3 Tips For Better Dental Health
At Baltimore Dental Co, Dr. Leah Romay takes a holistic approach to dentistry. She emphasizes the importance of patient education to ensure that everyone who visits our Glyndon, MD dentist office leaves with a better idea of how to care for their smiles. Our goal is to help patients maintain good dental health so that they can enjoy their smiles for many years to come. If you are looking for simple ways to improve your dental health, start with these three tips:
Brush & Floss
While this may seem like an obvious tip, you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing and flossing are your smile’s main lines of defense against common dental concerns like gum disease or tooth decay. The longer that food residue is left on your teeth, the more likely it is to harden into plaque or tartar, which are much harder to remove with your standard oral hygiene routine. If the plaque or tartar remains on your teeth for an extended amount of time, this is when the bacteria will begin to eat away at your healthy soft tissues, causing dental concerns. In addition to brushing and flossing twice a day, you can also chew sugar-free gum or rinse your mouth out with water twice a day to remove any food residue from midday meals or snacks and prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Evaluate Your Diet
Your diet has a direct impact on your overall dental health. If you are eating foods that are high in sugar, you are more at risk for developing dental cavities. Many foods and beverages contain staining agents that can cause your food to dull or become yellow. Drink beverages like tea or coffee through a straw to avoid dental staining. Remember that sticky or chewy candies leave behind residues on your smile that can be difficult to remove. Additionally, crunchy potato chips have a similar effect as the food particles often get stuck between your teeth. When you are meal planning, try to incorporate more smile-friendly snacks into your diet. We recommend snacks like pita bread with hummus, fruit smoothies, or greek yogurt. The healthier your diet is, the better your dental health will be.
Schedule Your Dental Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends that all patients see their dentists at least twice a year for routine preventative care. Routine preventative care includes dental cleanings, dental exams, and diagnostic x-rays. During your routine preventative care appointments, our team will evaluate your smile. Our goal is to address minor issues before they develop into major dental concerns. When you skip out on your biannual preventative appointments, you are risking the progression of untreated dental concerns. The important thing to remember about dental concerns is that they are more likely to get worse the more time you go without seeking treatment. If it has been over six months since the last time you sat in the dental chair, schedule an appointment with our Glyndon, MD dentist office today.
