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You must have heard time and time again about the importance of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. While you can rely on your dentist for expert advice, preventive care, and the necessary interventions, the key to ensuring optimal oral health is still in your hands.

Below, we’ve prepared a few tips from one of the most trusted dental providers in South Florida—Dr. Ernie Soto—for maintaining the health of your pearly whites and gums at home.

Tips #1 Brush and floss your teeth regularly and properly.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy entails following expert recommendations for good oral hygiene.  Here’s how you should brush and floss your teeth, according to the American Dental Association (ADA):

• Brush regularly. Do it twice a day, for two minutes each time.
• Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush gently to avoid eroding your enamel and injuring your gums.
• Position your toothbrush at a good angle (45 degrees against your gums). Brush your teeth in short, half-tooth-wide strokes while making sure you clean all the surfaces of your teeth: inner, outer, and chewing surfaces. Reach your front teeth’s inner surfaces using the tip of your toothbrush and brush it with an up-and-down stroke.
• Floss once a day. A huge percentage of people don’t floss at all. If you’re one of them, try to smart small and create a routine that sticks. Keep in mind that flossing is crucial for cleaning and dislodging food debris, and it only takes a few minutes.

Tip #2 Eat smart.

Eating more vegetables and fruits are not only beneficial for your overall health, but also for keeping those pearly whites as dazzling as ever.

Incorporating crispy fruits and raw vegetables (e.g., apples, pears, celery, and carrots) into your diet helps keep your teeth clean and freshen your breath: they contain malic acid that works to scrub away plaque and food debris. Moreover, fruits and vegetables brim with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which help you protect your gums and other oral structures from oxidative-stress-induced cell damage and infection.

Tips #3 Quit smoking.

If you still haven’t found enough motivation to quit smoking, this may finally convince you: studies show that smokers are at an increased risk for periodontal disease, a serious infection of the gums that causes them to recede and leads to irreversible complications like bone and tooth loss.

Separate studies show smokers are ten times more likely to develop oral cancer compared to non-smokers.

Tip #4 Visit Dr. Ernie Soto for routine check-ups and cleanings.

To maximize the benefits of your good oral hygiene practices at home, you should see Dr. Soto twice a year for routine cleaning and check-ups. Dental cleaning removes gum-disease-causing plaque and tartar as well as superficial stains that leave your teeth looking unclean and unhealthy. Through routine check-ups, Dr. Soto can identify signs of oral health issues—when they’re highly treatable—and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Renowned Dentist in Plantation, FL

Dr. Ernie Soto has established an excellent reputation spanning more than three decades for the top-notch dental care and unparalleled patient outcomes he provides for people of all ages.

He also offers an array of innovative cosmetic dental procedures—so you can have that Hollywood-worthy smile you once thought only exists on TV!

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Soto, call our dental clinic today at (954) 368-6264, or use our convenient appointment request form. We are eager to provide you with the highest quality of oral health care!