At Ace Dental, we pride ourselves on being a dentist Vancouver and Coquitlam residents can trust.
We make it clear to all our patients, as with other aspects of maintaining our health, the best way to ensure positive long-term dental outcomes is to establish healthy habits and integrate them into our routines.
It doesn't have to consist of substantial, life-altering choices. In fact, many of these habits don't require much of a lifestyle change at all. But instead, it's the implementation of small changes that can make a big difference in the long run. Ultimately, consistency is key.
With this in mind, here are 5 ways to care for your teeth today to avoid serious issues later in life.
1. Brush twice a day
This tip will likely not come as a shock, but it’s one of the fundamentals of solid tooth and gum health.
Brushing your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, typically in the morning and at night, is an excellent way to remove any built-up bacteria and staining while preventing enamel decay.
Using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash is one of the best methods for protecting your teeth and lessening the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride helps fight germs and provides a protective barrier for your teeth.
For Invisalign Vancouver wearers, it’s important to remove trays when eating or drinking drinks other than water and brush well before placing trays back in every time.
2. Floss
Dental professionals across the board will preach this until the day is done: flossing is essential! While it may seem like an extra step too many, once you implement flossing into your daily routine, it becomes much easier to be consistent than you think.
For most, brushing simply isn’t enough to help get all the little pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth. Not only that, but flossing is an excellent way of reducing plaque and lowering inflammation in the gums while preventing gum disease.
3. Drink more water
Our bodies are roughly 60% water. So, it goes without saying that its intake is crucial for our overall health from top to bottom, including oral health.
This isn’t to say that you need to cut out all coffee, tea, or soda from your life forever. However, these things can all increase your risk for new cavities. One prevention method is to rinse your mouth with water after drinking any of these things. After all, many dentists and oral health professionals often refer to water as ‘nature’s mouthwash.’
4. Visit your dentist regularly for checkups
Even if you are the best brusher or a fantastic flosser, it’s still crucial to see your dentist regularly, a minimum of twice a year, to schedule routine cleanings and checkups.
These appointments are essential to ensure that everything is okay, check for any cavities, perform a more intensive cleaning, and spot potential issues you may not have noticed in the day-to-day while presenting treatment solutions to get you back on the right track.
5. Quit smoking
Gone are the days when we were able to plead ignorance of the negative correlation between smoking and tobacco use and medical complications or consequences.
On top of the risks to our lungs, smoking can have multiple negative impacts on our gums and teeth, including staining and causing gum disease, tooth loss, and potentially even oral cancer.
As you can see, it’s a collection of small habits that can make all the difference. If you’d like to book an appointment today for any cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, or other routine checkup needs, please contact us here.