A beautiful smile takes more effort than a trip to the dentist…

At Curtis Couch D.D.S we see countless smiles every year, and many of these come to us in poor condition because our patients are not fully versed in maintaining optimal oral health at home. As we like to say, you only need to brush and floss the teeth you want to keep! Understanding and implementing a high quality oral health routine can make the difference between keeping and losing your teeth, so why chance it? Read on to discover how you can maintain good oral health so you have the best chance of keeping your teeth for life…

The most well-known tips – brush and floss every day…

They are well known yet many people forget or are simply too tired in the evenings or ‘don’t have time’ in their morning routines. You only need an extra two minutes to give your mouth a complete clean with a toothbrush, and even less with dental floss. For best results for brushing and flossing:
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, held at a 45 degree angle.
  • Brush for approximately two minutes, remembering to clean the gums and tongue as well as your teeth.
  • Floss at night, before sleep – this will help remove excess food particles between teeth that can cause significant damage while you sleep.
  • Floss between all your teeth, even if you cannot feel anything between them – you can be surprised
how much food debris can be stuck in your teeth without you noticing!

If you enjoy chewing gum, make it sugar-free…

Chewing sugar-free gum helps to stimulate saliva flow, which means you are actively helping to wash away any food particles left behind in the mouth. More saliva also means more protection against harmful bacteria that can otherwise cause tooth decay or periodontal disease, which means if you like to chew – keep it sugar-free! No sugar means no stimulation of this harmful bacteria, so you are helping to shield your smile without simultaneously damaging it!

Stay away from alcohol…

Lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes actively cause damage to your teeth. Not only do cigarettes stain your smile, they also significantly increase your risk of periodontal disease and mouth cancer! If you are concerned about the health of your smile, not to mention your overall body, keep away from the cigarettes! Other foods/drinks that can stain your smile include:
  • Red wine
  • Tea
  • Soft drinks such as cola
  • Chocolate
To keep your smile healthy and white, be sure to consume the above in small portions to ensure your smile stays beautiful.

Keep your dental appointments!

At Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks, we are committed to your oral health, but can only ensure the health of your mouth if you visit us! We recommend coming in twice a year for a full assessment so we can protect the integrity of your smile. Give us the best chance at giving you the best smile possible so you can show off your teeth with confidence. At Curtis Couch D.D.S we offer a wide range of treatments so you can achieve the smiles of your dreams while maintaining the health of your mouth. To discover more about keeping your mouth healthy and beautiful, or to book an appointment at our Thousand Oaks dental practice, please do not hesitate to contact us.