At Premier Dentistry at Millennium Park, we strive to provide our patients with all of the dental services and resources they need to achieve lifelong dental health. There are simple things that we all can do to take better care of our smiles. Dr. Brand and Dr. Stein, your experienced Chicago dental office, have put together a list of simple steps you can take to better your dental health. If you are struggling to improve your dental health, consider the following suggestions.
Brush & Floss
While this may seem like an obvious tip, it’s perhaps the most important one. Patients should brush and floss their teeth twice a day for optimal dental health. Brushing and flossing are your smile’s main lines of defense when it comes to preventing common dental concerns like gum disease and tooth decay.
When you skip out on brushing or flossing, you are allowing food residue from your daily meals to harden onto your dental structures. If this residue remains on your smile for an extended amount of time, it will become plaque or tartar, which is much harder to remove during your oral hygiene routine. It’s important to prioritize your dental health each day. You can also consider rinsing your mouth out with water or chewing sugar-free gum after midday meals and snacks to keep your smile free of food particles.
Evaluate Your Diet
Your diet has a huge impact on your smile. If you are eating a lot of sugary foods, you are more likely to develop a cavity. Sticky candies, artificially flavored sodas, and crunchy potato chips have a negative impact on your smile. Candy and soda coats your teeth with a sugary film. Crunchy potato chips can wedge food particles into the hard-to-reach areas of your smile. It’s important to consider how what you are eating will impact your dental health.
When you are meal planning, try to incorporate more smile-friendly snacks into your day. We recommend pita bread with hummus, fruit smoothies, or greek yogurt. Not only are these snacks delicious but they also contain the essential vitamins and nutrients that your teeth need to remain healthy and strong.
Schedule Your Dental Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends that all patients see their dentist once every six months for routine preventative care. When you visit our top dentist in Chicago for a dental cleaning, we will remove any plaque or tartar that is threatening the health of your teeth and gums. Our goal is to address minor issues before they develop into major dental concerns.
However, if you skip your dental cleanings, we aren’t able to keep track of your dental health, putting you at an increased risk of suffering from underlying dental concerns. Even patients with the most thorough at-home oral hygiene routines should never skip out on their professional dental cleanings and exams. If it has been over six months since the last time you sat in the dental chair, schedule an appointment with our Chicago dentist office. We look forward to seeing you soon.