Who doesn’t want good overall oral hygiene? Besides the obvious bad breathe and discolored teeth that can turn even your closest of friends away, having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems in the future such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Besides your normal dentist checkups, there are some things you can do in between to help ensure your oral hygiene stays in good shape and to keep your dentist happy:) Three Rivers Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro, TN is here to help our clients have the best oral hygiene and the best smiles!

Proper Brushing

One of the easiest steps to do to help your teeth keep clean is proper brushing. Brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath. Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your work or activities prevent you from doing this, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating to minimize the amount of food that would serve as substrate for the bacteria.

Flossing

Most people floss twice a year…before their dental visit. Flossing is very important to get the stuff between your teeth and gums that brushing alone can’t.

Avoid Tobacco

Do we need to explain! In addition to a bad habit, this can cause serious yellowing of teeth and possibly oral cancer.

Limit Sodas, Coffee and Alcohol

Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile and water which hydrates your body longer than sugary drinks.

Consume Calcium and other Vitamins that are good for the body

You need plenty of calcium for your teeth. It is essential for the teeth as well as your bones. It is better to drink milk, fortified orange juice and to eat yogurt, broccoli, cheese, and other dairy products. You can also take a calcium supplement, taking different doses according to your age and necessity as per prescription. Calcium and Vitamin D are necessary for maintaining the health of gums and teeth. Vitamin B complex is also essential for the protection of gums and teeth from cracking and bleeding. Copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium are also required for maintaining healthy dental hygiene.

Visit Your Dentist

You should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full hygiene treatment performed. Also at these appointments, a comprehensive exam is taken with x-rays to help detect and prevent future dental treatments from occurring.

Three Rivers Family Dentistry provides quality dentistry in Murfreesboro, TN and cares about the quality of our patients oral hygiene. Give us a call or fill out our online form to schedule your next dental appointment.

615.907.3456