5 Preventive Dental Essentials You Must Have

The statistics can be scary: Nearly all adults experience dental disease, like tooth decay or gum disease, at some point. The good news? Despite what the statistics might suggest, advanced dental issues like periodontal disease and tooth decay are easily preventable with simple, affordable daily steps. With the right oral hygiene habits, you don’t need to worry about experiencing dental disease. So now the question  is, do you have the 5 preventive dental essentials you must have stocked in your bathroom in order to maintain the health of your teeth?

A fresh toothbrush

For the best cleaning results, you want to use a clean toothbrush with soft new bristles that will not damage your tooth enamel. You should replace your toothbrush approximately every three months, however, many adults overlook this advice. After three months, your toothbrush bristles becomes worn and could do more harm than good. Also, your toothbrush can harbor bacteria over time, so it’s best to replace yours regularly. To ensure that you are always brushing your teeth with a clean soft-bristled toothbrush, make the effort to replace your toothbrush every three months to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Manual and electric toothbrushes both do the job, though many dentists prefer to use an electric toothbrush.

Fluoridated toothpaste

Strong tooth enamel is your tooth’s natural defense against decay. Keep your tooth enamel strong and resilient by using fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, so it can continue to be a barrier against tooth decay. Use fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay.

Tools for flossing

Flossing is extremely important to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing is effective to clean the large areas of your teeth surfaces, but flossing is necessary to clean the small spaces and crevices where decay and disease predominantly originate. You need to floss daily to prevent dental disease.

Anti-bacterial mouthwash

Swish and rinse with anti-bacterial mouthwash as an added precaution to prevent bacteria-induced disease. The bacteria in your mouth reacts with the sugars and starches in food to form an enamel-eroding acid. Minimizing this bacteria means less acid that leads to decay and gum disease.

Water

Drink lots of water! Keep a water cup by your toothbrush as a reminder to drink up often. It’s essential to stay hydrated to support your saliva and prevent mouth dryness.

ABOUT YOUR PELLA, IA, FAMILY DENTIST:

At Allen Family Dentistry, Dr. Jeffrey F. Allen, Dr. Denise E. Neumann, and our talented, compassionate staff are dedicated to providing high-quality family, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen or Dr. Neumann, call our dental office in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.