Albertville, AL
A strong oral hygiene regime is the foundation for good oral health. It’s also the best preventative for every, single dental hassle imaginable, including tooth decay. So what does a strong oral hygiene regime look like?
Our Albertville family dentists are glad to answer this question.
Let’s take a look:
Why a strong oral health regime?
No one wants to go to the dentist only to hear they have tooth decay; in fact, the fear of a cavity — and its treatment — is one of the top reasons people have for avoiding the dental chair. But here’s the problem with that: Cavities are not the end of the world, but they can be uncomfortable and, if left untreated, they can lead to much bigger, costlier problems. Cavities are damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth caused by bacteria, eating or drinking an excessive amount of sugar, and not properly cleaning your teeth. The bacteria feed on what you eat, including what stays between your teeth if you’re not regularly brushing and flossing. Plaque, in turn, starts wearing away at your teeth, creating soft spots and holes that, without treatment, grow larger and deeper within the tooth. At worst, this can lead to toothaches, infection, and tooth loss. Brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings are the primary ways to prevent cavities.
Brush teeth regularly
Brushing your teeth for two minutes every morning after breakfast and each night before bed is the best way to prevent gum disease and remove plaque, which leads to cavities. Brushing before sleep with a fluoride-containing toothpaste prevents bacteria from creating acid that eats away at your tooth enamel during the night. If you really want to boost your cavity-fighting efforts, brush after lunch, too.
Floss daily
A surprising number of people skip this step in their daily routine, but it’s one of the most important cavity preventions and is especially useful after meals and before sleep. While brushing your teeth is fundamental to your oral health, a toothbrush can miss areas between the teeth. Floss dislodges any food particles in those spaces, leaving nothing for bacteria to feed on.
Use mouthwash
To boost your dental hygiene routine, add mouthwash after brushing and flossing. A therapeutic mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association will strengthen your teeth, clean and protect your gums from disease, prevent tooth decay, and reduce plaque.
Eat a healthy diet
It’s no secret that it’s best for your oral health to refrain from excess sugar in your diet. Bacteria in your mouth love sugar and will feed on any you eat during the day. Our Gadsden family dentists recommend choosing dairy products and fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber and promote strong overall health, including oral health. Drinking water and even chewing sugar-free gum can help keep neutralize acids and keep your teeth free of food particles.
Visit your dentist
Don’t skip routine cleanings with your dentist every six months. During your visit, hygienists will carefully and thoroughly clean your teeth and check for soft spots and plaque build-up. These regular visits go a long way toward preventing cavities from forming and growing on your teeth.
Family dentistry in Albertville, AL
A strong oral hygiene routine is the biggest and best preventative against the need for fillings and other corrective dental procedures because proper oral hygiene is what best keeps tooth decay at bay. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, floss at least once daily and visit our family dentists at Wall Street Dentistry for professional cleanings once every six months. If it’s time for your twice-a-year cleaning or if you think you may be developing a cavity in one or more of your teeth, give us a call today. You can reach us at (256) 400-2783, or contact us online.