You might be surprised how simple everyday habits could determine how healthy your smile is.

What do you do every day to ensure that you have great oral health? Can you easily answer this question or do you have to think long and hard about this? Most people could often benefit from pushing the reset button on their oral care routine to make sure that they are doing everything they can to protect against decay and other issues. Our Galloway, NJ, dentists Dr. Bhavin Patel, Dr. Daniel Ciechanowski and Dr. Walter Finken, Jr. are here to provide some helpful tips for keeping healthier teeth and gums.

• Brush twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes at a time. If you have braces or are a high risk of decay, it’s a good idea to bring a travel kit that contains a toothbrush and toothpaste with you to the office or to school so you can brush between meals.
• Make sure that you use a fluoridated toothpaste, as fluoride is a great way to remineralize enamel and keep it strong. If you are in doubt about what kind of toothpaste to use, look for the ADA seal of approval on the oral products you buy.
• Don’t forget to floss. You only need to floss once a day and yet doing this daily is so important to maintain a healthy, cavity and gum disease-free smile. Remember, your toothbrush won’t be able to thoroughly clean between teeth like floss can. Protect against plaque and tartar by flossing each and every day.
• If you are prone to halitosis (bad breath), decay, dry mouth or other issues then it’s a good idea to talk to our Galloway, NJ, general dentists about whether therapeutic mouthwash could improve your oral health. Commercial mouthwashes often just mask problems and act like perfume for your mouth. Treat the problem rather than hide it with a special mouthwash.
• Visit us every six months for professional cleanings and exams. We can detect oral health issues, monitor potential problems to make sure they don’t get worse, remove surface stains, look for signs of oral cancer and help you determine if braces, cosmetic or restorative dentistry is right for you.

Scheduling your routine cleanings is easy at Seaside Dental Arts in Galloway, NJ. We work with your busy schedule to get you the care you need whenever you need it. Call our office today!