Proper oral hygiene will ensure a lifetime of stunning smiles. However, that's not the only reason to visit your dentist. Taking care of your teeth, tongue, and gums will also contribute to your overall health in several ways, including reducing your risk of heart disease and even cancer. Thankfully, you can improve your health—both oral and overall—by following these tips.

Do:

Use a soft-bristled brush.

It might feel like a medium- or hard-bristled brush leaves you with a deeper clean, but these options can cause more harm than good. The purpose of brushing is to eliminate plaque that has accumulated throughout the day. Since plaque is nothing more than a sticky film, soft bristles can effectively remove it. On the other hand, hard bristles can scrape away your teeth's enamel over time, leaving them more vulnerable to damage and decay.

Schedule professional cleanings.

Even if you brush regularly, plaque can build up in hard-to-reach places and eventually calcify into tartar. Since this can only be removed with special tools, you must visit your dentist periodically for professional cleanings. Otherwise, the tartar can make its way under the gum line, eventually causing periodontitis. Talk to your dentist about your current oral health and various risk factors to determine how often you should come in, but know that most recommend visits every six months.

Floss daily.

Flossing every day will eliminate much of the plaque that bristles can't reach. If you're not a fan of traditional dental floss, or you find it hard to clean between the teeth in the back of your mouth, try using an easier alternative, such as interdental brushes, water picks, or disposable floss picks.

Don’t:

Consume a lot of sugar.

A diet high in sugar will increase your risk of developing cavities. When you eat or drink these foods, the sugar coats your teeth, giving harmful bacteria something to thrive on. The bacteria produce acid that can eat away at enamel over time until the deeper layers of the tooth are exposed.

Ignore minor issues.

Brushing or flossing too hard might cause minor discomfort for a day or two, but your mouth should otherwise be pain-free. If you develop a persistent toothache or extreme sensitivity that won't go away, it could indicate an underlying issue. Visiting a dentist will allow you to address minor problems before they turn into significant ones.

Neglect your gums.

It's natural to focus on your teeth when brushing and flossing. After all, that's what other people focus on when you smile. However, you need to consider your gums as well to ensure optimal oral health. Make sure to brush at a 45-degree angle near the top of your teeth, so the flexible bristles can get under your gum line to scrape away plaque. Likewise, floss down to the gums between every tooth.

For quality dental care in Harrisonburg County, VA, turn to All Smiles Harrisonburg. Their friendly dentists are proud to make patients of all ages feel at ease from the moment they enter the office. Specializing in pediatric care and oral surgery, they perform a broad range of procedures at their state-of-the-art facility. Call (540) 432-1300 to schedule an appointment, and view new patient information on their website.