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5 Tips For A Healthier Smile This Holiday
Keep your smile shining bright through the season and beyond
A healthy smile starts at home! Maintaining good dental hygiene habits not only keeps your teeth healthy, it prevents tooth damage in the future – meaning your teeth stay strong enough to last a lifetime.
1. Brushing
We’ve all been told a million times that brushing your teeth twice a day is extremely important to good oral health. Still, many of us get tired and forgetful and neglect to brush before bed. And while we sleep, the debris and plaque accumulated throughout the day get an overnight stay in the crevices of our teeth, giving those unwelcome visitors a chance to usher harmful bacteria into our mouths. Brushing your teeth before bed clears the debris from your teeth, reducing the chances of tooth decay, cavities and other issues. The same goes for brushing in the A.M.: It gives your teeth a fresh start by ridding your mouth of the acid and bacteria built up from the night before. When you are brushing, make sure you take your time and move the toothbrush in gentle circular motions to remove every bit of plaque.
Brush Your Tongue, Too!
Don’t forget to scrub your tongue as well. Plaque and bacteria build-up on your tongue can cause bad breath and lead to worse oral health issues. Cleaning your tongue is no more challenging than brushing your teeth; you can just use your toothbrush.
2. Use A Fluoride Toothpaste
While whitening power and flavor may be important to you, fluoride is the key ingredient to watch for when shopping for a new toothpaste. Fluoride fights off germs that could lead to tooth decay while providing a barrier against future bacteria. It also helps to strengthen tooth enamel and defend any other weaker spots, meaning bad bacteria has less chance to do damage.
3. Floss!
As we eat, drink and be merry, remnants from the day’s treats get stuck between our teeth. To reduce the risks posed by those remnants, we recommend flossing daily. Flossing removes from the crevices of your teeth any leftover plaque and food that you missed while brushing. What’s more, flossing stimulates your gums and reduces inflammation, so future you won’t have to worry as much about cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems.
Read more on why we recommend daily flossing here!
4. Mind Your Diet
While it’s important to keep up with your oral routine, your teeth also appreciate you eating well and drinking plenty of water. Incorporate plenty of crunchy, fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, as they contain nutrients such as Vitamin C and antioxidants to keep your body and gums healthy. On top of that, fibrous fruits and vegetables help clean your teeth, as chewing stimulates the production of saliva, helping to wash away bacteria.
As you’ve no doubt been told, it’s best to limit sugary and acidic food and drinks, as difficult as that can be around the holidays. While we think it’s all right to splurge for the holiday festivities, drink plenty of water to help flush out any food particles or acid left by cookies, eggnog and other holiday treats.
5. See Your Dentist At Least Twice A Year
Your at-home tooth care is the base for keeping your teeth healthy for the long term. However, it’s equally important to check in with your dentist and make sure no underlying issues are looming. Your dentist will also be able to identify any early signs of cavities, gum disease or similar problems, simultaneously supporting your dental health and reducing dental costs in the future. Furthermore, getting a professional dental cleaning clears out any additional plaque and tartar buildup that gets left behind, giving you yet another way to prevent unpleasantness down the road.
Need to check off your second dentist visit?
When you need an extra boost with your dental health, the Perimeter Dental team is here to help! Whether you need a simple cleaning or have more serious concerns, our team is equipped to handle any dental issue and help get your smile healthy and sparkling bright. Schedule your routine cleaning at Perimeter below!