Steps to a Healthier and Whiter Smile from Riverside Cosmetic Dentist

1.  Brush regularly.  Brushing for 2 minutes twice daily will remove the sticky plaque that forms on your teeth along with bacteria.  Toothpaste with whitening crystals will help to remove daily surface stains from the tooth surface.  My preference is to use an electric toothbrush with a 2 minute timer as my brushing tool for at home.

2.  Floss daily:  Flossing  removes the daily build-up of plaque and bacteria in-between the teeth.  Consistent removal of build-up in-between the teeth will help decrease your chances of gum disease.

3.  Frequent Dental/Dental Hygiene visits.  It is ideal to have 2 dental exams a year and a minimum of 2 dental hygiene visits per year.  The frequency of dental visits depends on the health of the oral environment.  Most individuals who have excellent homecare and no evidence of periodontal disease or history of decay will only need 2 visits per year.  It is wise to have these visits so that our dental team can catch any problems that may arise on a smaller level.  If you are in need of a dental exam or dental cleaning please call our Riverside Cosmetic Dental Office to schedule an appointment (951)686-3666.

4.  Have a healthy diet and lifestyle.  Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly is not only beneficial for your body and extremely beneficial for the health of your mouth too!  For example, vitamin C helps maintain healthy gums and calcium helps keep the teeth and the bone surrounding the teeth strong.  Also, foods and drinks containing sugar and citric acid can cause cavities so it is best to limit them.

5.  Don’t smoke or use chewing tobacco.  Tobacco significantly increases your risk for periodontal disease which leads to bone-loss and tooth-loss over time.  The risk of you obtaining oral cancer is much greater than that of an individual who does not use tobacco products.