Creating Good Dental Habits
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle
Your teeth and smile are an important part of your life. Oral and dental health has been increasingly tied to overall health in medical studies, and a good smile is considered an important part of your daily interaction and acceptance by others. Therefore, taking good care of your teeth should be a given, right?
Unfortunately, many give little regard to their dental health until they are forced to do so--by tooth decay or other more severe dental problems. Yet, taking care of your teeth on an everyday basis could avoid many of the dental problems and give you a wining smile. The key is making good dental care a daily habit.
What are the good dental habits that should be in your daily dental care program? Here is what you need to know.
Good Dental Habits
We can apply the list from our recent blog on "Tooth Decay--What You Need To Know ." For daily habit purposes, we'll narrow the list down to those items which should be done on a daily basis.
To assist you, you can download the " Top 10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Tooth Decay" from the prior blog, which you can print and hang near your bathroom mirror.
The simple act of setting up this new habit for yourself and/or your family can have a great impact on your lifelong health. It truly is worth starting today!
Have any suggestions for what you'd like to see us write? Place your comments and suggestions in the comments section.
Your teeth and smile are an important part of your life. Oral and dental health has been increasingly tied to overall health in medical studies, and a good smile is considered an important part of your daily interaction and acceptance by others. Therefore, taking good care of your teeth should be a given, right?
Unfortunately, many give little regard to their dental health until they are forced to do so--by tooth decay or other more severe dental problems. Yet, taking care of your teeth on an everyday basis could avoid many of the dental problems and give you a wining smile. The key is making good dental care a daily habit.
What are the good dental habits that should be in your daily dental care program? Here is what you need to know.
Good Dental Habits
We can apply the list from our recent blog on "Tooth Decay--What You Need To Know ." For daily habit purposes, we'll narrow the list down to those items which should be done on a daily basis.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and especially before going to bed.
- Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush, Reach Stim-U-Dent, or Sulcabrush.
- Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks. Avoid carbohydrates such as candy, pretzels and chips, which can remain on the tooth surface. If sticky foods are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterward.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exam.
- Drink fluoridated water. At least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect teeth from tooth decay.
- Take Calcium, as found in food such as milk and green vegetables, to protect against dental caries. It has been demonstrated that calcium and fluoride supplements decrease the incidence of tooth decay.
- Chew gum that contains the sweetener Xylitol--which temporarily retards the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
To assist you, you can download the " Top 10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Tooth Decay" from the prior blog, which you can print and hang near your bathroom mirror.
The simple act of setting up this new habit for yourself and/or your family can have a great impact on your lifelong health. It truly is worth starting today!
Have any suggestions for what you'd like to see us write? Place your comments and suggestions in the comments section.
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