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There’s more to the journey towards keeping your teeth healthy than just brushing and flossing. Yes, biannual dental checkups walk you down the next mile. But if you want to reach the finish line and keep your natural teeth for the rest of your life, you need to treat them with the same care you give to the rest of your body. The Woodcrest, CA family dentists at Dental Associates of Riverside have seen damage as a direct result of poor habits. We’d like to remind you what not to do if you want to protect your smile.

Don’t Chew on Hard Objects

Most food items are safe to chew if you take it slow and careful. Be aware of “old maids,” those un-popped or half-popped kernels of popcorn in the bag. They are incredibly hard and have caused a great many tooth cracks throughout dental history. Beware of the bad habit of biting on pens, pencils, caps, or anything made out of unyielding materials. You could permanently damage your tooth enamel with one gnaw or nibble at just the wrong spot. Tooth enamel is the strongest compound in your body, but it is not infallible. If you abuse your teeth by cracking walnuts, opening bottles and packages, or any of the other mentioned misuses, cracks or chips are very possible in your future.

Stick to Strict Oral Hygiene

Our dental team understands that you probably have an incredibly busy life. Prioritizing your oral healthcare is worthy of your schedule, however. Dental checkups and dental cleanings should happen on a schedule of every six months. We will examine you for potential dental issues with our advanced diagnostic technology. Included in your cleaning and checkup will be an examination of jawbone density and an oral cancer screening. All that is left to do between checkups is brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. If you get into the bad habits of skipping oral hygiene or doing half a job, you may end up needing dental fillings or other restorative procedures to stop infection.

Dental Cleanings from Woodcrest, CA Family Dentist

For questions or to schedule an appointment for cosmetic, general, or restorative dentistry, contact our Riverside dentist office at (951) 369-1001.