A peace of sugar in the fake jaw with a lot of holes in teeth isolatedEveryone deserves an opportunity to feel comfortable in the skin they are in, and sometimes that means taking cosmetic matters into your own hands. Fortunately, there is nothing wrong with that! You should be able to love your grin and not have to shy away from showing it off, and that is what cosmetic dentistry aims to help with. Keep in mind, however, that your oral health is the ultimate priority, and without oral health on your side, the rest will suffer. In today’s blog, your Cedar Rapids, IA dentist identifies a few at-home practices you can use to help prioritize your smile’s health.

A Thorough Care Routine

It goes without saying that preventive dentistry is the name of the game when it comes to a healthy, lifelong smile. Indeed, when we ask our patients about their level of at-home preventive care, many are quick to discuss their brushing habits. You see, brushing absolutely is a healthy foundation of at-home care, but it is also only part of the story.

As a matter of fact, your dentist recommends a well-rounded routine that addresses the various components of your smile’s health, including the gums, tongue, and more. Moreover, our team recommends a balance of brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing between meals, and utilizing mouthwash to rinse.

Because your oral cavity is comprised of various structures, it would be foolish to ignore how these structures contribute to your level of health. For example, brushing helps remove deposits of bacteria-laden plaque, whereas flossing is necessary for periodontal health and preventing the onset of gum disease. Finally, rinsing with mouthwash helps reach areas that may be difficult with brushing or flossing alone, and provides an overall better clean throughout. To learn more about this process, give our team a call today.

Paying Mind to Your Diet

In addition to a thorough at-home preventive routine, you should pay attention to the way certain foods and beverages influence your smile’s health. For example, some beverages such as coffees and teas not only contain staining pigments that darken your smile’s hue, but they can also contain higher levels of acidity that weaken the protective enamel surrounding your teeth.

Additionally, sugar acts as a catalyst for oral bacteria to produce destructive acids, thus increasing your chances of developing decay. Reach out to our team today to learn more about this process.

Avoiding Harmful Substances

Finally, your daily habits and vices can also lead to a less healthy smile. You see, individuals who utilize tobacco products or consume excessive amounts of alcohol not only cause their structures to weaken with time, but these habits also contribute to a brownish-yellow hue.

Schedule Your Appointment

To learn more about the steps you can take to better prioritize your oral health at home, contact Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108 and schedule your next appointment with our office today.