Visiting the New London family dentistry offices of Drs. Thomas Matyas, Janelle Gold Matyas, and Teresa Matyas for checkups is a simple way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. In between visits, these steps will help you protect your smile.
Upgrade your oral hygiene routine
Every routine needs a few refinements from time to time, and oral hygiene is no exception. Brushing and flossing, key components of a good oral care routine, remove plaque from your mouth. The sticky substance causes cavities if it remains on your teeth too long and is also a factor in gum disease.
Unfortunately, if your technique is poor or you don't brush or floss as often as you should, your risk of tooth decay and cavities increases. Keeping these tips in mind can help you maintain good oral health:
- Brush for Two Minutes: The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes to completely remove plaque from teeth. Brushing in the morning and evening will help keep plaque under control. Don't forget to brush your tongue too. If you don't clean your tongue with a brush or scraper, plaque may find its way on to your teeth just a few minutes after you finish brushing.
- Become a Daily Flosser: If you don't already floss once a day, make flossing part of your daily routine. Flossing not only removes trapped food particles but also gets rid of plaque between teeth.
- Use a Soft Toothbrush: Soft toothbrushes effectively remove plaque without damaging your tooth enamel.
- Take Advantage of the Benefits of Fluoride: Fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash rebuilds weak areas of tooth enamels at risk for tooth decay.
Improve your diet
A well-balanced diet is important for your oral health and may reduce inflammation. Make sure your daily diet includes selections from all of the food groups. Avoid or reduce the amount of sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods and beverages you consume. When sugars combine with the bacteria in plaque, acids form. These acids are strong enough to eat through tooth enamel and cause cavities. If you need help finding a balanced diet that works for you, talk to your New London Family Dentistry.
Visit the dentist every six months
During your twice-yearly visits to the New London Family Dentistry office, you'll receive a cleaning to remove plaque and tartar and will spend a little time with the dentist. He or she will look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues and also perform an oral cancer screening.
Are you due for a checkup? Call the family dentistry offices of Drs. Thomas Matyas, Janellen Gold Matyas, and Teresa Matyas at (860) 443-4199 to schedule an appointment.