We all know that prevention is the best medicine, and this applies to your oral health most of all. Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy can be easy if you follow these simple tips and manage your oral health from an early age.

  1. Start children on the path to ideal oral health at an early age. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children visit the dentist by their first birthday, but home dental care should start before your child’s first tooth erupts. After every feeding, use a damp cloth to wipe your infant’s gums clean. At your baby’s first dental appointment, we’ll go over the steps you’ll need to take to keep your little one’s new teeth healthy.
  2. Prevent cavities in hard-to-reach molars with sealants. Sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on the surface of your child’s teeth. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. This ultimately reduces the risk of tooth decay.
  3. Focus on nutrition. A healthy diet is essential to healthy teeth and gums. A well-balanced diet of whole foods that includes grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products, will provide all the necessary nutrients needed for teeth to stay healthy.
  4. Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco. In addition to staining your teeth, tobacco significantly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Like many kinds of cancer, oral cancer can be deadly.
  5. Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. In addition, floss your teeth at least once a day. Use ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. If you can’t brush after a meal, rinse your mouth with water, or chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow, which naturally washes bacteria away and neutralizes acid.
  6. Visit our office every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. With routine exams and cleanings, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, save money by avoiding costly and extensive dental procedures, keep your teeth white by reducing staining from food and drinks, and have a smile that will last a lifetime!