What many patients do not realize is that the quality of their dental health is often in their own hands, as many of the components of proper oral care involve a patient’s habits and lifestyle.
Dietary Habits
While we’re no fans of clichés like “you are what you eat,” it’s hard to deny the impact your diet has on your oral health. Aside from the obvious sugary foods and drinks negatively impacting oral health, things such as not consuming enough water or a lack of Calcium and Vitamin D can also have a negative impact on your teeth.
It’s essential to consume nutrient-rich foods to ensure your teeth get the vitamins and supplements required to keep teeth strong, healthy, and cavity free.
Routine Dental Visits
Visiting the dentist at least every six months allows the health of your teeth to be tracked over time. While a cavity can virtually appear overnight, the growth or escalation of major dental concerns takes just a few months to occur, which is why regular dental visits twice per year allow your dental health to stay on track. Our team can monitor potential concerns and keep major concerns under a close watch.
Avoiding Bad Habits
It’s hard to know exactly why patients inherently chew on items like pen caps or use their teeth as tools, but these among many other bad habits can lead to major dental issues. Other bad habits to curb include smoking or chewing tobacco, biting your nails, brushing your teeth too hard, and chewing ice.
Proper Daily Care
Twice daily brushing and flossing are critical, and that should come as no surprise. When possible, brushing after every meal and flossing can help you remove food particles that may cause plaque. Brush for at least two minutes and be sure to cover the front, back, and top surfaces of each tooth.
Seeing your Dental Professional for Bigger Problems
There comes a time when some bad habits, such as biting and clenching can benefit from professional intervention. There are dental devices that can protect teeth when halting these types of practices isn’t possible or probable.
At Madison Center for Dentistry, we strive to help our patients obtain excellent oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist in Madison, IN or if you need to schedule your semi-annual check-up, please give our office a call. We look forward to hearing from you.