4 Worthwhile Dental Health Tips from the Best Dentist in Stuart
According to the CDC, did you know that 90 percent of adults have had at least one cavity in their lives? This means that even if you have the best genetics, it’s essential to know some of the top dental health tips to keep your smile gleaming.
Keep reading to learn our top four dental health tips for this month, brought to you by the best dentist in Stuart!
1. Invest in an Electric Toothbrush
Although electric toothbrushes aren’t required to have excellent dental health, they make it much more manageable. This is because as the tooth vibrates, all you need to do is gently glide the bristles across the front of your teeth, the biting edges, and the back.
Some electric toothbrushes will even vibrate for each quadrant of your mouth until the recommended two minutes are up. And if you have sticker shock, keep in mind that there are a variety of electric toothbrushes you can find online now that are just as good as the name-brand ones.
Just take time reading the reviews and ask your dentist for any recommendations!
2. Pay Attention to the Frequency of Sugar
Dentists are more concerned about how often you’re ingesting sugar throughout the day versus the amount. This is because sugar and foods with high acidity wear away your enamel over time.
Enjoying a sugary dessert in the afternoon and evening and then drinking water is better for your teeth because your saliva will have time to neutralize the acids that develop.
On the other hand, sipping on soda or sports drinks all day means that acidic residue builds up in your mouth, making you more prone to tooth decay. This is why athletes often have more dental health issues than others—they’re constantly sipping on energy drinks.
3. Don’t Rinse Your Toothpaste
Although it’s natural to want to swish your mouth with water after brushing, the best dentists want you to avoid this. This is because for fluoride to do its work on your teeth, it needs to sit on your teeth longer to strengthen your enamel and guard against acid and plaque properly.
If you like to use mouthwash after brushing, you’ll want to wait at least 30 minutes to let the fluoride do its work.
4. Be Gentle
You probably know that brushing and flossing twice a day is necessary to ward off plaque and harmful bacteria. However, you also need to make sure you’re being thorough but gentle while you’re brushing and flossing.
The reason for this is that your gums are sensitive. So, over time, if you brush and floss too hard, more of the root of your tooth will reveal itself. This is one of the reasons why seeing your dentist twice a year is so necessary—hygienists will be able to tell you whether you need to correct your brushing technique based on what they notice while cleaning.
Schedule an Appointment with the Best Dentist in Stuart
Remember that along with following the dental health tips above, it’s also vital that you schedule an annual appointment with your dentist.
Not only will they be able to provide fluoride treatment and cleaning that strengthens your teeth, but dentists are often the first medical practitioners who can identify issues with your mouth that may be oral cancer.
If you’re ready to begin your journey for a healthy, comfortable smile with the best dentist in Stuart, contact us today!