At Modern Family Dentistry, we know that it takes time to find just the right dentist for your oral care needs. We are confident that when you first visit our dentistry office, you will know right away that you have found the comfortable and relaxing dental care services practice you need. You can be sure that when you visit our practice, your comfort and well-being will be our utmost priorities.
The Modern Family Dentistry, located in Chesapeake, Virginia, is proud to provide our team of experienced and professional dental experts to help you achieve the best possible oral health. Serving residents of Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Norfolk, VA, the Modern Family Dentistry is your premier choice for quality dental care services. We are confident that you will find our staff members to be friendly, helpful, and exceedingly compassionate toward your oral care and hygiene needs.
We believe that getting started on the road to good and long-lasting oral health begins with a strong foundation of knowledge. That’s why we at the Modern Family Dentistry are happy to provide you with a few pointers to help you achieve a happy and healthy smile and excellent oral care habits. Read on to discover how you can maintain and enhance your oral hygiene.
Source: Oral Health Tips | Adult Oral Health | Basics | Oral Health | CDC
Limit Your Alcohol Intake
To say that oral health is important would be a big understatement. As an adult, you won’t get any second chances on your teeth. That’s why learning how to take proper care of your teeth is so important, and will help ensure that you can preserve your smile for a lifetime.
One simple way to preserve your oral hygiene is by cutting back on the number of alcoholic beverages you consume. Alcohol can be safely enjoyed in moderation, but it can also damage your teeth if you consume it regularly enough. Mixed alcoholic drinks in particular can compromise your teeth and gums with their high quantities of sugar. Additionally, alcohol also has the tendency to dry out your mouth, dehydrate your gums, and allow for food particles and sugars to settle between brushing. Some alcohol, such as red wine and even certain mixed cocktails, have the ability to stain your teeth with regular consumption.
Quit Smoking to Improve Oral Health
Cutting down on the habit of drinking alcohol can lead to enhanced oral hygiene, but it’s not the only habit you should be aware of that has the potential to cause long-lasting damage to your oral health. Tobacco smoking is a particularly troublesome habit that can lead to oral complications if you consume it on a regular basis.
If you do already smoke, it’s definitely time to start the process of quitting. And if you haven’t smoked tobacco before now, then you should absolutely continue to avoid it. Smoking increases your risk of oral cancer and harmful gum disease. Even if you do regularly brush your teeth and floss, smoking tobacco will still cause damage. Quitting smoking will also come with a plethora of other benefits, such as a reduced risk of many cancers, digestive problems, and heart disease.
You now know that cutting or quitting just a few bad habits can lead to drastic and long-term benefits to your oral health. There are also a few things you can afford to make good habits out of. Although it might seem obvious, using proper brushing technique and taking the time to effectively clean your teeth with your toothbrush can be one of the simplest good habits to build on your journey to optimal oral hygiene.
Take Care of Your Toothbrush and Follow the Correct Brushing Technique
Special covers are not necessary to keep your toothbrush as clean as possible and free of bacteria. The plastics, rubbers, and nylon materials that are used on most modern toothbrushes can help to inhibit bacterial growth. However, you’ll need to take some practical steps to protect your health. Avoid using an unventilated toothbrush cover, as this could actually help bacteria that exists in your mouth to multiply. Make sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly in clean water after each use, and allow it to dry completely. A hanging toothbrush holder is recommended.
It’s also crucial that you brush with the right technique to ensure a proper, thorough clean:
- Your toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle to your gums
- Move in tooth-wide strokes, gently brushing back and forth
- Brush all surfaces of your teeth, including outer, inner, and chewing surfaces
- Clean behind your front teeth, hold your brush vertically, and use up-and-down strokes
Always make sure to brush your teeth for at least two minutes, and distribute the time evenly across all of your teeth.
Source: 11 Best Practices for Healthy Teeth (healthline.com)
Contact Us
If you live in the Chesapeake, VA area or surrounding locale, our team at the Modern Family Dentistry encourages you to try out our excellent dental care services. We provide online new patient forms for your convenience to get you started on the road to oral health with quick and easy access to our forms and information. Book your appointment with us today. We look forward to serving you and your dental needs.