Please Your Dentist by Adhering to These Tips

Are you tired of getting the "lecture" from your dentist every time you go in for an appointment? It's a common joke in stand up comedy to make light of bleeding gums when a hygienist is poking the soft flesh with a sharp utensil, but the fact is that gums aren't supposed to bleed in that situation. If they do, it probably means you have some degree of gingivitis. And that is only one of many problems that can arise when you don't take your oral health as seriously as you should. If you want to stop getting a disapproving gaze every time you sit in the dental chair, here are some tips that can turn it around.

Stop Snacking

If you want to have some snacks through the day, there's certainly nothing wrong with that, as long as they are tooth-friendly snacks such as vegetables and fruit. If you snack on sugary snacks throughout the day, not only will you be contributing to your own obesity, you will be doing damage to your teeth. Any dentist will tell you that the bacteria that grows out of this persistent sugar is one of the most detrimental things for your enamel and is the source of most cavities.

Reduce Bacteria

The best way to reduce the bacteria that forms in your mouth and causes tooth decay is to brush and floss twice a day. Once in the morning and once before bed should be adequate, although there is something to be said for brushing after every meal. Don't neglect the power of dental floss. It's a lot simpler on your dental regimen to just brush and be done with it, but a toothbrush can't do much for the food that gets trapped in between the teeth. This food just sits there, often times, decaying and causing the enamel to weaken. It's very easy to get a cavity in this way.

Fluoride

Much has been made by conspiracy theorists about the evils of fluoride being added to the drinking supply. It is notable, however, that not a single prominent dentist has come out against this practice. Tooth decay rates plummeted when the first fluoride-added water supplies hit the populace. If you live in an area where the water is not fluoridated, you should be using a toothpaste and a mouthwash that provides it. Fluoride causes your teeth to harden, giving you extra protection against the acids found in plaque.