Whether you’re enjoying a meal at home or drinks with friends, all foods and beverages can affect your oral health. If you don’t care for your mouth and schedule professional teeth cleaning, plaque can form and spread bacteria and eventually lead to gingivitis. Here are a few ways  to take care of your teeth and avoid problems in the future.

Brushing & Flossing

Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing are essential to avoiding issues from tooth decay to gingivitis. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that can reach all areas of your mouth for at least two minutes. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle strokes on the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Get a new toothbrush every three or four months; a brush with frayed bristles doesn’t clean well enough. Floss at least once daily between all teeth to eliminate small bits of food and plaque buildup.

Regular Professional Teeth Cleaning

Regular dental exams can prevent disease and functional problems from developing in the mouth. If issues have already begun, a dentist can identify and deal with them before they become painful and expensive. Plus, symptoms from some diseases of the body can show up in the mouth, which the dentist can recognize.

Avoiding Harmful Foods

Certain foods and beverages can erode enamel and stain teeth. For example, sipping sugary drinks like soda over long periods causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acids that erode tooth enamel. Lollipops and hard candies result in constant exposure to sugar, leading to tooth decay. They can also cause broken and chipped teeth.

Citrus fruits offer many healthful benefits, but they can also erode enamel. Coffee and tea can stain teeth, and the sugar that some people add can cause dental problems.

For a healthy smile, visit Charles P. Debbane, DDS, in Hamilton, OH. This practice provides compassionate care and strives for pain-free treatment. Their dentists offer teeth whitening, dental veneers, teeth cleaning, and Invisalign®, as well as tooth extraction and emergency dental care. Call (513) 887-6654 to schedule an appointment, and check out all their services online.