How to Maintain Optimum Oral Health

Even if you have excellent oral hygiene and have never had serious dental issues, it’s still important to visit your dentist every six months and be on the lookout for oral health problems. This allows your dentist to check on the health of your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth and spot any problems early on before they become serious.

Visiting the dentist every 6 months for checkups isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy. Your oral hygiene routine that you follow at home is the single most important part of maintaining your oral health. Your Nesconset Dental Associates dentist of Nesconset, NY, encourages patients of all ages to maintain regular dental visits and excellent at-home oral hygiene.

The Best At-Home Regimen For Healthy Teeth Includes:

Brush your teeth twice a day

Brush your teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association (ADA)-approved toothpaste and toothbrush. It’s important that they are ADA approved so you don’t do any damage to your teeth. Brushing your teeth prevents buildup of oral bacteria and hardening of plaque into tartar.

Floss every day

Flossing allows you to remove the plaque that builds up between teeth and beneath the gum line. This actually prevents the bacterial colonies from damaging tooth enamel with their digestive juices.

Rinse After Eating and Brushing

Rinsing your mouth out is also an important part of oral health. Rinsing with water between meals or after brushing can help protect your teeth against build-ups and remove any bacteria that was just loosening (if brushing). Adding a mouthwash to your daily routine will help defend your mouth against gum disease by killing bacteria and reducing gingivitis.

When should I begin to visit Nesconset Dental Associates?

Most dentists, including the professionals at Nesconset Dental Associates, recommend children visit the dentist starting with either their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first. This provides them with an age-appropriate cleaning and also helps normalize visits to the dentist. At this visit, your Nesconset Dental Associates dentist will give you tips to care for your child’s developing teeth and also help them feel as comfortable as possible with dental care.

Visiting the dentist with your child allows parents and caregivers the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of healthy dental habits to their children. Children who visit the dentist with their parent who is also coming for dental care, display less anxiety at their own visits have a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Schedule an Appointment

Nesconset Dental Associates offers comprehensive dental care to people of all ages. Contact our Nesconset, NY dental office online or by phone at (631) 228-8780 today.