Our Saint Louis dentist office is proud to offer many restorative dentistry options to help people correct dental damage. However, we also want to help our patients avoid dental damage all together—as this can save you significant time and money down the road.
Here are some tips from our dental team about how you can protect your smile and your oral health:
1. Take your daily oral hygiene routine seriously
Your brushing and flossing routine is hugely important when it comes to maintaining your oral health. Both of these actions clear plaque from your teeth and gums, and we all know that if plaque is left unaddressed it can cause cavities and gum disease.
2. Treat your dentist as your partner in dental care
In order to achieve and maintain a healthy smile, you really need combine at-home care with professional dental treatments. Make sure that you follow the ADA’s instructions to complete a professional dental cleaning every six months or so. And, feel free to ask your dentist about any questions you might have regarding how to care for your smile—that’s what they’re there for!
3. Avoid common causes of dental damage
There are a few simple steps that you can take to minimize your risk of suffering from dental cracks and chips. First of all, don’t chomp on ice, hard candies, or breath mints. Also, make sure to always wear protective mouth guards when playing contact sports or taking part in extreme activities. Finally, seek treatment right away if you notice that you are habitually grinding or clenching your teeth; this condition is called bruxism and it can really weaken your smile.
As you can see there are a number of simple things that you can do every day to boost your oral health. To get more information, and personalized recommendations from our Saint Louis dentists, just call our team to schedule a consultation!