BACK TO BASICS: Oral Care Tips for a Healthy Smile

It can be easy to get distracted from proper oral care, especially with all the new tools and features available on the market. From water picks to tongue scrapers, there are many items that can pull your attention away from the basics of oral care. As the best dentist near Springfield, MO, we pride ourselves on keeping our patients informed and up-to-date on proper oral care. Take a look below to learn more about these oral care tips for a happy, healthy smile!

Brush, Brush, Brush

Brushing your teeth is vital to your oral care and overall health. Not brushing can lead to gum disease and cavities in your teeth. It's recommended to brush your teeth twice each day. Try to make this part of your morning and night-time routine that way you don't skip it. Start the day with a clean and fresh mouth and end the day the same way! It's a great way to get into a good habit of brushing twice each day!

Floss Between Teeth

While brushing your tooth surface cleans a big portion of your teeth, you still miss about 40% of your tooth's surface if you skip flossing. Between your teeth lingers food particles and other bacteria that builds up throughout the day. Flossing once a day can help keep your teeth clear of harmful bacteria that may cause damage to your tooth surface.

Drink Plenty of Water

Not only is water good for your entire body, it's important for proper oral care too. Keeping your gums and mouth hydrated is good for circulation and helps to keep all body functions working properly. Water also helps to wash food particles from your mouth after a meal. This can help to keep food from building up on your tooth surface, which attracts bacteria and can cause damage.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet helps to keep your teeth and mouth in a healthy condition. Sugary filled foods can build up on your teeth and cause damage, when mixed with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth. Try to regulate your food intake and keep a happy balance between sweet treats and healthy foods.

Your family deserves a great smile and Access Dental and Dentures is here to help! Our southern Missouri dental practice is here for all of your oral care needs. From tips to tools to a routine check up, we pride ourselves on providing great dental care for all of our customers. To learn more, be sure to schedule your routine teeth cleaning and check up every six months! Contact us at 877-DENTIST to set up an appointment today!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove

How Does Candy Damage Your Teeth?

Your kids may be looking forward to all of the Halloween festivities that are quickly approaching, but your dentist is not excited about all the sugar intake many people around the country are about to experience. While avoiding candy all together can be a difficult feat for many, your trusted dentist in Springfield, Missouri wants you to be aware of the damaging effects candy can have on your teeth. More details on how candy damages your teeth is provided below by Access Dental and Dentures.

How Sugar Reacts Inside Mouth-

As you eat food with a high level of sugar, like candy, the bacteria in your mouth feeds on the sugar that you intake. Once this bacteria feeds of sugar, it breaks down into acids that eat away at the enamel protecting your tooth. The longer sugar is in the mouth, the more the bacteria breaks down and can eat away at the tooth enamel. Crevices in the tooth that hold sticky, sugary candy are usually the most prone to having an issue caused by the bacteria eroding the protective layer on the teeth.

How to Deal with a Cavity-

If you do have an issue arise from the bacteria breaking down your tooth enamel, a cavity, or hole in the tooth may occur. If you do experience a cavity, visit a dental professional as soon as possible. At this point, a professional will be able to fill in the cavity, helping to prevent further damage to the tooth.

How To Prevent Tooth Damage-

There are a number of ways to help prevent damage to the tooth. First off, regulate the amount of sugary foods you intake, especially around the Halloween holiday. Along with watching your sugar intake, consider substituting candy for a sugar-free option. Drinking plenty of water can help wash away some of the sugar, and therefore bacteria build up, which causes damage to teeth. Ensure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once, to keep your teeth clear of damaging bacteria that can eat away at the protective enamel covering your teeth. A regular dental visit should be scheduled every six months to ensure no new tooth damage has occurred, and if there is an issue, it can quickly be addressed.

Now that you know more about how the sugar in candy effects the teeth, you can better prepare for the sugar overload that you may experience this Halloween. To help protect your teeth, practice a good oral hygiene habits on a regular basis. The best dentist in Osage Beach, MO is here to help you and your kids regulate your sugar intake, as Halloween approaches. Give Access Dental and Dentures a call at 877-DENTIST to schedule an appointment, if you do experience an issue with your teeth this holiday season. 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Connect with us on LinkedIn
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Springfield Office                         Rolla Office                     Osage Beach Office
(417) 501-1048                              (573) 426-5447                  (573) 348-1466
1701 West Sunshine                      416 S. Bishop Ave.            4320 Osage Beach Parkway

Springfield, MO 65807                   Rolla, MO 65401               Osage Beach, MO. 65065