Keeping your mouth healthy does more than keep your smile bright. It keeps your breath fresh, your gums healthy, your bones strong, and is a gateway to better overall health and wellness. Let’s face it, when your mouth feels clean and healthy, you smile a little brighter.
Keeping your mouth healthy doesn’t have to be time-consuming or hard. Dr. Mungcal of Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, CA, educates his patients on at-home care and proper hygiene habits to ensure that their mouth and their smiles are in the best possible condition. Here are a few tips:
Brush and floss – Every day you should take the time to properly brush your teeth at least twice and floss at least once. This is the best way to ensure that the foods and beverages you eat and drink don’t leave particles behind. Those particles can turn into plaque and bacteria, which can cause tooth decay or gum disease. Don’t rush through the process. Spend the correct amount of time (one to two minutes) making sure you brush the surface of each tooth and use dental floss to remove food particles from between the teeth, where the toothbrush can’t reach.
Eat healthy foods – Healthy foods are not just good for your body, they are good for your mouth too. Foods that have high sugar content such as candy, soda, and cakes can damage your teeth. While we can’t tell you to avoid all sweets, we do recommend consuming them in moderation. Additionally, try to brush your teeth after consuming sugary foods or drinks. Alternatively, crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery are good for your teeth because of the high amount of water they have.
Avoid bad habits – Most people know that tobacco is bad for their mouths. It can cause oral cancer, yellow teeth, and bad breath. However, other habits can also be harmful. Try to avoid biting or chewing on hard objects such as pens or ice, or using your teeth to open packages. While teeth are generally strong, they can become loose or break. Also, avoid grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, which can cause jaw pain or headaches.
Visit your dentist – Even with the best at home oral care, you still need to maintain a regular schedule of dental checkups with your dentist. This provides you with a professional cleaning where your hygienist will be able to remove plaque and bacteria that you simply cannot reach at home. It also provides your dentist with an opportunity to identify problem spots before they become bigger issues in the future.
At Downtown Dental, Dr. Mungcal and his team believe that preventative care is an important aspect of dentistry. They are committed to providing patients with the education they need to keep their mouths healthy and avoid future problems. Call today to schedule an appointment. Downtown Dental is the name you could trust and be confident in with dental health, implants, Invisalign, TMJ, cosmetic, sedation in Downtown Los Angeles.
