Dental hygiene is of the utmost importance throughout all stages of our lives. It is vital to start looking after your teeth at an early age and continue on with this care as we age. Part of this includes regular visits to the dentist, as well as carrying out ongoing and regular cleaning techniques at home.

While regular visits to the dental hygienist can partner with you to help prevent tooth decay, there are simple things that you can do to ensure that your teeth remain in the best possible condition.

What the professional general dentists in Washington have to say

Leading dental hygienists and general dentists operating in the Tacoma and Washington areas have presented the following dental care tips to prevent tooth decay:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Cavities are caused from low PH levels. By brushing your teeth in in the morning and evening you can remove this acidity which will help with the prevention of cavities and decay.
• Floss. It is important to floss everyday to ensure that food and bacteria stuck between the teeth is properly removed and cannot cause potential decay.
• Go for professional fluoride treatments. This is known to reduce the potential of cavities by approximately 75%.
• Avoid eating foods that will increase the acidity levels in your mouth causing enamel to erode and cavities to form. Foods to avoid or monitor your intake of include wine, beer, coffee, sodas, fruit juice, bananas, lemon juice and so on. We can provide you with a list of “safe” foods which should also include milk and other dairy products, tap water (fluoridated), fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol.
• It is important to avoid “snacking” throughout the day. Eating continuously during the day, leads to the acidic environment that causes cavities repeatedly being created. By keeping food intake to 3-4 times a day and caring for teeth appropriately afterward, the acidic environment is limited.
• Pay a visit to your dental hygienist every 6 months for a checkup and professional cleaning.

Ensure that you take good care of your teeth – turn to the professional dental hygienists at Distinctive Dentistry for more advice on caring for your teeth today!

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