Let’s brush up on the basics when it comes to caring for your smile. 

Although visiting your Lumberton, NC, dentist, Dr. Colin Osborne, every six months is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, how you care for your smile each and every day from the comfort of your own home makes the biggest impact. Now, it's more important than ever that we are all developing and adhering to a good at-home oral care routine. Here’s what should be in your daily dental care plan:

Brush and Floss Daily 

Brushing and flossing are the two most obvious parts of maintaining good oral hygiene and yet you may be surprised to discover that your skills aren’t exactly up to par. For starters, you need to brush twice a day (morning and night). You also need to floss daily, preferably at night because this removes plaque that has accumulated throughout the day.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste 

Wondering whether you have the best toothpaste for the job? There are a few things to look for the next time you go shopping for toothpaste. First, make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride helps keep teeth strong and prevents cavities. Second, look for the American Dental Association seal of approval, which ensures that the product is both safe and effective.

Ditch Bad Habits

Do you bite your fingernails? Do you smoke cigarettes? Do you grind your teeth when you’re stressed? These are all habits that can have a profound impact on your oral health. Quitting smoking has almost immediate effects on your overall and dental health and can greatly reduce your risk for gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer.

Drink Enough Water 

Water is the best way to flush toxins, food particles, and plaque from teeth and gums. Plus, tap water often contains fluoride, which, as we mentioned above, is great for supporting healthy tooth enamel. Most adults should be drinking at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Active individuals will need to drink more than the recommended daily intake.

Dealing With a Major Issue? Call our Lumberton Office

Now is the perfect time to fill in those gaps in your current dental plan to make sure you are giving your smile what it needs. While our office is currently closed due to Covid-19, our dentist is still providing treatment to patients in Lumberton, NC, who are dealing with extreme dental emergencies (e.g. life-threatening dental swelling; infection; severe injury). If you are dealing with a true emergency, please call us at (910) 738-9396.