It does not take a great deal of effort to maintain a healthy smile, but you must make it a priority if you want your teeth to look good, function well, and be problem-free. Between your own at-home care and your dentist’s efforts, your smile can stay strong and attractive for a lifetime.

1. Brush and Floss Every Day

The most basic oral hygiene is brushing and flossing. Everyone should brush their teeth every morning and every night, at a minimum, and floss at night. If you have Invisalign or Six Month Smiles, you will have to clean your teeth and appliances or hardware more often.

By keeping your teeth clean, you are washing away plaque, bacteria, and food particles, protecting yourself from developing tooth decay, minimizing the chances of developing gingivitis, and maintaining fresh breath.

Two to three minutes at least twice a day – this is a commitment that isn’t time-consuming and keeps your smile looking beautiful.

2. Keep Your Dental Appointments

While at-home oral health care is critical to a healthy smile, keeping your dental appointments every six months is also necessary. No matter how well you brush and floss every day, you still need the dental care and expertise of your Hampton dentist and hygienist.

There is no substitute for the tools of your dental team, which scrape away plaque and tartar and get to the hard-to-reach areas that your toothbrush and own techniques simply can’t reach.

Dental appointments also include digital x-rays from time to time, which reveal any problems that may be developing under the surface of your smile, as well as the incredibly important oral cancer screening. Seeing your dentist regularly means your smile is being watched for complications and that any small issues will be addressed before they become painful and costly inconveniences.

3. Call Your Dentist When You Have an Emergency

Some dental problems may seem like something you can tolerate until your next dental appointment, but waiting can lead to bigger complications and more intensive repairs if there is a problem going on. If you have a severe toothache that comes on suddenly, are grinding and clenching your teeth every night, suffer a blow to the mouth, or have any sort of discomfort, contact your dentist.

Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, and they do not always occur at the most convenient times. Call your emergency dentist whenever you are worried about your oral health. You don’t need to have a dislodged tooth to qualify as an emergency dental patient, but do allow your Hampton dentist to hear your circumstances and decide what is acute and what can wait.

Keep a Healthy Smile with Help from Your Hampton Dentist

Healthy teeth are easy to maintain when you make them a priority and maintain a relationship with your Hampton dentist. Contact us today to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning, discuss an oral health concern, or get advice about the best tools to use to keep a healthy smile.