Optimizing Your Dental Health

Having worked in the dental field as a Registered Dental Assistant for years, and having parents who are active Dental Professionals (Dentist and Dental Hygienist), dental health was preached loudly in our home.

Flossing felt like the bane of my existence. I hated it.

As I matured and eventually went to school for Dental Assisting, I realized how important flossing (and many other things) was for my oral health.

With the help of Dr. Beaulne, co-owner of Graystone Dental, we’ve compiled a list of 6 ways to optimize your dental health.

1. Floss.
   I know, I know, you’ve heard this before and you still don’t want to do it, but you only need to floss once a day (ideally before brushing at bedtime). Flossing not only removes the plaque wedged in between your teeth, but it accounts for the 40% of the tooth structure that cannot be cleaned with brushing alone. Flossing helps eliminate bad breath by removing the bacteria, and it also helps prevent cavities that occur in between the teeth. Dr. Beaulne has said that if he were stranded on an island and had to choose between having a toothbrush or floss, he would choose floss. The surface plaque that you brush off with a toothbrush can also be removed in other ways, but floss is irreplaceable.

2. Brush your teeth twice, daily.
   I know you’re busy, and sometimes you may miss in the morning, but really aim to brush your teeth twice, daily. Set a timer for 2 minutes and get brushing. Removing that surface plaque accounts for 60% of your tooth structure. It’s SO important to regularly brush your teeth and gum-line. Heck, start brushing your tongue too.

3. Visit the Dentist once a year.
   Visiting the dentist is different than getting a cleaning. You should visit the dental once a year to update your x-rays and to ensure that you are doing a good job of maintaining your teeth at home.

4. Get your teeth cleaned twice a year.
   Getting your teeth cleaned is much different than just getting a check-up from the dentist. Dental Hygienists are trained to remove hard build-up called calculus from the surface of the teeth. They also remove sub-gingival calculus, too (below the gum-line). The frequency of dental hygiene cleanings vary from person to person, but twice a year is a great goal to achieve.

5. Avoid Nicotine and Tobacco of any kind.
   Nicotine and tobacco stain the teeth and they notoriously cause oral cancer. Avoid using nicotine and tobacco products to help maintain your oral health.

6. Use a Straw with Drinks.
   When drinking pop, coffee, wine, or other dark liquids, it is recommended to use a straw so that the dark liquid isn’t staining your teeth. Repeated exposure can cause surface stain, making your teeth appear more yellow than natural.

As you make your oral health a priority this year, you are making your overall health a priority.