nOur smiles are susceptible to oral health concerns, which may include tooth decay and even gum disease. However, by taking the right steps you can reduce the risk of developing common problems. With routine maintenance, as well as a healthier diet, you can strengthen your smile and help safeguard your gums and teeth against periodontal problems or cavities.
Improve Your Oral Health
- Brush your teeth correctly: You should brush twice a day and do so correctly. That means reaching every available surface of your tooth and brushing for no less than two minutes per session. Doing so helps remove food particles and reduce the severity of plaque buildup.
- Floss daily: Even more important than brushing, you need to floss your teeth. Doing so removes the food caught between teeth that toothbrush bristles may miss. You should always floss before going to bed at night.
- Drink water: A lot of drink options people enjoy contain high amounts of sugar, as well as an acidic content that is dangerous for your teeth. We recommend cutting back on sports drinks, energy drinks, sodas, and yes, even fruit juices to protect your teeth. Water hydrates and contains no acids or sugars. In fact, your tap water contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay.
- Avoid sugary snacks: As with drinks like sodas, candy and chips contain sugar and other starches that are detrimental to your smile. By cutting back on these items, you reduce your risk of developing a cavity.
- Add healthy foods o your diet: Fresh vegetables contain essential vitamins and help scrub away plaque from your teeth. Fruit can be a healthy alternative to a sugary snack or dessert. Nuts and dairy products, such as low-fat yogurt, can make fun snacks that offer vitamins, energy, and lower sugar content.
- Have your teeth cleaned twice a year: Once every six months you should have a cleaning, as this removes plaque and tartar, protecting your smile from cavities and periodontal disease.
- Don’t ignore possible signs of trouble: If you notice a toothache that doesn’t subside or tooth sensitivity, talk to us. This could potentially be a sign of tooth decay.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
