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5 Tips For Good Oral Health And A Confident Smile

Here are five tips to help you maintain good oral health and a confident smile, from Dr. Liany Farinas-Han, D.M.D., of Smiles by Bergen Dental.

1. Schedule Regular Professional Cleanings and Exams

Routine dental cleanings and exams are the foundation of good oral hygiene. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers can miss spots, leading to plaque and tartar buildup that only professional cleanings can remove. Visiting your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams allows for a deep clean and thorough check-up, ensuring potential issues are caught early. During these visits, your dentist will assess your gums, check for cavities, examine your bite and bone levels and conduct an oral cancer screening.

2. Be Proactive—Dental Problems Don’t Fix Themselves

If there’s one rule of thumb to remember, it’s this: in dentistry, things don’t improve on their own. Small issues can escalate into larger problems if left unchecked. The “domino effect” is real; for instance, losing one tooth can lead to bone loss and shifting of surrounding teeth, affecting your bite and potentially resulting in further tooth loss. A cavity on a tooth does not need to turn into a root canal. By addressing issues early, you can stop small dental problems from turning into large ones.

3. Unhappy with Your Smile? Take Action!

Your smile is a big part of your self-confidence, and if you’re not satisfied with it, there are solutions. Modern dentistry offers numerous options for a smile makeover, including teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, implants and orthodontics. The best first step is to have an open conversation with your dentist about what you envision, any limitations, and what’s realistically achievable for you. A good dentist will help guide you through your options, ensuring your expectations align with what’s possible for your smile and overall oral health.

It’s important to play an active role in your smile makeover journey, as it’s a highly personal process. Remember, a beautiful smile isn’t just about appearances; studies show that smiling more can boost your mood, make you more approachable, and even increase your overall satisfaction with life.

The Smiles by Bergen Dental dental team.

4. Good Alignment and a Healthy Bite for Tooth Longevity

Having straight teeth and a properly aligned bite is about more than just aesthetics; it’s key to the longevity of your teeth. Misaligned teeth and an improper bite can create uneven wear, making certain teeth work harder than others. This can lead to premature tooth wear. Orthodontics isn’t just for kids; many adults are now choosing options like braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, to straighten their teeth and improve their bite. A healthy bite means that pressure is distributed evenly across your teeth, reducing the risk of fractures or wear. By prioritizing good alignment, you’re taking an essential step toward keeping your teeth strong and stable for life.

5. Ignore the Denture Myth

There was a time when it was considered likely that you would lose all your teeth and rely on dentures in old age. However, advances in dental care, technology, and knowledge about preventive practices mean that tooth loss in later life is no longer inevitable. By following a dental care routine as described in this article, you will have every chance of keeping your teeth healthy well into your senior years.

If you have questions about your oral health, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental at one of their three offices in Emerson, (201) 261-3364, info@sbbdemerson.com, Midland Park (201) 444-3049, info@smilesbybergendental.com, or Dumont (201) 384-2112, info@sbbddumont.com.