As your dentist in Summerlin, Dr. West always has your smile’s best interest in mind. And her role in your dental health goes beyond providing preventive, restorative and cosmetic services — it’s also about sharing key steps you can take to improve your dental health! With that in mind, we’ve got four tips to help you increase your oral health and strengthen tooth enamel.
#1: Break bad habits
Are you unknowingly damaging your teeth with a destructive habit? Biting your nails, chewing on pens and using your teeth as tools can all take a toll on your tooth enamel. In fact, one of the most common dental emergencies we see in our office is related to the latter — people who didn’t take the time to find scissors opening up that Christmas gift or bag of peanuts. Pay attention to how you’re treating your teeth, and make sure you’re only using them eat, speak and smile!
#2: …and form good ones
Once you’ve kicked those bad habits to the side, it’s time to pick up some positive ones.
Good dental hygiene is all about habit-forming, after all. Most adults would like to brush for two minutes, twice a day and floss daily… but when it comes down to it, they just aren’t in the habit of doing either. So how do you form a good habit? There’s a lot of debate about that one, but we think it’s about commitment and changing your behavior patterns.
To make the two minute mark when you brush, start setting the stopwatch on your phone, or invest in an electric toothbrush that comes with a timer. And remember to floss every evening by placing it prominently in your bathroom — like right beside the faucet. After a while, a full brush and floss will be something your smile won’t feel right without.
#3: Don’t skip the fluoride
Does your toothpaste come with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) stamp of approval? If not, your teeth may be missing out on the benefits of fluoride, the mineral known to strengthen tooth enamel against decay-causing plaque and tartar. This is especially true if you also drink filtered water, as tap water across the US has been treated with the mineral fluoride for its dental health benefits. To ensure you’re getting enough of the mineral, check your toothpaste for the ADA stamp — fluoride is a requirement for their approval.
#4: Seek out calcium sources
The body requires plenty of calcium for strengthening and shaping bones. And because teeth are the hardest structure in the body, they need lots of the mineral. The recommended daily value of calcium is 1200 to 1500 milligrams — and you should try to get enough through your natural diet before adding a supplement. Dairy is a well-known source of calcium, but the mineral is also abundant in dark, leafy vegetables, beans and canned fish.
Contact Your Summerlin Dentist Today!
Remember these steps and watch your dental health improve in no time. If you’ve got questions regarding your teeth or gums, or if you’d like to schedule your six month checkup and cleaning, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Summerlin Center for Aesthetic Dentistry.