Most people know they should take better care of their teeth but don’t know where to start. Improving dental habits in Dublin, CA begins with understanding which behaviors cause the most harm and how to replace them. Adopting these seven strategies protects your smile while saving you from expensive dental work down the road.
One of them should be regular checkups. Call Valley Dental and Orthodontics at 925-235-1565 to schedule your next one.
Habit One: Perfect Your Brushing Approach
Scrubbing too vigorously harms your gums and wears away enamel faster than gentle cleaning does. Tilt your brush so bristles point toward where teeth meet gums, then move in small circles across each section. Make sure you’re covering every part of every tooth, not just the easy-to-reach front surfaces.
Use your phone’s stopwatch or a two-minute video to guarantee you’re brushing long enough each time.
Habit Two: Make Flossing Non-Negotiable
Brushing alone misses the tight spaces between teeth where plaque builds up and causes most cavities. Guide the floss between each tooth and curve it into a U-shape against one side before moving to the other. Flossing removes bacteria colonies that would otherwise harden into tartar within a day.
Floss holders or water flossers work just as effectively if traditional string floss feels difficult to manage.
Habit Three: Limit Sugary & Acidic Foods
Sugar feeds the bacteria that produce enamel-eroding acids, while acidic foods directly weaken your tooth structure. Read nutrition labels to identify hidden sugars in condiments, bread, and yogurt. When you do consume these items, rinse your mouth with water immediately afterward.
Waiting 30 minutes before brushing after acidic foods prevents scrubbing away softened enamel.
Habit Four: Stop Using Teeth as Tools
Opening bags with your teeth or holding objects in your mouth puts extreme stress on tooth structure. This careless behavior causes chips, cracks, and even complete tooth fractures that require immediate repair. Keep scissors, bottle openers, and other proper tools within easy reach at home and work.
Dental emergencies from misusing your teeth are completely preventable with a moment of forethought.
Habit Five: Protect Against Nighttime Grinding
Unconscious jaw clenching wears down teeth faster than decades of normal chewing would accomplish. Watch for warning signs including jaw stiffness, dull headaches upon waking, or teeth that look shorter than before. A custom-fitted guard absorbs grinding forces and extends the life of your teeth significantly.
Managing stress through exercise or meditation often reduces the frequency and severity of bruxism.
Habit Six: Establish Structured Eating Times
Grazing on snacks all day maintains an acidic environment where cavity-causing bacteria thrive continuously. Eat during specific windows and allow at least two hours between meals for your saliva to remineralize enamel. This simple timing adjustment dramatically reduces your cavity risk without changing what you eat.
Smart snacking choices provide additional protection for your teeth:
- Plain nuts like almonds or walnuts
- Crisp vegetables such as radishes or snap peas
- Hard cheeses including cheddar or Swiss
- Fresh strawberries or melon chunks
Habit Seven: Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Home care alone cannot remove hardened tartar or detect problems developing beneath the surface. Professional cleanings every six months prevent gum disease and cavity formation. Your dentist can also identify early warning signs of issues you wouldn’t notice until they become painful.
Consistent preventive care keeps small issues from turning into root canals or extractions later on.
Take Control of Your Oral Health
Building strong dental habits in Dublin takes commitment, but it delivers lifelong benefits for your smile. Valley Dental and Orthodontics specializes in preventive care and patient education to help you maintain excellent oral health.
Call 925-235-1565 to plan your next appointment. You can also schedule online.
