Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
If you’ve been neglecting your dental health for a while, or if busy schedules or dental anxiety has kept you out of your dentist’s chair, we want to assure you that we can always do something to help, and it’s never too late to get your dental health back on track. In fact, our Santa Cruz dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry have countless ways to correct any dental issue you may be having, from irritated gums to tooth decay and missing, crooked or stained teeth.
Here’s one reason we care so much: Most American adults will experience some level of gum disease at some point in their lives. Gum disease begins with a buildup of plaque and tartar and is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults outside of wisdom teeth removal. The buildup of plaque and tartar also leads to tooth decay. If left untreated, both gum disease and tooth decay will only worsen with time, leading to much bigger, and more costly, problems down the road. In fact, studies show that people with gum disease, also called periodontal disease, carry at least double the risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event than people who maintain good oral health.
Routine visits twice a year to your dentist, along with a strong oral hygiene regime at home, are the best preventatives against tooth decay and gum disease. It doesn’t take much time or effort to maintain a healthy smile. If you’re curious about jump-starting a new beginning for your dental habits, or simply brushing-up on routine maintenance, read the following tips from our Scotts Valley family dentists:
Brush your teeth regularly
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it always bears repeating: brushing your teeth for two minutes every morning and night is the best way to prevent gum disease and remove plaque, which leads to cavities. Brushing before sleep with fluoride-containing toothpaste helps prevent bacteria from creating acids that will eat away at your tooth enamel during the night. If you really want to boost your cavity-fighting efforts, brush after lunch, too.
Floss daily
A surprising number of people skip flossing in their daily routine, but it’s one of the most important steps to prevent cavities. It is especially useful after meals and before sleep. While brushing your teeth is fundamental to your oral health, a toothbrush can miss hard-to-reach areas between the teeth. Floss dislodges any particles of food in those spaces, leaving nothing for bacteria to feed on.
Eat a healthy diet
It’s no secret that it’s best for your oral health to refrain from excess sugar in your diet. Bacteria in your mouth love sugar and will feed on any you eat that remains on your teeth during the day and night. Choose dairy products and fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber and promote strong overall physical health, including oral health. Drinking water and even chewing sugar-free gum can help keep your teeth free of food particles and acids.
DENTAL CARE IN LOS GATOS, SCOTTS VALLEY, AND SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
One of the most critical steps to getting your dental health back on track, then maintaining your smile, is to visit the dentist twice a year. During your visit, hygienists will carefully and thoroughly clean your teeth and check for plaque build-up and any beginning cavities. These regular visits go a long way toward preventing cavities from forming and growing on your teeth. If you have dental anxiety, we can help with that, too! Just reach out to us at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry to schedule a friendly consultation. Call us at (831) 824-5111, or contact us online today.
