Our Location:
Nashua Smile Makers
Nashua, NH 03060
Call For Financing OptionsFind answers and other helpful dental topics in our digital library.
Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2020
- March (5)
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
- You Don't Have to Live With Uncomfortable Cracked Mouth Corners
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
Tags
- pediatric dentistry (13)
- celebrity smiles (74)
- orthodontics (10)
- palatal expanders (2)
- braces (8)
- veneers (9)
- prepless veneers (1)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- dental injury (7)
- porcelain veneers (8)
- snoring (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- oral health (23)
- Oral Hygiene (26)
- Dentist (1)
- Nashua (3)
- diabetes (1)
- sealants (3)
- herbal remedy (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (19)
- missing tooth (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (4)
- nutrition (5)
- bridge (1)
- tooth pain (4)
- root canal treatment (4)
- dental implants (19)
- osteoporosis (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- crown (1)
- fluoride (3)
- social media (1)
- gum disease (11)
- laser dentistry (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- dental injuries (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- Cosmetic Dentist (1)
- mouthrinse (1)
- root resorption (1)
- root canal (2)
- TMD (1)
- TMJ (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- Sugar (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- TADs (1)
- wisdom teeth (7)
- gummy smile (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- dentures (3)
- chipped teeth (1)
- Flossing (2)
- orthodontic treatment (16)
- tooth grinding (1)
- frenectomy (1)
- crowns (4)
- oral cancer (3)
- tobacco (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- tooth decay (4)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- Family Dentist (2)
- smoking (2)
- seniors (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- geographic tongue (1)
- bone grafting (3)
- bad breath (2)
- clear aligners (2)
- chipped tooth (3)
- x-rays (2)
- bonding (1)
- headgear (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- adult braces (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- medicine (1)
- bone loss (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- Dental Bonding (1)
- Dental Repair (1)
- teething (2)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- periodontal disease (2)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- x-ray (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- toothache (2)
- eating disorder (1)
- retainer (1)
- Family Dentistry (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- Filling (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- Implants (1)
- Dental Cavity (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- retainers (1)
Categories:
Laying out goals for the New Year is a great way to inspire yourself to make positive changes that can improve your health. For example, many habits—both good and bad—affect the health of your teeth and gums. Here’s a list of risky habits to kick, and mouth-healthy habits to adopt:
Habits That Risk Oral Health
Smoking. As if oral cancer weren’t enough to worry about, smoking also promotes gum disease and tooth loss. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, smokers have double the risk of gum disease compared to nonsmokers. And according to the Academy of General Dentistry, smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as nonsmokers. For help quitting, visit smokefree.gov.
Snacking. Nibbling all day can create the perfect conditions for tooth decay—especially if your snacks contain sugar and other carbohydrates. Sticky snacks like cookies, crackers, chips and candy bars that cling to teeth tend to remain in the mouth and attract decay-causing oral bacteria. The acid these bacteria produce can penetrate the enamel of your teeth, causing cavities.
Soft Drinks. Speaking of tooth-eroding acid, soft drinks have plenty of it. And this includes both regular and diet varieties of soda, sweetened iced tea, sports drinks and so-called energy drinks. The healthiest drink for your teeth is water!
Mouth-Healthy Habits
Brushing. You probably brush your teeth every day already, but are you doing it correctly? To get the most benefit from this healthy habit, brush twice each day for a full two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with toothpaste that contains fluoride, and don’t scrub too harshly!
Flossing. Yes, it’s worth the effort! If you don’t floss, you’ll miss cleaning about 40% of your tooth surfaces. A toothbrush just can’t reach in between teeth, where decay-causing dental plaque can hide. If you find dental floss difficult to work with, try using disposable floss holders.
Regular Dental Checkups. Keep up a regular schedule of professional teeth cleanings and exams! This allows us to remove any hardened dental plaque (tartar) that has built up on your teeth, screen you for oral cancer, and treat minor dental problems before they become major ones. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to review your at-home oral hygiene.
If you have any questions about how to improve your oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “10 Tips for Daily Oral Care at Home” and “10 Tips to Help You Stop Smoking.”
