October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which means now is the perfect time to talk about keeping your smile healthy and bright. From routine homecare to regular visits with your Richfield, MN, dentist, there are ways to help safeguard your teeth and gums from tooth decay and gum disease.
Caring for Your Smile From Home
You need to take steps to care for your smile every single day. Avoiding the onset of tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every night before bed. These actions remove food particles from on or between the teeth, preventing bacteria from breaking down the particles and leading to weakened tooth enamel and inflamed gum tissue.
Avoiding Harmful Snacks and Drinks
When you consume foods and drinks high in sugar, you leave behind parties for bacteria to break down. Over time, this means a greater risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. Instead of sodas, candy, and chips, try drinking more water and adding fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses, and low-fat yogurt to your snack rotation. Chewing sugar-free gums also limits the urge to snack without putting your smile at risk.
Checkups and Cleanings
You also need to see your dentist every six months. During these visits, we perform a checkup and cleaning. The checkup involves a careful examination of the teeth and gums to identify possible signs of trouble. We then offer treatment to restore the health of your smile. The cleaning involves removal of plaque and tartar, bacterial byproducts, from the teeth.
Warning Signs of Trouble
You should let us know if you experience sudden discomfort, such as tooth sensitivity, toothaches, or soreness and bleeding in the gums. These often indicate the presence of oral health issues. Seeing us as soon as possible allows us to treat the cause of your discomfort before the stability of your smile becomes threatened.
Do You Have Questions About Dental Hygiene?
With a comprehensive approach to dentistry, we want to help you and your family enjoy optimal oral health. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Keller by calling Cedar West Family Dentistry in Richfield, MN, today at (612) 861-7188.
