Take Care of Those Pearly Whites: 4 Dental Health Tips For Everyone

Flossing may not be fun, but done properly it removes the plaque and food stuck between your teeth and under your gum line. That’s an important step in your oral hygiene routine since stuck food particles lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure to floss at least once a day, preferably before you head to bed, to get rid of any food stuck in your teeth from snacks and meals.

In the 1940s, scientists discovered that individuals who drank water with naturally occurring fluoride levels of approximately one part fluoride per million parts water had fewer dental cavities. Scientists also realized that fluoride helps prevent and reverse tooth decay.

Now, all major cities have added fluoride to their water supplies to help improve everyone’s dental health. While there have been some concerns about a link between cancer and fluoridated water, research has found no associated risk between cancer and fluoridated water.

Next time you need a drink of water, reach for the tap instead of bottled water to help boost your dental health and reduce your risk of cavities. 

Brushing your teeth may not be as straightforward as you think. The American Dental Association (ADA) offers four simple steps for brushing away germs, sugar and plaque: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Gently move your toothbrush back and forth across each tooth. Brush the front, back and ridges of your teeth. Clean the back of your teeth by tilting the brush vertically and making up and down strokes. The ADA also reminds everyone to brush twice a day and to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

The use of tobacco-based products is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with it taking nearly half a million American lives per year.

 Kicking the habit may greatly improve your oral and overall health before serious damage to your body occurs.

Make seeing the dentist part of your regular, preventive healthcare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 64 percent of adults visited a dentist in 2015. The ADA recommends seeing a dentist at least once a year, but the frequency varies between people. Some individuals may need to go only once or twice a year, but others may require more frequent visits to manage their dental health.