What’s stopping you from visiting a dentist’s office in Vestavia Hills, AL? Research reveals that cost is the primary reason why patients cancel dental appointments. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid your dentist forever. Maintaining good oral health is impossible if you take dental visits out of the equation.
You may not appreciate the value of dental visits while your teeth and gums are in great shape, but if you continue to elude, oral diseases will eventually catch up with you, and you’ll have no choice but to pay for costly restorative dental treatments. Taking care of your oral health doesn’t mean you’ll end up broke. Believe it or not, there are cheap ways to keep your mouth healthy.
Cheap Ways to Protect Your Oral Health
#1 Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Plaque is the main reason why cavities and gum disease develops. The goal is to prevent plaque from accumulating, and to do that; you simply need to brush your teeth. Brushing should be done twice daily for two minutes, dividing the time into all four quadrants of your mouth.
The proper way to brush your teeth is to tilt your soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Use gentle back and forth and short strokes, ensuring you don’t miss any spots. You may start with the outer surface, followed by the inner surface of your teeth.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue. With brushing, you’ll only need to invest in a reliable toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. When done daily, you can avoid expensive treatments for oral disease.
#2 Floss and Rinse With a Mouthwash
Although brushing is important, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash is just as necessary to maintain good oral health. These affordable tools are required to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
Dentists recommend you floss each tooth at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, to dislodge bacteria, food debris, and plaque collected between your teeth. Sometimes even the narrow bristles cannot get them out of the tiny creases, which is why you’ll need floss to free your mouth of cavity-causing plaque.
#3 Get Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is an affordable treatment that helps strengthen your teeth. When your teeth are strong and healthy, they can better withstand bacteria that attack the enamel. You can get fluoride from your toothpaste or your dentist.
Dentists usually offer professional fluoride treatments. The fluoride from the dental office is more concentrated than the ones you get from toothpaste and mouthwash. They come in varnish, gel, foam, or rinse form and are applied directly to your teeth through trays, brushes, or swabs.
#4 Visit Your Dentist Regularly
We cannot stress enough that visiting your dentist regularly is one of the best ways to protect your teeth. You may think it’s costly, but if you look at it closely, seeing your dentist for checkups and teeth cleanings will significantly reduce your chances of developing cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth decay, thereby saving you money on restorative dental treatments.
Although brushing and flossing can help loosen plaque, sometimes you need professional help because there are some areas in your mouth that your toothbrush cannot access, which are prone to tartar buildup.
Looking for a Reliable Dentist Office in Vestavia Hills, AL?
You don’t have to break the bank to achieve optimum oral health as long as you are diligent in your oral care routine and make sure you see your dentist for oral exams and cleanings. At Highland Dental Arts, we provide affordable dental treatments tailored to your goals. We will help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Contact us today.