3 Tips To Improve Your Dental Health

At the Charleston, SC dentist office of Dr. R. Edward Hudgens, we are committed to helping our patients better understand how to properly care for their smiles.

If you have questions about improving your oral hygiene, or want to learn more about how to prevent common dental concerns, please feel free to ask us any and all questions during your upcoming appointment.

Below are three of Dr. Hudgens best dental health tips:

BRUSH & FLOSS

While this may seem like an obvious tip, it is certainly one of the most important ones. Improving your dental health relies on your ability to stick to a strict at-home oral hygiene routine. We recommend that patients brush and floss at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Throughout the day, when brushing your teeth is less convenient, patients can chew on sugar-free gum or rinse their mouth out with water to prevent food residue from sitting too long on their dental structures. Keeping your mouth clean is important not only to your dental health, but to your overall health. Because your mouth is the many entryway to the rest of your body, you want to make sure that your teeth and gums are free from any harmful bacteria.

RECONSIDER YOUR DIET

Your diet has a large impact on your dental health. If you eat a lot of sugary or starchy foods, these are more likely to breakdown into sticky residues that cover your smile. If you indulge in a food that is notoriously tough on your teeth, make sure to follow it up with a thorough brushing and flossing session. Some foods and beverages are more likely to stain your teeth than others. For example, beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine contain powerful staining agents that stick to your smile. This may cause dental discoloration such as yellowing or dulling your smile. We suggest drinking any beverages that may contain staining agents through a straw to prevent dental discoloration. Additionally, if you suffer from jaw pain or tension headaches, you should be advised not to eat excessively crunchy or chewy snacks until your symptoms subside.

SCHEDULE ROUTINE PREVENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Perhaps one of the most important things a person can do for their smile is to schedule routine preventative care appointments with their trusted dentist. We encourage our patients to come see us twice a year for routine preventative care. This allows us to perform thorough dental cleanings and exams to ensure that your smile remains healthy and strong for a lifetime. We would much rather address minor issues as soon as possible before they have the chance to develop into major dental concerns. Dental concerns like tooth decay and gum disease can be easily avoided by scheduling routine cleanings and exams. If it has been over six months since the last time you sat in the dental chair, schedule an appointment with the Charleston, SC dentist office of Dr. R. Edward Hudgens. We look forward to seeing you soon.