Beautiful young woman with mouth rinse in bathroomIt is already time for school and Summer has come to an end. While there is certainly a lot going on around you, it is also important to keep in mind your oral health. Indeed, in-office checkups are essential, as they allow a trained professional to provide a detailed examination into what is going on with you or your little one’s smile health. Moreover, it is a major element of your preventive routine. In today’s blog, your Cedar Rapids, IA dentist expands upon the meaning of your preventive dental routine, as well as discusses steps you can take at home to make it a priority.

Brush, Floss, Rinse, Repeat!

As we previously mentioned, attending your checkups is a necessary part of your preventive dental routine. Dental prevention is the name given to any practice that aims to strengthen your smile’s natural defenses and fend off an array of bacterial threats. Essentially, it is the name of the game when it comes to your oral health.

While many people associate dental prevention with their routine checkups and cleanings, this only represents part of the overall picture. You see, the majority of prevention really comes from at-home practices and routines, and without these steps, your smile is at a major disadvantage.

In order to give your teeth and other oral structures the best chances of success, most dentists recommend you practice prevention at home in the form of brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing using antiseptic mouthwash. More specifically, you should brush at least twice a day and floss after meals. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, give us a call today.

Be Conscious of Your Diet

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, in addition to your routine dental cleanings, comprise the majority of preventive practices. What you might not readily know, however, is that there is still more you can do to prioritize your pearly whites.

Whether you are aware of it or not, your diet contributes to your oral health as well as your physical health. For example, water contains fluoride, which is a necessary mineral for strong teeth and protective enamel. Moreover, sugars feed bacteria and cause them to produce acid, which is the process behind tooth decay. Contact our team to learn more today.

Other Potential Threats

In addition to the food and beverage items that affect your smile, some of your habits may as well. For instance, tobacco products and excessive consumption of alcohol have not only been shown to weaken your teeth, but can cause stains to develop as well. This leads to an unsightly appearance and a lackluster shine.

Schedule Your Next Appointment

Contact Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about the strides you can take at home to provide ideal preventive care for your grin.