As much as we love to see our patients at our Richmond dental clinic, we also want you stay healthy so you won’t need to come in for things like fillings, root canals and gum disease treatment. Read on to learn how you can prevent oral disease and cavities through an oral hygiene routine, balanced diet and dental visits.
Brush and floss regularly
There’s no way around it- brushing twice a day for at least two minutes is necessary for removing plaque and food particles from your teeth. Flossing daily helps to remove debris that gets stuck between the teeth. In fact, it’s estimated that by skipping flossing ⅓ of the surface of the teeth remains unclean. Also, make sure that you are replacing your toothbrush every three months. If your toothbrush is frayed or missing bristles it won’t do as good a job of cleaning your teeth.
Maintain a balanced diet
Diet can impact your oral health. Make sure that you’re eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy foods, and whole grains. These foods contain lots of important nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D and calcium, which are necessary for strong bones and teeth. Also, avoid sugary foods and beverages, which can lead to decay if left on teeth.
Visit your local family dentist
No matter how good a job of caring for your teeth you’re doing at home, it’s still important that you maintain regular appointments for exams and cleanings. Your dentist or hygienist can remove plaque and tartar build up with special instruments, which will help prevent gingivitis and gum disease. During a dental exam and cleaning your dentist will also check for signs of oral cancer. Early detection of oral cancer has been proven to save lives. If you are overdue for a cleaning and exam, please contact our Richmond dental clinic today!