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.
