Taking care of your oral health has never been more important because we now understand that oral health is directly related to overall health and well-being. This is because periodontal disease has been linked with other health concerns in the body such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Excellent oral health begins at home, and there are some common mistakes we like to help our patients avoid when it comes to their oral health. Dr. Kaplansky, your premiere dentist in Lockport shares tips on how to avoid common dental care mistakes.

Use Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques

Did you know that how you brush and floss your teeth is just as important as how often? You can actually remove more plaque buildup when you use correct techniques, and our hygienists are happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques when you come for your six-month cleaning. Switching to an electric toothbrush can also help improve your brushing technique as the brush does most of the hard work for you.

Don’t Skip Your Dental Appointments

Because we understand how oral health affects overall health, it’s very important that we see you every six months for cleanings and checkup appointments. During these visits, we screen you for oral health issues such as periodontal (gum) disease, oral cancer, and tooth decay. These issues are much more successfully treated with less invasive treatment in their early stages. Prevention is truly the key to achieving optimum oral health, and your regular cleaning and checkups are the key to prevention.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

We hear this all the time for our overall health, but did you know that eating fruits and veggies also benefits your oral health? This is because they actually neutralize the acids in your mouth that cause cavities. They also help to increase saliva flow, which washes away bacteria and food debris from your mouth. Remember to reach for fruits or veggies when it’s snack time.

These are just a few helpful tips to maintain your oral health. Be sure to call us and schedule your next cleaning and checkup – your health is too important to ignore!