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Having and maintaining a healthy smile requires a lifetime of care. The right steps towards proper care of your teeth help prevent problems and give you a perfect smile all day long.
Every individual can prevent these oral problems by getting proper dental care at home and in the dentist’s office and practicing good oral hygiene. Listed below are your Weddington dentist’s top 5 tips and treatments to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
5 Tips For a Healthy Smile in Weddington
Brush Regularly But Not Aggressively
Brushing your teeth twice a day is crucial to removing plaque and bacteria and keeping your teeth clean. You should brush your teeth using small circular motions and ensure that you brush the front, back, and top of every tooth. This process is completed within two to three minutes.
Brushing aggressively, using a hard-bristled toothbrush, or sawing back and forth while brushing can damage your tooth enamel and the gums. This may result in tooth sensitivity, gum erosion, and permanent damage to the protective enamel of the teeth.
The American Dental Association suggests using a soft bristle toothbrush. They also encourage people to change their toothbrushes at an interval of three months or when they start looking frayed, whichever comes first.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash, and it helps prevent cavities. However, some oral products do not contain fluoride, while some don’t use it entirely.
Lack of fluoride can cause tooth decay, even if you take proper care of your teeth. A recent study indicates that brushing and flossing do not prevent individuals from getting cavities if they don’t use fluoride.
Fluoride can also be found in drinking water, as some communities in the United States have added fluoride to their water supply. You can determine if the water in your area contains fluoride by contacting the local government.
Beware of Snacking
Eating sugary foods and snacks can cause damage to your teeth. When bacteria feed on sugar, they are converted into acids that can erode your enamel. Acidic snacks such as potato chips, fruits, teas, and coffee can wear down your tooth enamel. While you don’t have to cut down the consumption of these foods completely, it’s best to be mindful.
Quit Smoking
Smoking destroys the body’s immune system, making it difficult for the body to heal tissues quickly, including those in the mouth. Smoking also causes gum diseases, and those who smoke may experience slow healing after dental treatments.
Smoking also discolors your teeth and tongue, gives your breath a bad odor, can lead to oral cancer, and affects the overall appearance of your mouth.
Consider a Mouthwash
Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine can benefit your oral health by controlling plaque and gingivitis. Mouth rinses cannot replace brushing and flossing, but they complement your oral health habits. You can ask your dentist for the best mouthwash to use.
Cosmetic Treatments For Healthy Oral Care in Weddington
Cosmetic treatments help reshape the appearance of your teeth to give you a radiant and healthy smile. We offer some cosmetic treatments in Weddington near Waxhaw, NC. They include:
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are custom-made tiny shells that cover your natural teeth. They are designed with medical-grade ceramic and can be used to resolve various cosmetic issues such as crooked teeth, damaged or cracked enamel, and noticeable gaps between two teeth. Your dentist fixes the veneer to the front of each tooth using a dental adhesive.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a standard cosmetic procedure carried out at your dentist’s office, often in a single visit. They are required because our teeth become stained and worn from food, medication, drinks, and habits such as smoking.
Your dentist will first remove plaque, tartar, and other debris on each tooth surface to give it its natural appearance. Then, the teeth are whitened with a bleaching agent to achieve a whiter shade than their original color.
Restorative Treatments in Weddington
If you have a broken tooth or have lost some of your teeth, restorative treatments in Weddington near Waxhaw, NC, can help replace your teeth and give you a healthy smile. Below are some of our restorative procedures to help enhance your dental health.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are placed over an entire tooth to protect teeth with large cavities that can’t be resolved with dental fillings or a vulnerable tooth after a root canal. They are also used to support a bridge that replaces missing teeth.
For a dental crown procedure, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth and send it to the lab, where your crown will be custom-made. Before getting your actual crown, your dentist will place a temporary crown over your natural tooth and replace it when the original crown is ready.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots that hold replacement teeth in place. They look and feel like your natural teeth and can help enhance your speech and bite. Dental implants require multiple visits to the dentist before completion. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Visit Your Weddington Dentist
To give yourself a perfect smile, you need to visit your dentist regularly. At a minimum, you should see your dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. Not only will your dentist remove plaque and check out for cavities, but they can also discover issues and provide treatment solutions. Schedule an appointment with us at Serene Dental Spa today; let’s give you the good oral health you desire.
