If you want healthy teeth and gums, you should go to the dentist regularly for checkups and teeth cleanings in addition to maintaining your oral hygiene at home. At the office of Judy Walker, DDS, in Greensboro, NC, they consider your oral health to be your most important asset. The dentist and her staff emphasize that preventive care can help you preserve your beautiful smile. Here they offer additional tips for you to follow at home to prevent dental problems.

3 Tips for Improving Your Oral Health

1. Improve Your Diet

While eating the wrong foods can make you more susceptible to cavities and gum disease, the right foods can be beneficial for your teeth. Instead of eating sugar and grains, you should opt for raw fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery. These are naturally abrasive and clean your teeth, but they also stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn removes bacteria from your mouth. Cheese is also a great food for your teeth because it includes calcium, which is necessary to strengthen your bones. It also reduces the acidity of your mouth, which is great for your oral health.

2. Floss Daily

If you’re not currently flossing your teeth, you’re compromising your oral health. Flossing doesn’t take long and only needs to be done once a day to promote healthy teeth and gums. If your dentist has already noticed signs of gum disease in your mouth, flossing is even more imperative. If dexterity is an issue, you can use a water pick to get similar results.

3. Switch Your Toothbrush

You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months. When you get a new one, it’s important to choose a brush with soft bristles. Hard bristles or vigorous brushing action can hurt your gums and cause them to recede, which promotes gum disease and can eventually lead to tooth loss. When you use hard bristles, you’re tougher on your teeth’s enamel, which is what protects your teeth against cavities.

Regular dentist visits are imperative to good oral health. At the office of Judy Walker, DDS, your teeth are in good hands. With more than 25 years of experience and the latest technologies, they will take care of all your general dentistry needs. They also offer teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures. Visit their website for more information about caring for your oral health, or call (336) 275-1472 to schedule an appointment.