Top Oral Health Resources

Your health depends on your efforts. What you put into your healthcare informs the results that you reap. For this reason, we encourage all our patients to get better acquainted with their oral health. By learning more about how to maintain healthy teeth, how to care for them, and how you’ll benefit from your robust smile, you’ll get much more excited about caring for your teeth (and we know that may sound impossible to some of you). Read on for some ways you can take action and become an invested part of your oral health.

Schedule Regular Dental Exams in Dalton

Okay, so we’re starting with the most obvious step, but it’s also the most important. Only regular dental exams will allow you to catch problems in their earliest stages. If you have gingivitis, cavities, or other oral disease, Dr. Barton will spot signs and begin treatment. At your exams, you also have a chance to learn more about just how effective your oral hygiene is, and whether you may need to tweak your regimen. You should check in with Dr. Barton about every 6 months, although this interval differs from patient to patient (don’t worry, we’ll let you know how often to schedule).

Visit Dental Websites

“Dental websites” may not sound super exciting, but they’ve got some wonderful patient education pages. A few excellent ones include:

• Colgate – Colgate’s website is filled with helpful information, ranging from guides to preventive care to details on restorative and cosmetic treatments.
• Mouth Healthy – The American Dental Association’s patient portal has glossaries of terms, updates on current dental research, and descriptions of treatments.
• Crest – This kid-friendly patient education site will help you get your children into dental care.

Get the Right Dental Products

The right dental products are ones that work well, make you happy, and are comfortable to use. Some patients who are hesitant to clean their teeth switch to a new flavor or brand, and find that they suddenly enjoy time spent on their teeth. If you’re not satisfied with your toothbrush, toothpaste, or mouthwash, consider making a change. You may also be better-suited to a certain type of product, like one that contains fluoride (for sensitive teeth/weak enamel). Talk to Dr. Barton for product suggestions and personalized recommendations.

Adopt a Tooth-Healthy Diet

The things you expose your teeth to each day leave lasting imprints on your oral health. Because many of us have repetitive eating habits, certain foods and drinks make appearances again and again. If they’re damaging to your teeth, they could be the culprits behind repeated instances of decay. Try to shift your diet in the following directions:

• Drink more water. Water is the best. It’s great for the body and for the mouth. When you drink water, you wash away food particles and potentially harmful acids. When you substitute water for sugary or carbonated drinks, you’re making the best possible choice. And you’ll feel better for it!
• Eat more dairy. Yogurt, cheese, and milk contain calcium to strengthen teeth and bones. Cheese and yogurt also help to restore a healthy pH to the mouth, neutralizing acids.
• Snack on nuts and fresh vegetables. These treats are better for your teeth than others, and can have a cleansing effect by scrubbing away food particles and bacteria.
• Brush or rinse after eating. Brushing after eating is the best way to get rid of harmful particles – but wait 30 minutes if you’ve been eating or drinking something acidic. If you can’t brush, rinse your mouth with water.

Ready to take control of your oral health? Schedule your next appointment today!

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