subject: Preventative Dental Care - Your Key To A Healthy, Glowing Smile [print this page] Dr. Luis Loweree, your dentist in El Paso, stresses prevention and employs various medications and treatments to prevent and control gum disease. Taking good care of your mouth - teeth and gums - does more than help ensure you have a bright, white smile. A healthy mouth and healthy body go hand-in-hand. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. To establish a healthy mouth and a healthy you, prevention is key. By brushing and flossing your teeth every day, in addition to visiting Dr. Loweree, your El Paso dentist, you can help maintain a smile that lasts.
Do You Brush Twice a Day?
Brushing is one of the most effective methods for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Removing the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids. Most dentists agree that brushing three times a day is the minimum. If you use fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed at night, you can often get away without using toothpaste during the middle of the day. A simple brushing with plain water or rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch will generally do the job. Since everyone's teeth are different, it is important to visit Dr. Loweree, your El Paso, TX dentist, first before choosing a brushing technique.
Don't Forget to Floss!
Flossing is an important method used for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a thin piece of synthetic cord that is inserted and moved up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. Many dentists believe that flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque.
Daily flossing is an excellent and proven method for complementing your brushing routine and helping to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other dental problems later in life. Be sure to floss at least once a day - typically in the evening. Like brushing, flossing should take about three minutes and can easily be done while doing another activity, such as watching television.
Maintain a Proper Diet
Total health is greatly influenced by the foods that we eat. In order to eat properly for your overall health, your diet should include foods in healthy amounts from the five main food groups of: Meat, dairy, whole grain, vegetables, and fruits. In order to avoid trouble with your dental health, follow these simple steps:
*Do not allow sugar to remain in your mouth for extended periods of time
*Soda, chewing gum, and hard candies should also be avoided
*Daily snacks should be limited
*Sugary foods consumed with meals will cause less harm, as your saliva production is higher during meals, which allows food particles to be washed away more easily.
The health of your gums, as well as your bones, is also quite dependent on a nutritious, balanced diet. Your gums and the surrounding soft tissue need Folic Acid, which is found in broccoli and spinach, B12 (found in meat and dairy), and vitamin C (found in leafy vegetables, citrus juices and fruits, and potatoes).
Contact Dr. Loweree, your El Paso dentist, for more information on proper nutrition, brushing and flossing for increased preventative care.
