10 At-Home Care Tips From Your Preventive Dentist
As an Austin, TX preventive dentistry office, we encourage you to call our office at (512) 266-1308 and schedule an appointment for dental cleanings and dental examinations twice a year. This will allow us to remove built-up plaque and tartar while providing you with solutions like dental sealants. At Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS can also answer your questions and provide you with tips for keeping your teeth healthy at home. Here are our top 10 tips for doing so -
10 At Home Care Tips From Your Preventive Dentist
#1 Buy a new toothbrush.
If your toothbrush is starting to smell or the bristles are looking frayed, it is time to buy a new one. We recommend that you use a soft toothbrush that will not irritate your enamel and that you buy a new one every three months.
#2 Use fluoride toothpaste.
It is wise to use a fluoride toothpaste since fluorine is a mineral that when placed on your teeth will work to strengthen them and prevent cavities. This is something that takes no additional effort but can make a significant difference and whether or not you develop tooth decay.
#3 Floss every day.
Flossing is a critical step that must be taken in order to prevent gum disease. Plus it is the only way to remove the plaque from in between your teeth and your gums without visiting our 78734 dental office. You need to floss once a day in order to keep your gums in optimal health.
#4 Chew sugar-free gum with Xylitol.
Sugar-free gum with Xylitol can actually work to prevent cavities by stimulating the production of saliva without placing any harmful sugars on your teeth.
#5 Schedule dental cleanings twice a year.
At Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS recommends that you visit our Austin, TX dental office for dental cleanings twice a year. Doing so more frequently can be necessary if you are a diabetic or have other risk factors like being pregnant, chewing tobacco, or smoking.
#6 Visit us for dental examinations.
When you visit our 78734 office for a dental examination, we will look to see if you have any soft spots that could be the beginning of tooth decay. Treating this quickly can prevent you from experience a toothache. We can also look for signs of gum disease and treat it quickly by performing a dental deep cleaning before your gums start to recede.
#7 Have a fluoride treatment.
Having a fluoride treatment at a dental office has been proven to reduce the likelihood of cavities developing by 30%. This is significant for your children who are prone to suffering from cavities as an overall demographic group. We recommend annual fluoride treatments for children and teenagers.
#8 Visit us for dental sealants.
We also use dental sealants to help reduce the likelihood of tooth decay. Dental sealants are a plastic-like substance that is brushed onto the chewing surface of the teeth in order to prevent food and plaque from becoming trapped there.
#9 Wear a mouthguard.
If you or any of your children are playing sports, we recommend that you wear a mouthguard in order to prevent dental damage. It is highly likely that an elbow or fly ball will come in contact with your face at some point in time. Wearing a mouthguard ensures that when it does, your teeth will remain secure and not be damaged.
#10 Drink more water.
We encourage you to drink plenty of water. As an Austin dentist, we recommend substituting all soda and juice for water since placing sugar and anything acidic on your teeth can work to erode them. Drinking more water is also helpful in producing more saliva and ensuring that your mouth remains moist. This will also help to reduce the chance of developing cavities.
Schedule an Appointment with a Texas Preventative Dentist
When you visit our Austin, TX dental office, we can help to prevent cavities and infections from forming while also helping your gums to maintain proper health. Our goal is to assist you in keeping your permanent teeth for as long as possible, and taking preventative care steps today makes that a reality. Just remember to brush and floss daily and chew sugar-free gum with Xylitol to aid in those efforts. To schedule an appointment call (512) 266-1308.
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