Things You Can Do at Home to Maintain a Healthy Smile

Everyone wants healthy teeth, but sometimes it seems almost impossible to get the smile you want. Seeing a dentist regularly is a huge part of maintaining a healthy smile, however, there are several small things you can do at home to keep your teeth healthy and strong as well. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you achieve healthier teeth and gums. 

1. Floss and brush your teeth daily - Any dentist you go to will tell you that brushing and flossing your teeth daily is the most important thing when you are looking to maintain healthy teeth. Ideally, you want to floss once a day and brush your teeth twice a day. Many people skip flossing, but flossing is the only way to clean in between your teeth. Failure to floss allows plaque to build up between your teeth which leads to dental issues like cavities and gum disease. 
2. Eat a balanced diet - A common thing for dentists to say is to avoid eating sugar and sticky foods to prevent cavities and other dental issues. However, that is unrealistic for most people so just make sure you are flossing and brushing after eating sugary or sticky foods and drinks. 
3. Do not use tobacco products and limit alcohol consumption - Tobacco products are extremely bad for your overall physical health and your dental health. Use of tobacco products like chewing tobacco and cigarettes will lead to gum disease, tooth discoloration, and oral cancer. Your dentist will be able to tell right away if you use any tobacco products and will caution you of the repercussions if you do not quit. 
4. Brush your teeth after having coffee - Coffee can stain your teeth if you drink it daily, so it is best to take some precautionary measures if you love it. If your coffee is cool enough to drink through a straw that is a great way to limit the amount of coffee that encounters your teeth. Another thing you can do is brush your teeth right after you finish your morning or afternoon coffee. 

Contact Coleman County Dental Center for more tips about how to keep your teeth healthy or to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve the Ballinger, Brownwood, and Coleman, TX communities.