At Valley Dental Health, we aim to provide our patients with all the information they need to care for their smiles. Often, patients visit our Hunt Valley dental office looking to learn more about how they can improve their dental health.
You can take these simple steps to improve your dental health over time. Our Hunt Valley dentists suggest the following steps for improving your dental health.
Brush & Floss
While this may seem like a simple tip, you should be brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing and flossing are your smiles main lines of defense to prevent dental concerns like tooth decay and gum disease.
If you skip out on brushing and flossing, the food residue left behind from your daily meals will harden into plaque or tartar. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that can eat away at your healthy soft tissues if allowed to remain on your smile for an extended amount of time.
When brushing and flossing are not as convenient to do on-the-go, rinse your mouth out with water or chew sugar-free gum. This can dislodge any food particles remaining on your smile from midday meals and snacks. The goal is to keep your smile moist and free from excess food residue that can impact your dental health.
Evaluate Your Diet
Your diet directly impacts your overall dental health. If you are eating a lot of foods that are high in sugar, you are more likely to develop dental cavities. Gummy candies and crunchy potato chips can leave behind a lot of food residue on your teeth. You should only eat these in moderation.
Additionally, beverages like soda, coffee, and tea can stain your teeth and coat them with residue. Keep track of your diet and incorporate more smile-friendly alternatives into your meal plan.
Your Hunt Valley dentists recommend pita bread with hummus, fruit smoothies, or greek yogurt. These snacks are not only delicious to eat but they also contain the essential vitamins and minerals that your smile needs to remain healthy and strong.
Schedule Your Dental Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends that all patients see their dentists once every six months for routine dental cleanings. During your routine dental cleanings, our team will remove any plaque or tartar threatening your smile. Your dental cleanings are a great time to discuss dental concerns with a professional.
Our goal is to catch minor issues before they develop into major dental concerns that would require more invasive treatment options. By scheduling your dental cleanings and keeping track of your at-home oral hygiene routines, you can improve and maintain your smile for many years.
The Power of Proper Technique
Brushing and flossing only deliver maximum benefits when done correctly. Many patients are surprised to learn they’ve been using improper techniques for years. For optimal cleaning, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle, circular motions rather than harsh scrubbing.
Electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors can help prevent gum damage from overbrushing. When flossing, curve the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape and slide it gently beneath the gumline. Our Hunt Valley dental team would be happy to demonstrate proper techniques during your next visit – just ask! Remember, vigorous brushing doesn’t mean better cleaning; it can actually wear down enamel and irritate gums.
Hydration and Oral Health
Water does more for your smile than just rinsing away food particles. Staying properly hydrated maintains healthy saliva flow, your mouth’s natural defense system against harmful bacteria. Dry mouth creates an environment where cavities and gum disease thrive. We recommend drinking water throughout the day, especially after meals and acidic beverages.
Tap water with fluoride provides additional protection by strengthening tooth enamel. For patients who experience chronic dry mouth, we can recommend specialized rinses and lifestyle adjustments to help maintain moisture. Keep a reusable water bottle handy as part of your daily oral health routine.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Modern research continues to reveal surprising links between oral health and overall wellness. Gum disease can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes complications, and even certain respiratory conditions. Inflammation in your mouth can contribute to systemic inflammation throughout your body.
Conversely, conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis often show early signs in the mouth. This bidirectional relationship means caring for your smile directly benefits your general health. Our team takes a whole-body approach to dentistry, monitoring for oral signs of systemic conditions and coordinating care with your physicians when needed. Think of your regular dental visits as important checkpoints for your overall wellbeing.
If it has been over six months since the last time you sat in the dental chair, schedule an appointment online with Valley Dental Health today. We look forward to seeing you soon, and providing you with the care you need to smile brighter.