What's A Healthy Dental Regimen?

Are you doing everything you can to keep your smile healthy? Dr. Shaina DiMariano, your Folsom, CA family dentist, shares a few tips that will help you avoid dental problems.

Start and end your day by brushing your teeth

Brushing and flossing removes plaque from teeth and from the spaces between them. Plaque, a sticky, colorless film that coats your teeth, contains bacteria. When you eat sugary or carbohydrate-laden foods, the sugars in those foods combine with bacteria to create acids that attack your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Brushing twice per day and flossing once is the easiest way to remove plaque from your teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Many people are in such a rush to get out the door in the morning that they don't brush long enough. The ideal brushing time is two minutes. A quick brushing is better than nothing, but routinely hurrying through your oral hygiene routine may mean that plaque will begin to build up on your teeth.

When plaque isn't removed promptly, it eventually turns into tartar, a hard deposit that can only be removed with special dental instruments. If the deposits aren't removed, your risk of gum disease rises.

Use anti-bacterial mouthwashes

When you buy mouthwash, look for products that contain fluoride and kill bacteria in your mouth. For best results, spit out the mouthwash after you swish it around in your mouth but don't rinse immediately.

Make smart food choices

Limiting or avoiding sugary foods can help you prevent cavities. Instead of candy or sticky treats, snack on apples, carrots or other crunchy fruits and vegetables. These foods are not only healthy, but also help remove plaque from teeth naturally. Eating foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, broccoli, kale and fortified cereal, will help keep your teeth strong.

Visit the dentist every six months

Regular dental visits help you maintain good oral health. These visits include a complete dental examination and a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. If a cavity or other problem is spotted, your Folsom dentist will recommend treatment that will restore and protect your smile.

Is it time for your next dental visit. Call Dr. DiMariano, your Folsom, CA family dentist, at (916) 983-6655 to schedule an appointment.