Forming Good Dental Habits

Maintaining a healthy smile depends on what happens between your visits with us. Good home care habits can be established by anyone committed to carving out a few minutes each day. Like regular exercise, consistency is the key to building a healthy habit. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing once a day are the standard for ideal home care.

With so many products on the market today, it can be confusing to sort it out alone. Your hygienist or Dr. Rick Alvarez can help you narrow down the endless options and form a plan with the hygiene tools that fit you and your dental needs. Will an electric toothbrush help you keep your mouth cleaner between professional visits? Would a prescription toothpaste help reduce plaque based on your unique chemistry? Many factors that fit into a plan to maximize the time and effort you put into keeping your smile healthy.

Some patients considered high-risk for dental problems benefit from even more individualized routines. Simple, inexpensive substitutions can transform the environment of your mouth and dramatically reduce disease activity. For example, Xylitol is a naturally-derived sweetener that can minimize cavities in children and adults when used in the right dosages.

At Simply Smiles Family Dental in Republic, MO, we want to help you maintain a healthy smile. If you have any questions on how to keep your smile healthy at home, don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have at your next appointment.