The Ultimate Guide to Good Oral Health


The Ultimate Guide to Good Oral Health

By Wright Smiles

The standard for good hygiene is relatively new; our ancestors had no such general guide to caring for their teeth, and dental care usually consisted of extracting teeth and/or replacing them with primitive restorations. Today, however, science, medicine, and dentistry have provided the knowledge necessary to protect our smiles from aggressive diseases and tooth loss. To help you make the most of all we’ve learned and developed, your Southlake general dentist, Dr. Wright, offers a well-informed guide to good dental health in today’s world.

Don’t Underestimate Your Toothbrush

As one of the oldest and most important tools in the fight against poor dental health, your toothbrush still holds incredible potential. Using it at least twice a day, along with your dental floss, you can largely control the buildup of harmful bacteria that lead to cavities and gum disease. When these germs form plaque and stick to your teeth, your saliva can no longer wash them away naturally. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval on its packaging. Harsh bristles, like those made from natural animal hairs, can strip your teeth of enamel, leaving them vulnerable and defeating the purpose of brushing your teeth in the first place. Toothpaste with fluoride in it can offer additional protection by helping to strengthen tooth enamel.

Eat Healthy for Your Smile and Your Body

A healthy diet has quite a few benefits to your oral health. For one, you’re more likely to control your eating habits, and consequently, limit the amount of nutrients that oral bacteria can convert into toxins and acids. Also, keeping your body healthy helps you maintain a strong immune system, which plays an integral role in combatting oral infections. Minerals that directly help strengthen your teeth and smile include calcium and phosphate, which make up the majority of your tooth enamel’s structure. Drinking plenty of water promotes a healthy flow of saliva to neutralize bacteria when you’re away from your bathroom sink, and refrain from eating or drinking substances loaded with sugar (the main ingredient in bacterial acid production).

Don’t Forget Your Dentist

Aside from waiting until a dental disease becomes obvious, the only way to be sure that your hygiene efforts are working is to periodically visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings, preferably once every six months. Professional care and maintenance is a cornerstone of a healthy smile, and allows Dr. Wright to clean the plaque and tartar from your teeth and along your gum line, as well as inspect your mouth for warning signs of trouble to deal with them early, if need be. Remembering to attend your regular visits can help you avoid complex restorative treatment later on, after the condition has matured and irreversibly damaged your teeth and/or gums.

About Your Southlake General Dentist:        

As a native Texan, Dr. Gregory Wright opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He is happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wright, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.