Oral health is an important component of your overall health. Regular oral care habits such as brushing and flossing are a good place to start, but there’s so much more you can do to promote a healthy mouth. The dentists at Enterprise Dental Associates, a full-service family dental practice in Enterprise and Fort Rucker, AL, encourage their patients to look beyond basic dental care.

Here are three simple ways to promote a healthy mouth:

• Don’t Ditch The Dentist: Nearly half of Americans avoid going to the dentist for regular checkups. The reasons vary—some people are scared, others are concerned about cost. But visiting the dentist twice a year can save you money in the long run, according to the American Dental Association. Regular checkups mean your dentist can catch potential problems, like periodontal disease, decay or even oral cancer sooner rather than later. 
• Stop Smoking: If you smoke, you’ve likely heard this before. Maybe you’re even trying to quit! Here’s another good reason to stop smoking: certain ingredients in cigarettes, like nicotine and tar, not only cause tooth discoloration—they eat away at your gum tissue. When you smoke, bacteria and plaque collect on your teeth and in your gums, damaging the tissue and surrounding bones. This can lead to tooth loss and some forms of oral cancer. 
• So Long, Soda: The ingredients that give soda that satisfying fizz—phosphoric and citric acid—can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, leaving them more vulnerable to cavities. Even worse, most sodas are chock full of sugar, which invites more bacteria into your mouth. Excess sugar can lead to excess plaque, which can damage your teeth and gums. 

For best results, combine your regular brushing and flossing habits with regular dental visits. Lose the cigarettes, drink more water and avoid foods and candy with excess sugar. Questions? Need to schedule an appointment with a top-notch dentist? Call (334) 347-9564 to reach the experts at Enterprise Dental Associates, or visit their website to see a full list of dental care services, such as root canals and teeth whitening.