Want to jump-start the health of your teeth?  Are your pearly whites starting to not look so pearly? Here’s some things you can do right now for a mouth that looks and feels fabulous.

• Kick the habit.  Anyone who smokes, knows that they do not need another person in their life explaining to them why they need to quit smoking. As your dentist, we  know the nicotine and tar in cigarettes are not only turning your teeth yellow, but they’re eating away at your gums. Smoking creates a ripe environment for bacteria and plaque on your teeth and along the gum line. This harms the tissue and eventually increases your risk of tooth loss. Tobacco chemicals can also cause mouth sores that could turn into cancer.
• Pay a visit.  If you are prone to ditching the dentist, it turns out you are part of the roughly 50% of adults in the United States who do not see a dentist on a regular basis because of fear, finances, or just not making the time for yourself. Regular trips to the dentist can catch problems such as decay, gum disease, trauma or cancer at an early stage when they are more treatable–and solutions are more affordable.
• Brush right.  Is your brushing technique up to par? Maybe you don’t brush often enough, or worse yet, not at all. It takes only 2-3 minutes to properly clean your teeth and gums. Angle a soft brush at a 45 degrees toward your gum line, and use gentle,circular strokes. Make sure you are not brushing to hard and wearing down your teeth and gums. Plaque is soft, and will brush away easily with light strokes.
• Finesse flossing.  Flossing is fundamental to keeping teeth and gums clean. It is important to do it right, snapping and popping your way through the process probably does more harm than good. Use about 2 inches of floss between your fingers, unroll a fresh section of floss for each tooth, and keep the floss wrapped tightly around your tooth to break up the plaque while leaving your gums in good shape.

Also, keep in mind that sugar has a bad reputation when it comes to your teeth, and for good reason! It fuels the bacteria and acid production in your mouth, causing plaque to form and eat away at your teeth and gums. Your teeth are hit with 20 minutes of acid production for every sugar-fest you indulge in, from sweetened coffee in the morning to that ice cream snack at night.

The solution? It’s all about discipline. To help avoid dental decay; a problem 20 % of people face, cut down on sugar, brush and floss twice a day and don’t forget to schedule your routine dental exam! Together we can keep those pearly whites clean and acids under control!

Your mouth is more than just a pretty smile. It is the gateway to your overall health. Keeping that gateway clean may not only keep you healthier but looking younger too!

” Just as white, straight teeth convey youth, a smile with crooked, discolored, worn or missing teeth is associated with an aged look. The adage “long in the tooth ” is sometimes used to describe older persons and reflects the fact that gum disease causes gums to recede and teeth to appear longer as a result.”  says a professor of restorative dentistry at UCLA’s School of Dentistry.

Keeping a youthful smile comes down to 2 simple, proven, and practical steps:          Brush and floss daily and see your dentist every 6 months.

What’s stopping you? Perhaps some folks just don’t take oral health seriously. However, many people take their looks very seriously. While keeping a beautiful smile is a priority for most, some people may not think about their gums. Brushing takes time and flossing can be a difficult habit for people to acquire. Only 25% of people floss their teeth.

Inflammation, Periodontal Disease. Inflammation can happen when bacteria and debris, such as food particles, enter the blood vessels around the teeth. Inflammation is your body’s response to such invaders. The mouth is one of the major contributors to high levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Then there is periodontal disease, which affects 80% of Americans. It’s caused by extensive bacterial buildup along the gums and teeth. Periodontal disease is the top cause for tooth loss.

Stained teeth. Smoking and drinking, particularly red wine and coffee, can stain your teeth and affect how old you look. Teeth whitening in the dental office has become increasingly popular and a great way to look and feel younger.

Of course you need to do more than brush, floss and see your dentist to stay young. Your entire lifestyle matters. If you want to slow down the aging clock, make sure to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, make time for exercise and keep down your levels of inflammation by taking care of your teeth and gums. The fact remains, there are no shortcuts to getting and staying healthy.