Don’t Push Your Luck: 13 Tips for a Healthy Mouth

Does the thought of going to the dentist give you the heebie-jeebies worse than anything Friday the 13^th could throw at you? Believe us, we understand. But this Friday the 13^th, we want to let you in on a secret.
The secret – or not so secret – is that preventative dental care can go a long way towards keeping bad oral luck at bay, giving you peace of mind and a beautiful, healthy smile. Here are our 13 tips for making the most of your preventative care:

1. Brush twice daily to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
2. Floss once a day to get 40% of the bacteria you miss by only brushing.
3. Drink plenty of water. Most tap water contains fluoride, which can help protect teeth from plaque and bacteria.
4. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, try using a night guard to help protect your teeth.
5. If you’re an athlete, a custom fitted mouth guard can help protect your teeth from traumatic collisions with other players, equipment and even the ground.
6. Opt for water instead of sugary sports drinks to hydrate during or after exercise.
7. Start early – your child should have their first dental appointment between getting their first tooth and their first birthday.
8. Talk to your dentist about sealants to help protect your child’s teeth from cavities all year long.
9. Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies and limit the sugary snacks you have.
10. Keep your dentist up-to-date on what medications you’re taking to stay ahead of dry mouth and other common side effects.
11. Catching decay early is key to saving as much of your tooth as possible, as well as the hundreds to thousands of dollars major restorative work can cost.
12. Schedule a Smiley O’Riley visit to your child’s school or daycare to make sure the next generation has a great oral health education.
13. And of course, go to the dentist for a cleaning and check-up every six months. Most dental insurances cover preventative care at 100%, and you can always try our relaxation techniques to help ease your tension while in the chair. And bonus, keeping up with your preventative care including regular cleanings can help you save money on restorative work in the long run!

If you follow these tips you can be sure you’ve done what you can to protect your smile. Because when it comes to your teeth, there’s more to keeping them healthy than just luck.