4 Ways to Prevent Oral Health Problems

Every day your teeth battle against the sugars and acids from the food and drinks you consume. While they are very good at what they do, your teeth need your help to stay strong.

At Riverside Dental, our expert team recommends the following four ways to prevent oral health problems. 

Brush and floss every day

The most important way to avoid oral problems is to brush and floss your teeth daily. Not only does it remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup, but it keeps your gums healthy too. 

The CDC recommends brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily for best results. 

You should use a soft-headed toothbrush to prevent brushing damage. You can also incorporate mouthwash into your daily routine. 

Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings

While daily brushing and flossing are great for keeping your teeth strong and healthy, that alone will not be enough. Visiting the dentist every six months for cleanings will help keep plaque and tartar from staying on your teeth long enough to cause cavities. 

Alongside cleaning your teeth, the dentist will check for many oral problems like loose teeth, cavities, gum disease, and weak enamel. 

If you have serious oral problems or have had a lot of dental work done, your dentist may recommend you come in for more frequent visits. That way, we can monitor your teeth and ensure they stay strong and healthy. 

Avoid sugary drinks and foods

Many foods and drinks in modern society contain large amounts of sugar, which, while making them taste good, causes damage to your teeth's enamel.

The bacteria that cause cavities thrive on sugar, making it easier for them to break through the hard enamel surrounding your teeth. Thus, the ADA and CDC recommend limiting your daily sugar intake. 

Drinking water and eating fruits and vegetables will keep your teeth cleaner and help prevent dry mouth. 

Cut out bad habits

Multiple bad habits can contribute to oral problems, including excessive energy drink consumption, smoking, and drinking. 

Energy drinks have high amounts of acids that weaken and attack your enamel. Drinking alcohol and smoking can also aggravate oral problems, with smoking being one of the worst. 

In fact, smoking is one of the leading causes of oral cancer and gum disease, and cutting back on it can greatly improve your oral health. 

Contact us today or schedule an appointment online if you have oral health concerns or need a professional dental cleaning. Our expert team at Riverside Dental in Yonkers and Thornwood, New York is here to help.