Most people understand the importance of a routine dental checkup, at least two times per year. However, good dental care expands beyond visiting your dentist every six months. Good dental care should be a priority at home. It should include a constant consideration of your teeth and your mouth and what is good or bad for it. It also includes taking your dentists recommendations into account during your routine visits. A thorough dental care plan includes the following.
Multiple brushing and flossing per day
While some people falsely believe that brushing once per day is sufficient, you should really be brushing after every meal. Brushing your teeth prevents food from getting stuck in your teeth and causing problems. Flossing is just as important for those hard to reach areas. Once you get in the habit of brushing and flossing after every meal, the process becomes easy. A complete brush only takes minutes and you are left with a healthy mouth. Young children should be monitored when it comes to daily dental care. Children might need help cleaning their teeth and are not usually able to thoroughly clean their teeth on their own until age 10 or 11.
Awareness of food and drink
There are food and drink items that can damage your teeth. An excess amount of sweets and sugars can be especially bad for the teeth. If you are going to eat these items in moderation, make sure you are properly cleaning your teeth after consumption. It is also even more important to keep up with regular dental cleanings. Also remember to limit children?s consumption of these items, as their teeth are still growing and the large amounts of sugar can have a negative effect on the growth of their teeth. Many dental implants are needed from a high intake of sugar and a low priority to good dental health.
Consider braces at a young age
Braces are for more than cosmetic reasons. While many people choose braces after visiting with their cosmetic dentist, they can also correct misaligned teeth that are causing functional problems. When the teeth are overcrowded or have large gaps, it can increase the amount of food and bacteria that get stuck. A cosmetic dentist may recommend braces or a dental crown as a tooth filler. However, if you are considering braces for functional purposes, it is important to work with both your cosmetic dentist and your regular dentist.
Replace your toothbrush frequently
This is another overlooked dental care tip. Three quarters of people do not replace their toothbrush as often as they should. Your dentist is giving you a new toothbrush with each visit for a reason. They are encouraging you to replace your current toothbrush. Over time, a toothbrush can wear down and does not properly remove debris from the teeth. Also, bacteria from the mouth and bathroom can build onto the toothbrush, thus spreading that same bacteria to your mouth. Remember to change your toothbrush at least twice per year.
Treat cavities immediately
You may be tempted to put off a cavity fill to prevent pain and inconvenience, but this can be a mistake to your dental health. In the United States, 20% of adults have one or more cavities that have gone untreated. Untreated cavities get worse over time and can cause additional dental problems. Additionally, your cosmetic dentist is unlikely to complete any dental procedures on you, if you have untreated dental cavities.
Good dental care is important for overall health, social relationships, and confidence. Most people do the very minimal, visiting with their dentist every couple of years. However, a thorough dental plan should include dental visits every six months, regular replacements of toothbrushes, frequent brushes and flossing throughout the day, and immediate cavity treatments.
