Taking care of your teeth keeps your smile bright and keeps you healthy. In addition, a dental hygiene routine can help prevent gum disease, cavities, and other health issues tied to bad dental hygiene. While it's easy to think that dental health only affects your teeth, the truth is that periodontal disease can cause issues for your memory and respiratory systems, and even put you at risk for a stroke. It's never too late to start having good dental hygiene, so let's dive into ways you can keep your smile and body healthy.
Have Routine Visits To Your Dentist
One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy is regular dental checkups. We like to see our patients twice per year for X-rays, cleanings, and general treatment for their teeth. While twice per year is the typical schedule, sometimes you might need more visits, depending on the health of your teeth. If that's the case, we will work closely with you to determine the right schedule for you. We are also currently accepting new patients, so we would love to meet you if you need to get your routine visit in.
Have Healthy At-Home Routines
While we hope to see you twice per year in our office for care, the rest of the year is up to you to keep your teeth healthy and disease-free. Having a solid at-home dental hygiene routine will help ensure your mouth's health. Here are some ways you can have better dental health at home.
Brush Twice Per Day
Brushing twice per day is a great way to keep cavities away, and most adults admit to only brushing once (or less per day). Aim to add brushing to your daily routine, like brushing every morning at the same time and every night before bed.
Floss Your Teeth
Flossing is your secret weapon against gum disease and tartar buildup, and you should aim to floss at least once per day. Flossing is easily missed in the dental care routine, but a very important part of keeping your teeth healthy.
Don’t Forget To Rinse
After brushing and flossing, it's important to rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Pour a capful of mouthwash into your mouth, swish it for around 20-30 seconds, and then spit it out. It's ideal to never rinse with water as that washes out the protection your toothpaste and mouthwash provide.
Having a healthy dental routine will keep you smiling and boost your health, so don't forget your brushing, flossing, and daily mouthwash. WHile it can be hard to stick to a routine at first, try to work your twice a day brushing into your morning and evening routine to stay consistent.
Are you ready for your annual check-up? Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.