Have you started to wonder if it is actually possible to prevent dental cavities and other common oral health issues? For those that have suffered many dental troubles in the past, it can be troubling and even disheartening to face yet another dental problem. Yet it is possible to keep your smile healthy. It just takes a combination of great care, at-home, and regular dental visits. If you want to enjoy great oral health, heed your dentist’s advice about how to best protect your precious smile!

Dental Hygiene Is One Key

You already know that you should be brushing your teeth regularly, but are you committed to actually doing so? If so, that’s a great start, but brushing alone is not enough to preserve your teeth’s health. You should also floss every day, in order to remove food particles and bacteria left behind between teeth. This can greatly reduce your chance of developing cavities, but it is also essential to protecting your gums’ health, which are at risk of developing gum disease.

Your Diet Can Help Too

Eating a well-balanced diet can help in your quest for oral health, as well, That is because nutrients help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy, but they also prevent you from overindulging in foods that can be dangerous to your smile, such as sugar-filled treats. Remember, plaque bacteria feed on the sugar you consume, so the more sugar you eat the more likely you are to develop cavities.

Don’t Skip Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Routine dental checkups and cleanings are essential to keeping the teeth and gums healthy, as well. For most people that means visiting the dentist at least twice a year, for a checkup and a professional cleaning. Keep in mind that plaque buildup can only be removed through a professional cleaning, once it has calcified onto the teeth.

If you are prone to cavities, or currently struggling with gum disease, you may actually require more frequent dental visits to adequately prevent problems and to address existing oral threats through restorative dental treatment.