5 Ways to Get a Healthier Smile 

Routine check-ups and cleanings are an important part of maintaining the health and beauty of your smile. Proper oral hygiene is an essential component of dental health. At times, it can be difficult to maintain good oral health habits due to our hectic lifestyles, but your teeth are worth the effort. Read on to learn how you can get a healthier smile. 

5 Ways to Get a Healthier Smile 

As we learn more about the relationship between oral health and overall health, we learn that the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw can give us a lot of insight into the overall function of your body. We have found that poor at-home care can lead to a number of adverse effects across the entire body. Here are 5 ways you can keep a healthy smile no matter what season of life you’re in.

1. Brush your teeth twice each day 

It’s typically common knowledge that you should be brushing your teeth twice a day – once in the morning, then again before bed at night. Brushing your teeth is a simple thing to do that makes the biggest difference in just how healthy your teeth are. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth with a toothbrush with soft bristles, and to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months. 

There are many different ways you can brush your teeth. However, in general, the ADA suggests that people hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline to remove plaque from above and just below the gums. Gently move the toothbrush back and forth in short, small strokes. For the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

2. Floss each day

Most people don’t floss each day, but they should. It is recommended that you clean between your teeth using floss at least once per day. Plaque and food can get stuck between the teeth in those spaces where it’s hard for the toothbrush to reach. If you don’t properly remove plaque, it can harden into tartar that can attack the gums and lead to gum disease. Whether you use traditional floss or dental picks, the ADA suggests talking with your dentist about your flossing habits and dental health to determine what method of flossing is best for you.

3. Use fluoride 

Fluoride is a natural substance from the earth and it does wonders for your smile. Your tooth’s enamel is the outer covering of the teeth and it’s stronger than your bones. Your saliva is loaded with calcium and phosphate to keep the teeth strong, however, over time eating things like candy and other cavity-causing carbohydrates in foods can lead to an attack on the enamel. When you add fluoride to your dental health routine, through toothpaste or mouthwash, it can team up with the calcium found in your saliva to create a powerful defense to fight cavities from forming.

4. Watch what you eat

You can still have your favorite foods and drinks, but if it’s acidic beverages or sweet treats, we recommend limiting how much you consume to protect your teeth and smile. These treats can attack the enamel, cause cavities, and can even lead to tooth decay and tooth loss if consumed in high amounts without proper cleaning of the teeth and dental checkups.

5. Go to your routine dental checkups 

No matter how healthy you are, you need routine dental checkups. While you might brush and floss each day, there are areas of mouth that you can’t see with your own eyes. In those hidden areas, you could have problems you don’t know about Visiting Stonebrook Family Dental for your routine checkups every six months is a good way to make sure that there aren’t any issues forming in those hard-to-see areas that could become more painful and expensive to treat in the future. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental for a Healthier Smile

If you’re ready to maintain a healthy smile, make an appointment with Dr. Kevin Varley and Stonebrook Family Dental today. Whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled or you just want advice on how to better your at-home dental hygiene routine, Dr. Varley and our team at Stonebrook Family Dental is here for you. No matter where you’re at in your dental health journey, we won’t judge you — we just want you to have a happy, healthy smile for years to come. Conveniently located in Aurora, Colorado, we also serve the surrounding areas of Centennial, Foxfield, and Parker.