When you became an adult, you probably found out quickly that life involves tasks you don’t really enjoy or find hard to do, but you learn to do them anyway because they are necessary. For example, you may not love going to the dentist for checkups and cleanings, you really need to get it done to avoid dealing with tooth pain or even losing your teeth from poor care. If you find the cleaning and checkup uncomfortable or unpleasant, did you know you can take certain actions to make these appointments easier for yourself and your dentist? Keep reading to learn what you can do to simplify your dental care and shorten these visits.
Attend Your Dental Checkup and Cleaning Regularly
Have you ever wondered why the American Dental Association strongly urges everyone to see a dentist at least every six months? Does it really need to happen this frequently? Yes! Even if you don’t feel anything wrong in your mouth, cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and more can develop in a short time. Catching these issues early means you need less invasive and expensive treatment to address them. Also, if you skip regular cleanings, plaque and calculus buildup can take more effort and much longer to remove during your cleaning than if you have it done more often.
Be Diligent in Daily Oral Hygiene
Before it becomes solid calculus, plaque is a white, sticky substance that forms from bacteria in the mouth and food debris. It takes only a few hours to harden and become difficult to take off. Brushing for two minutes morning and evening and flossing at least once daily swipe away the sticky plaque before it can adhere to your teeth. With cleaner teeth day-to-day, your hygienist should have much less to remove during your appointment.
Choose a More Nutritious Diet
The types of foods and beverages you have throughout the day directly affect the bacterial makeup in your mouth. Sugary, acidic, and starchy food and drinks encourage harmful bacterial growth, raising the risk of tooth erosion and infection. On the other hand, many fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and more contain vitamins and minerals your body needs to fight these bacteria and keep your smile healthy and strong!
Have More Water
Without sugar, water is by far the healthiest beverage you can consume. In fact, public sources often contain fluoride, which is a mineral that bolsters teeth against decay. Water also helps your mouth stay hydrated and neutralizes the impact of bad bacteria. It can rinse away food debris and plaque, making your daily hygiene more effective.
Avoid Smoking, Vaping, Tobacco, and Excessive Drinking of Alcohol
Along with many other health risks, vaping, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and using any type of tobacco come with huge problems for your oral cavity. Research establishes causation of exposure to these chemicals on the development of oral cancer and gum disease, the top reason for tooth loss in adults. Quitting these habits can make it easier to keep your mouth in good condition.
In the end, you should be going to these appointments anyway. It makes sense to put in a little extra effort every day and make these appointments more efficient, more pleasant, and less eventful! If you implement these improvements, your dental checkups and cleanings can be fast, easy, and rewarding!
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental has a total of six office locations throughout the Lincoln area. Locally owned and operated, we love helping our neighbors, friends, and families achieve and keep oral health. Other than routine preventive care, we offer many services to restore and enhance your smile, including veneers, dental implants, Invisalign, and more! To schedule an appointment, call one of our locations or visit our Contact Us page here.