To help your family members prevent cavities and gum disease, you can teach them ways to take good care of their teeth in between dental visits. Use the following tooth care tips to give everyone in your family from the youngest member to the oldest the very best chance at maintaining excellent oral health.
Practice Good Eating Habits
According to the American Dental Association, consuming a balanced and nutritional diet is an essential aspect of caring for your teeth. Foods that are rich in calcium and protein such as dairy products and lean meats play an important role in protecting and rebuilding your tooth enamel.
You should avoid consuming an excessive amount of candy, soft drinks, cookies or other food and drinks that can lead to tooth decay because of their high sugar content. If your family regularly consumes sugary foods and soft drinks, start cutting back on some of these items and replacing them with healthier options, like fresh fruit and water.
Make Sure Your Water Contains Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to protect teeth from tooth decay and prevent cavities in both children and adults. In most areas, tap water is fluoridated, i.e. it contains fluoride levels that are optimized to help prevent tooth decay.
Choosing to drink tap water instead of bottled water is a good way to make sure everyone in your family is getting the right amount of fluoride. If you use a filtration system, choose a filter that doesn’t filter out your water’s fluoride content.
Learn the Proper Way to Brush
Every member of your family should learn the correct brushing technique as early as possible. When you brush, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line and brush the gumline and then all the surfaces of your teeth, including the outer, inner and chewing surfaces.
Make sure every member of your family brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day, for a full two minutes each time.
Teaching your family members the right tooth care tips not helps them prevent cavities and maintain bright smiles, but it sets them up to develop excellent oral care habits that can benefit them over a lifetime.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions, so get an appointment today.