Keep Your Smile Healthy with Preventive Dentistry: Part Two

If one of your primary goals, this year, was to take better care of your smile, then you may have already taken some steps to achieving that important goal. You may have begun a more diligent dental hygiene routine, for instance, like brushing and flossing every day. You might even have scheduled a dental appointment. Still, there is more that you could be doing to help keep both your teeth and gums healthy. So if you care about your oral health, and want to make it a priority, here are a few other ways you can better care for your smile.

Your Diet Matters Too

A diet that is rich in nutrients and low in sugar, is best for both your body and your oral health. That is because the teeth and gums need nutrients, like the rest of the body, in order to remain healthy.

Because cavities and gum disease can both be caused by plaque buildup, limiting sugars and starches, which convert to sugar, is a good step in avoiding these and other dental issues.

Plaque bacteria feed on sugars, which is why dentists recommend limiting how much sugar you eat and especially drink. If you are unsure how much sugar you are actually consuming on a regular basis, start reading your food and beverage labels. If sugar is one of the first ingredients, you should consider swapping the product for something healthier, like fresh fruits and vegetables and water, which is actually one of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy smile and body.

Don’t Skip Out On Dental Care

Dental checkups and cleanings through a general dentist are also essential to maintaining oral health. Contrary to what people may assume, most people need bi-annual checkups in order to keep their teeth and gums in great shape.

This means, you should schedule appointments once every six months, or more if the dentist advises.