Maintaining excellent oral health is truly a team effort. Not only do you need to follow an oral hygiene regimen at home, but you also need to see your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings and examinations. If you are doing all of this, chances are you have pretty great oral health. If you are doing great with at-home oral care but not seeing a dentist, this will likely not be enough. The truth is that tartar can build up in hard-to-reach places, which only a dental cleaning can remove. Also, you may have undetected oral health issues that do not present the symptoms you know to look out for. If you are in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, and seeking a dentist you can trust your oral health to, consider visiting our team at Rugby Dental Arts.
What Adults Can Be Doing to Maintain Great Oral Health
Everybody wants a healthy, beautiful smile, but without a dentist’s assistance, this is likely, not possible. Still, there is a lot you can do on your own to make sure that your teeth, gums, and mouth remain healthy. Here are some steps you should be taking to ensure you maintain superior oral health.
- Drink water that contains fluoride
- Brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Follow a good oral hygiene regimen at home, which includes brushing (at least) twice daily, flossing daily, and rinsing
- Visit your dentist regularly for scheduled cleanings and exams
- Avoid using tobacco products
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods
- If you have diabetes, do as instructed by your doctor to control the disease, as there are links to oral health issues and uncontrolled diabetes
- If you use any medication which causes dry mouth, ask for a different medication and, if not possible, drink plenty of water or chew gum to promote saliva production
- If you experience a sudden change in taste or smell, see your doctor or dentist
To schedule an appointment with our team, please call (434) 296-8034.
