a lifetime of robust oral health:
- Brush frequently and properly. Brush your teeth at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and smooth, gentle, circular motions, especially around the gumline. Remember, brushing harder does not leave your mouth cleaner!
- Floss regularly and properly. Flossing daily (and, like brushing, not too vigorously) removes plaque and food particles between teeth, preventing bad breath, cavities, and the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar.
- Use mouthwash: Regular rinses with antibacterial mouthwash reduce the buildup of harmful bacteria.
- Limit sugary and acidic foods. Sugary foods and drinks contribute to plaque and tartar buildup, while their especially acidic counterparts can erode tooth enamel.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Routine check-ups and cleanings not only allow your dentist to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums but also provide preemptive care that prevents significant issues down the line.
- Protect your teeth from trauma. If you grind your teeth at night or play contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from wear and tear and impact-related injury.
- Avoid tobacco products. Smoking and smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of gum disease and make it more challenging to treat.
Family Dentist in Austin, TX
If you’re looking for an experienced dentist in the Austin area to help you and your loved ones adopt and maintain strong long-term oral health practices in a friendly and empathic way, contact dentist Dr. Poonam Gokhale and the team at West Creek Dental to schedule an appointment!