If you’ve ever rinsed after brushing and noticed a pink swirl in the sink, or you come from a family with a history of poor dental health, it’s time to pay more attention to how well you’re taking care of your teeth.
Your daily oral hygiene habits affect everything from your risk of gum disease to how bright your smile is, and even your risk of physical health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. And with nearly half of adults in the United States having some level of gum disease, learning which simple habits make the most impact on your oral and physical health is important.
Read on to learn the top five ways you can improve your oral health and where to find the best dentist in North Scottsdale who can help you ensure you always have the healthy, bright smile you deserve.
Five Simple Habits That Have the Biggest Impact on Your Oral Health
You don’t need a complicated dental routine to see real improvements in your oral health. Implement these five practical habits to give your oral health a boost and make your next dental checkup with the best dentist in Scottsdale a whole lot easier:
1. Establish a Strong Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
The most effective oral health routines include habits that fit seamlessly into your day, so you’re more likely to repeat them every day. Your most basic oral care habits should include:
- Brushing twice a day for a full two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing or using a water flosser at least once every day to clean the tight spaces your toothbrush can’t reach, and where food particles and bacteria are most likely to hide
- Using a mouthwash to give yourself some extra protection by washing away lingering bacteria
2. Learn the Right Techniques for Brushing and Flossing
Using the right brushing and flossing techniques can really make a huge difference in the health of your teeth and gums. When you hold your toothbrush at a slight angle toward the gumline, about 45 degrees, the bristles can effectively remove plaque at the gumline, instead of just skimming the surface and leaving buildup behind. Gentle strokes also matter, because brushing too hard can actually damage the sensitive tissues of your gums.
Flossing also requires a technique, because it works best when you curve the floss into a soft C shape around each tooth and slide it up and down, which removes plaque without being too harsh on the gums.
3. Keeping up With Your Regular Professional Dental Checkup Appointments
Regular dental checkups can sometimes feel like an inconvenience, but similar to your annual physical exam, these appointments are very important for the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Visiting the best dentist in North Scottsdale at least every six months ensures any small dental issues can be spotted early, before you end up experiencing a toothache or tooth decay that causes a flaw in your smile.
During these appointments, getting a professional teeth cleaning and dental X-rays is important to keep your gums healthy and make sure you don’t have any problems developing beneath the surface. This can spare you from more complex treatments, like a root canal, later on. These appointments also allow your dentist to recommend any simple treatments that can treat small problems before they advance to larger problems, including getting a tooth-colored dental filling to cover a small cavity, or a more advanced cleaning if you’re starting to show signs of early gum disease.
4. Make Food Choices That Support Strong Teeth and Gums
Most people don’t realize that what you choose to eat and drink has a major impact on your risk of tooth decay and gum disease over time. Sugary foods and drinks leave a sticky coating on your teeth that can be hard to get off, even with regular brushing.
To help keep your mouth as healthy as possible:
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks except for occasional treats, and always brush and floss soon after you do indulge.
- Drink water throughout the day to help rinse away food bits and keep healthy saliva flowing, which is your mouth’s natural way of washing and protecting teeth.
- Snack on crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery, which have a texture that helps scrub the teeth while delivering vitamins and minerals your gums need to stay healthy.
5. Replace and Maintain Your Oral Care Tools
The tools you use every day matter just as much as how you use them. A toothbrush that is past its prime often shows bent or frayed bristles, which is why replacing your toothbrush or brush head every three to four months helps keep brushing comfortable and effective.
If traditional flossing feels awkward or uncomfortable, tools like water flossers or interdental brushes can make cleaning between teeth easier and less frustrating. But keeping these tools clean and in good shape ensures that you don’t end up injuring the sensitive parts of your mouth or introducing more bacteria.
6. Don’t Skip Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments give your teeth an extra layer of protection by strengthening enamel, which is the hard outer surface that takes the most wear from acids and bacteria. A professional fluoride treatment at the dentist's office includes a concentrated fluoride gel or varnish applied to the teeth. It works by helping weak spots rebuild and making enamel more resistant to tooth decay. This can be especially helpful if you’re prone to cavities, have gum recession that exposes sensitive root surfaces, wear braces, or deal with dry mouth. Keeping up with safe and effective fluoride treatments as recommended by your dentist can help prevent cavities before they start and reduce the chance you’ll need fillings or other dental work later.
Finding the Best Dentist in North Scottsdale for Comprehensive Dental Care
Good oral health is built by the automatic habits you choose to make a part of your daily life. Even if you’ve let your habits slip lately, it’s easy to get back into a good routine. Having a great dentist who can help you develop a personalized oral health plan can help. At Kallos Dental Aesthetics, Dr. Bisbing and his knowledgeable team provide comprehensive, patient-centered care at our luxury dental clinic in North Scottsdale. We’ll help you design the ideal at-home oral care routine and offer a full range of general, cosmetic, and preventive dental services under one roof.
Ready to get comprehensive dental care from the best dentist in North Scottsdale?
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