Do you ever think about what you can do to keep your smile in excellent condition? Especially now since you’ve had your teeth whitened and are now confident in your bright teeth, you don’t want to move backward. With the beauty and health of our teeth and gums become a higher priority for a lot of patients, your cosmetic dentist in Bartlesville wants you to follow these simple tips to keep your smile illuminating.
Watch the Foods You Eat
Everyone knows that fruits, vegetables, and lots of water keep your body healthy, but did you know that goes for your teeth too?
Keep Your Teeth White
Even with the most rigorous, consistent home dental hygiene routines, your teeth will still begin to dull based on the foods and drinks we choose to indulge in. Dark colored drinks like wine, coffee, and black tea attack the enamel of your teeth and can permanently stain if it seeps into the dentin of your teeth. The best option for your teeth is water!
Keep Your Jawbone Healthy
To maintain your jaws strength and durability, it is important that you are feeding your body the right nutrients to keep it healthy. You should incorporate foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin C, and raw crunchy veggies to exercise your jaw with consistent chewing.
Reduce Your Risk
What determines who gets oral cancer or gum disease? When it comes down to the realities of life, everyone is at risk for these diseases. But, it’s important to be aware of your personal risk and take steps to lessen it. The majority of diagnoses for these diseases are based on the lifestyles we choose to indulge in. By altering our lifestyle choices by keeping our health in mind, we can cut the chances of losing teeth or even worse—death.
Eliminate Tobacco
Tobacco accounts for 2 out of every 3 oral cancer cases. This doesn’t matter if you smoke it or chew it, it’s still deteriorating your overall health. You could also be exposing your loved ones to second-hand smoke, increasing their chances of developing cancer. Tobacco also plays a part in deteriorating the strength of your gums, causing them to recede. Receding gums are a precursor to tooth loss.
Monitor Alcohol Intake
Some alcoholic beverages have benefits like red wine for your heart, but everything needs to be indulged in moderation. Your chances of developing oral cancer is increased by a third if you abuse your alcohol intake. Not to mention, your teeth can easily become discolored because alcohol’s acidic nature eats away at the enamel on your teeth.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums takes a partnership. Both you and your dentist have to work together to reach your optimal dental health. Dr. Luke Lumpkin and Dr. Scott Brecheisen provide excellent dental care every time a patient walks into our office. We just ask that you keep your smile healthy at home, too.
Brush Regularly
Many patients don’t know how often they should brush or how to get the most out of their dental routine. Our dental practice recommends that you gently brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft toothbrush with flexible bristles can reach all areas of your mouth. Every time you brush, aim for two minutes and focus on massaging your teeth and gums rather than scrubbing them.
Floss Everyday
Although it tends to be ignored, flossing remains a critical part of your dental routine. Flossing between each of your teeth thoroughly removes plaque that would otherwise hide in the crevices of your teeth and turn into tartar, eventually leading to inflamed and infected gums.
When was your last dental visit?
Scheduling your next dental checkup is easy! Contact Dentistry by Design and one of our friendly team members will be happy to find an appointment that is convenient to your schedule.