As we’ve covered in past posts, it is vitally important that you visit your dentist at regular intervals, for both a cleaning and check-up. Other than that, though, we understand you have other things to do, possibly even more fun than visiting the dentist!
Keeping that in mind, we’ve compiled some quick tips on how to avoid multiple dental visits whenever possible. Follow these and basic maintenance may be all you’ll ever need.
Learn to Brush Correctly
You expect the wrong brushing technique to be utilized by kids, but you might be surprised at how many adults neglect to brush their teeth correctly. What you want to do is brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums, and make sure that you’re massaging along the gum line. This will help you optimize each brushing session. For a visual on how to do this correctly, go to YouTube and search for videos on “how to brush your teeth.”
Make Sure You Floss
If you’re only brushing your teeth, you’re missing a good amount of the food particles and bacteria that get trapped between them. This is a big reason that people get cavities even though they brush their teeth on a regular basis. If you find that normal dental floss gets stuck in your teeth or can’t go in between them at all, pick up a type (like Glide) that is specifically coated and designed for these situations. Flossing has been shown to greatly reduce the need for dental visits, so this is something you should never avoid.
Follow the 2-2-2 Rule
The 2-2-2 rule is made up of three parts: First, visit your dentist two times a year for a cleaning and check-up. Second, brush and floss your teeth two times a day, once in the morning and once at night before bed. And third, brush for two full minutes each time. If you follow this simple guideline, you won’t find yourself visiting your dentist too often.
Drink Plenty of Water
As we recently covered just a couple of weeks ago, drinking water has a bevy of advantages to a person’s health. In the case of dental health, drinking water helps wash away harmful bacteria that collects on your teeth throughout the day. This keeps bacteria from damaging your teeth, so make sure to grab a glass whenever you’re thirsty!
Wear a Mouth Guard
When playing sports, especially high-contact ones, injuries can happen at a moment’s notice. Chipped and cracked teeth can lead to a dental emergency that will cost you a pretty penny. We would never want you to avoid sports, so we suggest protecting your teeth by wearing a mouth guard. Your teeth will thank you!
Adopt a “Full Disclosure” Policy
When you visit the dentist for one problem — a cavity, for instance — your inclination might be to get out of there as quickly as possible and not inform him or her of a second or third problem. This is a mistake that could send you running back to the dentist’s chair very soon. It’s best to disclose everything during a visit, even if it means staying a little longer or making a follow-up appointment to deal with the new problem.