Enough can’t be said about the importance of healthy teeth and gums. They not only contribute to that beautiful smile of yours, but you also rely on your teeth for eating and talking.
So, as we enter a new year, now’s a good time to review your dental habits to make sure you’re doing the best you can to preserve your teeth and gums for years to come. The truth is that the collective state of oral health in the United States is not the best. More than 40% of adults over the age of 30 have some degree of gum disease and 90% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have tooth decay.
And these two dental issues account for most of this next statistic: 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, among them 40 million Americans who are missing all of their teeth.
The good news is that you can practice some simple dental habits now to steer clear of gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. To get you started, our team at Willow Glen Dental Specialists pulled together 7 best practices you can implement today for a healthy smile down the road.
If you’ve been brushing your teeth with the same toothbrush for a while now, it’s a good idea to swap the old one out for a new one. Every 3-6 months, you should update your toothbrush with a new, soft-bristle one.
If you brush twice a day as we want you to, there’s no need to scrub your teeth, which can wear down your enamel and damage your gums. Think of brushing as gently massaging your teeth and gums. One way to avoid scrubbing is to hold your toothbrush with only two fingers — that’s all the pressure you need.
Anytime you eat or drink something, give your mouth a quick rinse. Swishing with water helps dislodge any debris and helps prevent bacteria from settling in.
We know time is tight, but carve out a few minutes at the end of each day to floss between your teeth. Brushing and rinsing are helpful, but food can still get trapped between your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay.
Whether you’re using your teeth to open up a tough plastic package or you chew your nails, you could be doing some considerable damage to them. It’s a good practice to reserve your teeth for chewing and talking and enlist the right tools for those other tasks.
Even with a conscientious dental regimen at home, plaque and tartar can still build up in your mouth, especially in hard-to-reach places. So, we urge you to keep up with your twice annual professional dental cleanings so that we can make sure your teeth and gums are free from harmful plaque.
Anytime you see a little bleeding in your mouth or you experience any type of tooth or gum pain, we want you to come see us. If we can intervene at the first signs of a dental health issue, we can preserve your teeth and prevent much more serious issues from taking hold.
With a little effort on your part and close monitoring on ours, we can help your teeth and gums remain as healthy as possible, this year and for many years to come.
For expert care of your teeth and gums or if you have any questions about your dental health, contact our office in San Jose, California, at 408-478-9081 or request an appointment using our online form.
