It’s almost March 20th, and that means……Happy World Oral Health Day from all of us at Bright Star Dental!
We want all of our friends in Las Cruces, NM and the surrounding area to remember that we are here for you and your family, no matter what your dental needs are. Your best oral health starts with good habits. That’s why, today, we’re sharing four of our best habits for a healthy smile!
Studies in the last decade suggest that it can take up to 66 days for behaviors to become habits. That may seem like a really long time, and perhaps it is. But fortunately, the habits we’re recommending today are easy to incorporate into anyone’s lifestyle. In fact, you’ve probably already adopted some of them into your daily routine. Let’s take a look!
- Brush & Floss Daily
-The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft bristle toothbrush. Make sure it’s a toothbrush that contains fluoride to strengthen your enamel AND one that has the ADA seal of approval!
You should floss once a day to remove food particles and prevent plaque and tartar buildup. This is an important component in protecting yourself from the potentially serious health risks of gum disease.
- Wash Your Car(i)es Away
One of the best ways to protect yourself against cavities, also referred to as dental caries, is to rinse your mouth with water between meals. This is a great way to clear away food particles and debris during the day when brushing your teeth isn’t a practical option.
If rinsing your mouth after meals isn’t practical for your schedule either, chewing sugarless gum is a great back-up plan!
- Eat, Drink, And Be Merry
Proper nutrition is not only great for your overall health, but it’s a great defense against gum disease. Snacks like celery and apples are helpful in cleaning your mouth throughout the day thanks to their nutrients and their crunch value.
Also remember to eat calcium rich foods like cheese and yogurt, drink milk and fluoridated water, and avoid sugary foods and beverages.
Another surprising factor in good oral health is how you manage your stress levels. Chronic stress can put you at increased risk of gum disease and infections in general. Do what you can to properly deal with the stress of your daily life.
Some simple ways to deal with stress include going for a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, listening to soothing music during your lunch break, or doing some light stretching or yoga first thing in the morning to clear your head and ease into the day.
- Visit Bright Star Dental!
We’ve been serving the Las Cruces, NM community for nearly thirty years, and we’d like to invite you to become part of our dental family. Trust our experienced, caring team of professionals for your healthy, beautiful smile.
We recommend that you schedule at least two routine checkups with us a year. It’s the best line of defense, outside of your normal oral hygiene practices at home, in preventing such oral health risks as gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, and tooth loss.
Have you avoided going to the dentist because of dental anxiety? At Bright Star Dental, there is no reason to be afraid! We go out of our way to make sure your time in our office is as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Dr. Gilbert and our skilled hygienists will do all we can to make you feel at ease. Ask us about our sedation options!
You can expect longer appointment times so we can give you a thorough cleaning and exam to make sure you’re on the right track for a healthy smile. We also want to take the time to sit down and discuss with you any fears or concerns you may have about your smile, your health, or possible treatments Dr. Gilbert may recommend for you.
Whether you’re looking to simply maintain your lovely smile or wanting to learn more about ways to improve the appearance of your smile, our compassionate, skilled team is ready to take care of your dental needs. Won’t you give us a call and see what we can do for you?
Schedule an appointment by calling 575-680-1084 or by filling out our convenient online form. Celebrate World Oral Health Day by visiting us for your next dental checkup!