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If you want to preserve your teeth and avoid cavities that cause pain, take steps to maintain good oral health. While you can go to a dentist for dental health issues, it is always easier to keep them healthy when you take the right precautions at home, too.

Dentists recommend seeing them at least twice a year for a professional cleaning, during which they assess your teeth and give recommendations on how to keep your teeth and mouth healthy and clean.

Simple methods suffice when it comes to caring for your teeth. Below are a few dentist tips for maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile.

#1 Use a Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is important for strong teeth and is a leading defense against cavities. Fluoride is a natural compound and creates a protective barrier for your teeth. It protects against acids and helps fight cavities. Fluoride can even aid in remineralization, and in some cases, reverse tooth decay. Make sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.

#2 Brush Before Going to Bed

Before you go to bed, make sure to brush your teeth to remove food particles, kill harmful bacteria, and disturb plaque formation. When you sleep, less saliva is circulating in your mouth, which makes teeth vulnerable to cavities. Plaque begins to form whenever you eat or drink something, and brushing is the only way to stop it.

#3 Reduce Intake of Sugar

Plaque, which produces acid that destroys teeth enamel, feeds on sugar. Foods and drinks high in sugar are candy, chocolates, baked goods, sodas, and flavored drinks. If you must eat or drink something with sugar, brush your teeth afterward. However, sugar is unhealthy, and it is not only harmful to teeth but also to your overall health. Reducing intake is a much better approach.

#4 Floss Teeth At Least Once a Day

Flossing at least once a day is advisable, as it removes food particles that can become trapped between teeth that the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach. The areas between teeth and along the gum line, which can be difficult to clean thoroughly by brushing, are where plaque loves to hide.

#5 Use Mouthwash At Least Once a Day

After brushing and flossing, there may still be some food particles or plaque left behind. As the final step – and you only need to do this once a day – rinse with mouthwash to wash away the remnants. Here are things you should look for in a mouthwash: antiplaque, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, with fluoride.

#6 Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth. Tobacco and nicotine are so harmful to oral health. They not only stain your teeth but also cause plaque and tartar buildup and increase the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Smoking also causes bad breath.

Dentist in Plantation, FL

To maintain healthy teeth, you need a dentist as your partner in oral health. While all the methods mentioned here are helpful, you still need a dentist for oral exams and professional cleanings. A dentist not only helps treat oral issues but also provides preventive services.

Dr. Ernie Soto is highly respected by the Plantation community. For years, Dr. Soto has helped maintain the smiles of residents and restore the smiles of those who need it. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, call our dental clinic today at (954) 368-6264, or use our convenient online request form. We look forward to helping keep your teeth and mouth healthy!