How to care for your smile

Children and adults are not immune to dental problems. There are many factors that can impact your oral health. Even if you don't have pain or discomfort, you may have a dental condition that if left untreated it may lead to complications. In addition to maintaining a good home dental care routine, schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings with our team.

There is a right way to brush and floss your teeth. Once or twice a day, depending on your diet:

• Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush

• Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes

• Brush gently along your gum line

• Lightly brush your tongue

• Clean around your teeth with dental floss (remove plaque and food)

• Rinse after you floss

Teeth are covered in a hard coating called enamel. Every day, bacteria called plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria produce acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities. To prevent tooth decay or cavities. Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay. We may give you a fluoride treatment during an office visit or may tell you to use a fluoride gel or mouth rinse at home.

Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. To prevent it from happening:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

• Floss thoroughly

• Visit us regularly for a checkup and cleaning

• Quit smoking

Cancer of the mouth can grow in any part of the mouth or throat and likely in people over age 40. Pain is not usually an early symptom of the disease. Treatment works best before the disease spreads so oral cancer screenings are key! Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, oral cancer could develop.

You can still prevent it by:

• Do not use tobacco products, such as cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, or cigars.

• If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.

• Use lip balm with sunscreen.

Worn-out toothbrushes cannot clean your teeth properly and may damage your gums. Change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months, or when the bristles become splayed.

Fluoride helps to strengthen and protect teeth, which can reduce tooth decay in adults and children.

Tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in your mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth. Of course, you can prevent this by limiting the number of snacks you eat. Here are some recommendations:

• Drink plenty water

• Whole grains

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Lean sources of protein

• Low-fat and fat-free dairy foods

For good dental health, always remember to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.