Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become a bit lax about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In this article from OKC Smiles in Oklahoma City, our goal is for you to evaluate where you stand and look at whether you could step it up a notch.
Committing to oral health best practices can prevent future problems and benefit your quality of life.
Brushing
Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth correctly after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss properly before bed.
Dental Checkups
Good: See us if you get a toothache.
Better: See us once a year even if you don’t notice any dental troubles.
Best: Twice-yearly, have an extensive dental exam and professional dental cleaning at OKC Smiles.
A White Smile
Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use a tooth whitening system at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office tooth whitening treatment.
Missing Tooth
Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, durable, and natural-functioning dental implant. (Consult with us to find out if you are a good candidate for an implant.)
Smile-Friendly Nutrition
Good: Eat a nutritious diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a nutritious diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, limit sugar-filled foods, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.
For Young Smiles
Good: Never put your little one to bed with a bottle. When your toddler starts drinking from sippy-cup, don’t let them sip juice or milk all day.
Better: Follow the previous counsel and schedule his/her first dental checkup before the first birthday.
Best: In addition, ask us about dental sealants when your child is young. When your little athlete starts participating in sports, make sure he/she wears a protective mouthguard. Set a good example of daily dental hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices.
At OKC Smiles, we strive for excellence in dentistry every day, and for the best possible dental health for each of our patients. Services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup today!
Contact OKC Smiles:
405-634-7303
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
13900 S Western Ave, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73170
