It’s easy to protect your smile from decay and gum disease with the proper care.

Why wait until a dental problem arises to see the dentist? Why deal with needing to fill a tooth or place a crown when you may be able to prevent that from happening in the first place? Here in West Hempstead, NY, our dentists are focused on providing preventive and general dentistry to keep you and your family’s smiles healthy. Of course, that also means doing your part to practice good preventive care. Some of the ways that you can protect your smile from cavities and gum disease include:

Brushing twice a daily 

Brushing is the best way to remove plaque and food particles from the surfaces of your teeth as well as your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth. Brushing away plaque will prevent it from hardening into tartar, which your toothbrush won’t be able to remove. To keep your teeth clean, it’s important to brush at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

Replace your toothbrush head regularly 

Is it time to replace your toothbrush? It’s actually easy to tell. If the bristles of your brush look worn down or frayed, then it’s time to replace the head (or the whole toothbrush if you have a manual one). It’s important to do this as soon as the bristles show signs of wear (about every 3-4 months). You should also replace your toothbrush head immediately after recovering from an illness to prevent reinfection.

Flossing everyday

You must be also flossing your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food from between teeth and along the gum line. There are just certain areas of our mouth that your toothbrush can’t properly clean, which is why you also need to floss daily if you want to make sure that you are giving your smile a thorough at-home cleaning.

See your dentist for checkups

Even if you are flossing and brushing every day and eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar, it’s still important that you visit our West Hempstead, NY, dentists for general and preventive dentistry every six months (even if your smile seems healthy). Along with routine checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, we also provide other preventive treatment options including fluoride treatment or dental sealants to reduce your risk for developing cavities.

While you are your best advocate when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, it’s also important that you are turning to our West Hempstead, NY, general dentistry team for cleanings and checkups. Is it time for your family to come in for their biannual cleanings? If so, call Confident Smile Dental at (516) 564-9444 to schedule appointments for everyone.