The American Dental Association’s general oral care recommendations include brushing twice a day, regular dentist visits, and flossing daily but there's more that can be done to maintain optimal oral health. There’s no better time than October’s National Dental Hygiene Month to start good habits like choosing or avoiding certain foods, proper dental care, and selecting the right product, which can make a big difference in achieving that megawatt smile.
Dr. Jeferson Santos, DDS, shares his advice in honor of this entire month dedicated to promoting healthy mouths, gums, and teeth. Dr. Santos is passionate about promoting effective oral care and helping his patients fight cavity-causing bacteria and bad breath that can be a result of poor habits.
“Practicing good oral care every day can be incredibly rewarding both physically and mentally,” says Dr. Santos. “Maintaining healthy oral habits not only prevents gum disease, tooth decay, and other maladies but it can promote a beautiful smile and fresh breath to boost confidence to take on the day.”
Dr. Santos recommends these five easy-to-follow tips:
1. Brush three times a day: Most people are great about brushing in the morning and before bed but skip out on the afternoon session. Consider packing a travel toothbrush and floss for that after lunchtime trip to the restroom.
2. Drink plenty of water: Good old-fashioned H2O does wonders for the body, including the mouth! Staying hydrated helps to reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
3. Eat fruit: Consider adding oranges, melons, or berries to your diet. They are high in vitamins such as A, B, C, and E which help to prevent gingivitis and gum disease.
4. Cut Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol increases dry mouth resulting in more cavity-causing bacteria. Cut back on the strong drinks and try a no-alcohol mouth rinse like TheraBreath’s Invigorating Icy Mint, which uses the power of oxygen to target bad breath-causing bacteria.
5. Avoid e-cigarettes and smoking: Nicotine is responsible for a number of oral health issues, including bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease, and significantly heightens the risk of periodontal disease by increasing the pocket depth of the gums.
About Dr. Jeferson Santos, DDS: Dr. Santos is a dentist at Eco-Friendly Dentistry, based in Chicago, Illinois. Santos was educated at UCLA School of Dentistry and Universidade Ibirapuera for certification in Implantology and other injectables. Dr. Jeff makes sure to stay current with the latest technology and techniques to ensure the highest level of care.
