A bright, beautiful smile is usually a sign of a healthy mouth. Whether you have been blessed with great oral hygiene or you work consistently to keep cavities at bay, there are a few secrets that can help you maintain or improve the health of those pearly whites. Here are some tips Dr. Espinosa likes to relay to his patients.
- Brush up on oral hygiene:
The best way to keep that smile healthy is by brushing twice daily, flossing regularly (recommended once a day), and cleaning your tongue! That’s right, your tongue too. Almost half of oral bacteria lives in the crevices of our tongue. Keeping your mouth clean and free of bacteria and plaque building debris is the simplest way to a healthy smile, and fresh breath.
- Watch what you eat:
There are foods that feed oral bacteria, like sugar, and there are also foods, high in acid, that can erode enamel. Keeping these foods to a minimum and adding foods that can strengthen your teeth will work wonders on your smile. Stick with calcium-rich and vitamin-rich foods like cheese and leafy greens to not only improve your oral health but your overall health in general. Check out the Top 10 Foods That Strengthen Teeth.
- Drink plenty of water:
Wash it down with good ol’ H2O. By choosing water over sugary beverages, like fruit juice or sodas, you can reduce the risk of cavities. While many health organizations say eight 8-ounces of water a day is recommended, depending on where you live or how active your life, you should probably be drinking more.
- Protect your smile:
You may only think about wearing a retainer when playing sports, but you may need it while sleeping. The American Sleep Association reports 10% of the population grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw at night. This can certainly take a toll on your teeth, but there are other issues that can come about like headaches and jaw pain. Ask us at your next visit, we can usually see a grinder at a glance!
- Visit your dentist regularly:
It’s often said you need to visit your dentist twice a year, but depending on your oral health, more visits may be necessary. “Aging adults may need to visit us every 90 days. This is common for patients who have a higher risk of dental disease,” says Dr. Espinosa. If there is cause for concern, we will certainly let you know.
Dr. Espinosa and the Bonita Del Rey team are here to assist you with any questions you may have about your oral health care. Our goal is to make you smile – and we know you smile more when you’re healthy! Contact our office with questions, dental check-up appointments, free dental consultations and/or second opinions. We are here for you!
