Brush up on your dental health

Today?s on-the-go lifestyle makes it difficult to find time for the daily oral health routine needed to prevent cavities and gum disease. With 75 percent of Americans having some form of gum disease, knowing what you can do to prevent irreversible damage is essential to maintain that healthy smile.

Did you know?

• Cavities and some forms of gum disease are irreversible.
• A cavity is simply tooth decay, caused by bacteria.
• Gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is usually painless; you may not be able to detect it on your own.

Step into a routine ? Make your oral health routine an everyday habit.

Brush ? Use a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day. When you consume food, bacteria produce acids as they feed on the sugars and starches left in your mouth and ultimately create plaque on your teeth. Brushing the acids and plaque away prevent damage.

Floss ? Once a day to keep the plaque away. Flossing reaches in between the teeth where the thick bristles of your brush cannot. If you don?t like the spool of floss, look for individual flossing sticks that are simple to use and kid-friendly, too.

Rinse ? Use a mouthwash containing fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen the protective enamel on teeth. Rinse mouth with water between meals if brushing is not an option.

Eat wisely ? What and how you eat can affect oral health.

Snack attack ? The craving for sweets will arise, so try to consume them as dessert after meals. Keep between-meal snacks teeth-friendly by minimizing sugars.

Battle of beverages ? Drink sugary beverages within 15 minutes to decrease the time teeth are exposed to acids given off by the bacteria as they eat the sugar from the drink.

Reducing risk ? The key to reducing cavity risk and tooth damage is lowering the total time and frequency that your teeth are exposed to the sugars that bacteria feed on.

Make an appointment ? Your dentist is here to help.

Regular exams ?The American Dental Association recommends getting a checkup twice a year for regular cleaning. Your dentist can spot the early signs of cavities or gum disease, reducing the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums and helping to prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years.

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.