Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become a bit negligent about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In today’s article, our goal is for you to assess where you stand and consider whether you could step it up a notch. Committing to oral health best practices can prevent future problems and improve your quality of life.
Brushing
Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth effectively after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss correctly before bed.
Dental Checkups
Good: See your dentist if you get a toothache.
Better: See Dr. Kenneth Hovden once a year even if you don’t notice any dental issues.
Best: Twice yearly, have an intensive dental exam and professional dental cleaning at Kenneth Hovden DDS.
A White Smile
Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use a whitening product at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office whitening treatment.
Missing Tooth
Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, sturdy, and natural-functioning dental implant. (Consult with Dr. Hovden to find out if you are a good candidate for an implant.)
Smile-Friendly Nutrition
Good: Eat a healthy diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a nutritious diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, limit sugar-filled foods, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.
For Young Smiles
Good: Never put your baby to bed with a bottle. When your toddler starts drinking from a sippy cup, don’t let them sip juice or milk all day.
Better: Follow the previous advice and schedule his/her first dental checkup before the first birthday.
Best: In addition, talk to Dr. Hovden about dental sealants when your child is young. When your little athlete starts participating in sports, make sure he/she wears a protective mouthguard. Set a good example of daily dental hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices.
At Kenneth Hovden DDS, we are dedicated to the best in dentistry. We invite you to call to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.
Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:
650-755-6000
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015
