Erin Hills Dental - Blog

Taking care of your teeth is important. Your smile is often the first impression you make when you meet a new person, and if you’re unhappy with the look of your smile, it can impact your self confidence and the way you conduct yourself both personally and professionally.

It’s also important to remember that a healthy mouth is about more than just your appearance. Studies have drawn direct correlations between oral health conditions like gum disease with serious medical problems like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Some problems are unavoidable, but when it comes to oral health, there is a lot you can do to prevent yourself from developing problems that can impact your appearance and overall health and wellness.

Here are some tips from Dr. Alborz Hormoz, your family dentist in Erin, to help you achieve a lifetime of good oral health.

1. Visit your dentist regularly

Most dental problems, like cavities and gum disease, start out as small problems that could be easily treated. When left unchecked, these issues can develop into serious problems that require expensive and invasive treatments. Cavities grow, and early-stage gum disease can develop into periodontitis which often requires a dental extraction. Regular dental visits are the best way to ensure that any small problem is identified early and treated before it gets worse.

2. Start dental visits early

If you are a parent, it’s important to get your children on the road to good oral health at an early age. Introducing your child to the dentist when they’re young (we recommend before their first birthday) not only teaches a child that the dentist is nothing to fear which makes it more likely that they’ll become an adult that stays up to date with regular dental visits, but it also gives the team at Erin Hills Dental the chance to see how things are developing and make sure that the baby teeth develop properly.

3. A consistent home-based routine

One of your best preventative lines of defense against cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems is the way you take care of your teeth in between dental visits. Be sure to floss daily and brush twice a day, every day. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste, and aim to brush for about two minutes each time.

4. Proper nutrition

Nobody’s perfect, but what you choose to eat and drink can have a significant impact on your oral health, and your health overall. By choosing whole foods that are low in sugar and acids and focusing on water instead of sugary options like pop or juice, you can help avoid tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy.

If you’re overdue for a dental checkup, call the team at Erin Hills Dental to schedule an appointment today.