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You probably don\u2019t need to be told how important it is to take care of your teeth; according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 95% of Americans agree that oral health is vital for good health overall. Despite this, it can be deceptively easy to fall into the wrong habits, but luckily there are often plenty of simple improvements you can make. Here are 5 behaviors that will make your dentist smile.<\/p>\n
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Sometimes brushing your teeth poorly can be as bad as not brushing them at all. It\u2019s important to make sure you\u2019re doing a thorough job of removing plaque before it has a chance to harden into tartar. Use a fluoride toothpaste that helps defend against tooth decay, and make sure to brush every area, including near the gumline; use gentle, circular motions so as to clean the enamel without damaging it. You should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes at a time.<\/p>\n
More than a third of Americans don\u2019t floss daily, but it\u2019s an important step in any oral hygiene routine. Not only does it get rid of bits of food stuck between the teeth, but it also stimulates the gums, reduces plaque in hard-to-reach areas, and lowers inflammation. If you have trouble using regular string floss, you can look for other tools such as interdental brushes and floss picks.<\/p>\n
Mouthwash is another way to clean areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush, but that\u2019s not the only benefit; it can also reduce acid levels in the mouth and re-mineralize your teeth. Some brands are more suitable for children or people with sensitive teeth, so ask your dentist for recommendations.<\/p>\n
The bacteria in your mouth convert sugar into acid that can erode tooth enamel, which is what leads to cavities. For this reason, candies and other sugary foods should only be eaten sparingly; you should also be wary of acidic beverages soda. A healthier alternative is crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples or carrots; they help increase saliva production, which helps keep the teeth clean.<\/p>\n
Drinking enough water is important in and of itself, of course, but it can also have additional benefits. Drinking or rinsing with water after every meal can help wash out sticky or acidic substances, so it can be a handy way to clean your teeth between brushes.<\/p>\n
Always have a good answer to the question, \u201cIs there a good dentist near me?\u201d Those twice-a-year dental visits<\/a> will help detect cavities and other oral health problems in their earliest stages, as well as get rid of plaque and tartar buildup in areas you missed with your regular hygiene routine.<\/p>\n Taking care of your teeth is a full-time job that requires daily attention. If you think there are aspects of your own oral hygiene that could be improved, speak with your dentist; they\u2019ll be able to give you advice based on your specific situation.<\/p>\n Dr. Raj Vekariya has almost a decade of dental experience and has earned a certificate in esthetic and comprehensive dentistry. At his Canonsburg practice, Center One Dental, he treats patients with the latest dental tools and techniques in a comfortable environment. To schedule a preventive checkup, visit his website<\/a> or call (724) 300-3700.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You probably don\u2019t need to be told how important it is to take care of your teeth; according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 95% of Americans agree that oral health is vital for good health overall. Despite this, it can be deceptively easy to fall into the wrong habits, but luckily there […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":332,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centeronedental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}About the Author<\/h3>\n