Your smile opens doors, greets new friends, frames your joy, and carries you confidently through the years. The health of your smile is a huge part of your self-confidence and is built by simple day-to-day routines. Unfortunately, nearly half of adults over 30 in the United States have signs of gum disease, which can quietly put your pearly whites in jeopardy.
The good news is you don’t need extravagant habits or expensive tools to protect your smile. Read on to discover the most essential oral hygiene habits that will keep your smile healthy, and where to find the best dentist in North Scottsdale for comprehensive dental care.
Five Simple Habits That Will Improve Your Oral Health
Small changes in your dental routine can make a big difference in how your teeth and gums feel and how well they function. These five dentist-recommended habits are easy to adopt and can support a stronger and more comfortable smile:
1. Brush Twice a Day with the Right Technique
Brushing twice a day might feel simple, but making sure you’re using the right technique can add to the protection. The best dentist in North Scottsdale recommends:
- Using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Moving your toothbrush in small, gentle strokes across every surface of your teeth
- Tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line and let the bristles glide instead of digging in
- Avoid harsh scrubbing, as it can cause soreness in your gums and wear down your tooth enamel over time
- Spend a full two minutes brushing
- Get a new toothbrush every few months, especially if the bristles start to look splayed or worn
2. Floss Every Day
Flossing is the quiet hero of oral care because even the best brushing leaves tiny places untouched. You may not be able to feel the bits of food wedged between your teeth, but they can quickly turn into a sticky home for bacteria later. Flossing is the best way to remove these small pieces of food and prevent plaque and tartar from building up.
To floss effectively, pull out about 18 inches of floss, loop it around your fingers, and guide it gently between each tooth, shaping it into a C as you slide it up and down along the curve of the tooth and just under the gumline. You might not get it perfect every time, and that’s okay. What matters most is flossing between each tooth every day. If traditional floss is challenging because of crooked teeth or braces, tools like interdental brushes or water flossers can help clear the gaps.
3. Limit Sugar and Acidic Foods
The foods and drinks you reach for throughout the day play a big role in how strong or weak your teeth feel over time. That mid-afternoon soda or late-night candy bowl might taste great in the moment, but sugary and acidic foods and drinks give bacteria in your mouth plenty to feast on. As they do, they release acid that wears down enamel, the protective shell of your teeth, and can leave you dealing with cavities down the road. Next time you’re in the mood for a snack, swap some of those choices for crisp veggies or whole grains.
4. Attend Regular Dental Checkups and Professional Teeth Cleanings
Sitting in the dentist’s chair twice a year might not be your idea of fun, but it’s one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of problems you can’t spot in the mirror. Regular dental appointments are expertly timed to detect early signs of tooth decay, gum inflammation, or enamel wear, long before they become noticeable or lead to needing a dental filling or worse, a root canal. Most people do well with visits every six months, but if you’ve dealt with a lot of cavities, gingivitis, diabetes, or smoking in the past, your dentist might want to see you more often.
5. Get a Custom Mouthguard or Sports Guard
Your teeth are strong, but they’re not invincible. If you’re into sports like football, skateboarding, or even martial arts, slipping in a mouthguard is like strapping on a seatbelt for your smile. It cushions the impact and keeps teeth, gums, and even your jaw safer when things get rough. Similarly, if you exhibit signs of teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, you should talk to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard to wear at night. Night guards provide protection from the effects of nighttime teeth grinding, which could lead to a cracked tooth, receding gumline, and jaw strain that causes headaches.
Finding the Best Dentist in North Scottsdale for Comprehensive Dental Care
Step into Kallos Dental Aesthetics, and you’ll notice right away that this isn’t your typical dental visit. We’ve brought together general and cosmetic dentistry under one roof, offering everything from preventive visits to full smile transformations in a luxury atmosphere.
Dr. Cole Bisbing brings a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for crafting smiles that look as natural as they feel confident, supported by advanced dental technology that allows us to be precise at every step.
Whether you’re planning a long-term treatment plan or stopping in for a routine check, we're here to make every part of your experience seamless and comfortable.
Ready to get an elevated dental experience with the best dentist in North Scottsdale?
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