2022 is swiftly coming to a close, meaning that it is time to prepare for 2023. From preparing your home for the winter season to enjoying the holidays to writing a new list of New Year’s resolutions, this time of year can be busy. This can cause individuals to forget to do certain things, such as caring for their teeth. Luckily, we at Eric Felt Dental offer ways to reduce plaque and keep your mouth healthy in 2023. Keep reading to learn more about how you can reduce plaque growth in your mouth.

What Is Plaque?

Before we can get into how you can reduce plaque, it is important to understand what plaque is. Plaque is the yellowish sticky film that covers your teeth after a day of eating. Made up of bacteria, plaque is constantly forming on your teeth. It is important to remove plaque from your teeth while it is in its slimy state because otherwise, it will harden, which can lead to tooth decay.

How To Reduce Plaque

Brush Your Teeth

The first step to reducing your plaque is to brush your teeth regularly. Plaque production occurs due to food sugars being left on your teeth. So brushing your teeth twice a day ensures that the plaque does not get out of control. Another way to reduce plaque is to brush your teeth after every meal instead of in the morning and night.

Floss

Plaque coats the surface of your teeth, but it can also get in between your teeth. Food can also get in between your teeth, increasing the amount of bacteria and potentially causing cavities. That is why it is important to floss your teeth in addition to brushing them. It is recommended that you floss once a day, typically at night. Using a good mouthwash is also a good idea for getting rid of sugar in hard-to-reach places in your teeth.

Drink A Lot Of Water

Water is exceptionally beneficial for your body for many reasons. Drinking a lot of water keeps your body hydrated, and your skin moisturized and it is also great for your teeth and overall oral health. Drinking water can help remove sugar from your teeth, therefore helping reduce plaque. Consider drinking a glass of water with every meal to immediately decrease the food particles getting stuck to your teeth.

Keep Your Dental Appointments

The last thing on our list of important things to do to reduce plaque on your teeth in 2023 is to keep up with your regular dental appointments. It is recommended that you have dental appointments at least once every six months. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to get in touch with your dentist in order to get it fixed as soon as possible. If you are in need of dental assistance, feel free to reach out to us at Eric Felt Dental.

Avoid Certain Foods

Certain foods can be extremely harmful to your teeth and can lead to increased plaque. A balanced diet improves your health in many ways. Avoiding certain foods can help better your oral health. Examples of foods you should try to avoid or limit to reduce plaque buildup include butter, high-fat cheeses, fatty meets, and refined carbohydrates, like white bread, soda, and candies.

Do You Need Dental Services?

If you are in need of dental services and are living in the Salt Lake City, UT area, we at Eric Felt Dental would love to be your choice. Our team is multi-talented and passionate about helping our clients get their best possible smiles. We have many services available, ranging from emergency dental to pediatric dentistry to cosmetic dental care. If you are looking to get plaque removal services or are in need of any of the previously mentioned services or general dental care, feel free to reach out to us at Eric Felt Dental.

Fall is one of the most beautiful parts of the year in Utah. We enjoy cooler temperatures, lots of fun outdoor and indoor activities, and a beautiful change of scenery as the leaves on the trees shift from green to a wide variety of colors. Fall also has some of the most fun holidays of the year, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. Halloween is especially known for the consumption of sugar and candy. While it’s important to enjoy the holidays, it is also important to take care of your teeth. The following tips will help you enjoy healthy teeth this fall!

Tips For Healthy Teeth This Season

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your candy consumption is put to a minimum. Now, that does not mean that you and your family should not enjoy the holidays and have fun, but it does mean that you should be selective about what candy and sugar you consume. On Halloween, make sure that your kids get their fill of candy but that they take good care of their teeth afterward.

Eat & Drink Healthy

In the fall, there are many yummy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Your body and your mouth is much healthier when you eat foods that are good for you. So when you choose to eat the fresh foods this fall, you will have a smile that is in much better shape. You can also achieve healthy teeth by drinking a lot of water. Water not only helps your body function properly, but it also keeps your mouth clean. Drinking water after eating foods and sugary substances helps maintain and protect your mouth.

Be Aware Of Tooth Sensitivity

Another thing you need to be aware of is that tooth sensitivity can occur with weather changes. The approach of autumn means that temperature changes are also going to happen soon. Tooth sensitivity is not an uncommon problem. In fact, many people experience tooth sensitivity throughout the year, but tooth sensitivity can become more common or more severe during the winter. If you experience severe tooth sensitivity, make sure to see your dentist.

Change Out Your Toothbrush

Every three months or so, you should be switching out your toothbrush. The reason for this is that your toothbrush can get bacteria on it over time as you use it. It can also get worn out and the bristles on your toothbrush can get frayed. Within the three month period of autumn, it is important to change our your toothbrush at least once.

Practice Proper Oral Health Care

As with any other part of the year, healthy teeth in the fall are created by practicing proper oral health care. Make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day, floss once at the end of the day, and visit the dentist on your regularly scheduled appointment days. We at Eric Felt Dental provide excellent oral health care options. If you need a dental appointment, feel free to reach out to us today.

Do You Need Dental Health Services?

If you are living in the Salt Lake City, Utah area and are in need of dental services, we at Eric Felt Dental would be more than happy to help you out. We offer comprehensive dental options from general dentistry to cosmetic dental options to restorative services. With these different options and with the skill and knowledge that our dental team possesses, your teeth will be in great hands. If you need a new dentist or would like to see on of our specialists, feel free to reach out to us at Eric Felt Dental.

For more fall healthy teeth tips, read here.