Caring for your teeth does not have to be complicated. All the tasks involved in proper oral care are straightforward. If you consistently follow a few best practices, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy for the long-run.

Make every day count

When it comes to taking care of your teeth, every day counts. If decay is allowed to set in the only way to stop it from worsening is with professional help. Decay is a progressive problem that will continue to deteriorate your teeth until you take action. The same is true when it comes to gum disease. The early stage is typically easy to reverse and will not cause any permanent issues. However, if you allow gum disease to worsen by neglecting your oral health it can lead to serious, and permanent damage. In order to protect the health of your teeth and gums it is important to make every day count. No one is perfect – there may be days when you skip part of your oral care routine. Do your best to make those days the exception and not the rule.

Brush regularly and properly

Brushing is the most basic of the oral care tasks you should be doing regularly. Most people are introduced to brushing as children – often before they’re old enough to talk. The familiarity level that many people have with brushing can cause it to seem mundane, and possibly, unimportant. If you have become complacent with your brushing efforts, it is time to take a fresh look at the importance of brushing. Brushing twice per day removes food particles and bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing also helps minimize surface staining and eliminate bad breath. The benefits of brushing regularly and properly are important for both the short and long-term.

Turn flossing into a priority

Of all the oral care tasks, flossing is one of the most neglected. It takes more time to floss because you need to get in between each of your teeth to enjoy the full benefit of the tasks. When you’re tired at night or rushing in the morning the couple of extra minutes needed to floss can fell like a big sacrifice. The reality is that flossing is an important part of caring properly for your teeth. Those extra minutes it takes to floss will provide you with an extra layer of protection against both decay and gum disease.

Schedule and show up to routine dental appointments

Routine dental appointments are part of the best practices when it comes to caring for your teeth. During these visits your teeth get a thorough cleaning that includes removing tartar. In addition, at some appointments you will receive x-rays along with an examination from the dentist. Routine dental appointments help you catch developing issues before they turn into painful or permanent problems.

Make every day count when it comes to caring for your teeth by brushing regularly and properly and by turning flossing into a priority. Add in routine dental visits and you will have a strong foundation of protection for your overall oral health.