7 Steps To a Healthy Smile

At Avalon Dental Care, we are all about maintaining healthy, vibrant smiles. We encourage you to take the following seven simple steps to enhance the health and appearance of your smile.

#1  Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing every day is crucial to maintaining healthy, cavity-free teeth. For the best results, brush twice a day for two to three minutes at a time, making sure to clean your teeth, even the hard to reach ones, on the inside, outside, top, and bottom. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well.

#2  Floss Every Day

Brushing and flossing go hand in hand. While daily brushing removes about 50 percent of harmful bacteria in your mouth, flossing also helps remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from those tiny crevices between your teeth.

#3  Avoid Foods That Are Harmful to Your Teeth

One of the best ways to combat harmful bacteria in your mouth is by avoiding sugary foods that provide an abundant food source, starchy foods that cling to the teeth’s grooves and crevices, and acidic foods that erode the tooth enamel.

#4  Consume a Balanced, Nutritious Diet

A balanced, nutritious diet helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. That includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low or no-fat dairy products. Instead of snacking on sugary or processed treats, opt for raw vegetables, fresh fruit, cheese, or nuts. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to prevent dry mouth.

#5  Wear a Mouthguard

Anyone involved in contact sports activities will benefit greatly from wearing a custom mouthguard known as a sports guard. That will help prevent injury to the teeth, tongue, and soft tissues. The same goes for patients who habitually grind and clench their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Wearing a mouthguard called a night guard during sleep will protect the teeth from damage or wear.

#6  Avoid Oral Piercings

Oral piercings come with a long list of problems, including infections, chipped and broken teeth, and more. The risks that oral piercings pose can detract from your smile rather than enhance it.

#7  Schedule Your Dental Exams and Cleanings

One of the best things you can do for your smile is to schedule your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings. That will allow us to evaluate every aspect of your oral health and remove any plaque and tartar deposits. The result? A clean and healthy smile!

Quality Preventative Care Near Me

We, at Avalon Dental Care in the El Segundo and Lomita areas, encourage our valued patients to maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices and keep up with their routine dental exams and cleanings. We are all about prevention for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!