Tips For At-Home Preventive Care – Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Preventive care doesn’t just happen at the dentist. In fact, at-home oral hygiene is an extremely important part of maintaining a healthy mouth. So here are a few tips and steps you should take to maintain good oral hygiene at home.

• Brush twice a day for two minutes – Brushing thoroughly twice per day is one of the best ways to keep your mouth healthy. We recommend brushing once after breakfast, and again after the final meal of the day. Make sure to clean all your teeth thoroughly.

• Floss once per day – Flossing helps keep your teeth clean and reduces your risk of gum disease. Floss at least once per day to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

• Use fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride is essential for a healthy mouth. It attracts minerals that strengthen your teeth, which helps prevent tooth decay.

• Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day - Antibacterial mouthwash helps keep harmful oral bacteria at bay. In addition to washing away food and debris, it also reduces plaque buildup. Be sure to choose an alcohol-free formula to prevent dry mouth. 

• Maintain a tooth-healthy diet – Avoid sugary beverages, and drink water instead. You should also reduce the amount of sugary and starchy processed foods you eat. Try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy dairy, and lean meat.

• Make lifestyle changes – Certain lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or tobacco use or reducing your alcohol intake can help improve your oral health

 Visiting Your Dentist

 Seeing a dentist for a checkup every six months – or more depending on your oral health needs, ensures that you can catch any potential oral health issues early.

Getting a dental examination gives you peace of mind and ensures that you don’t have any hidden oral health issues. You’ll also be able to discuss your overall oral health with Dr. Sledge and the Dentistry by Design team to learn more about the steps you can take to improve and protect your oral health.