** Ensure you come in for regular checkups and professional dental cleanings.
** Break the bad habit of biting on hard items like pens, ice, hard candies or popcorn kernels. Your teeth are meant for chewing soft foods. These habits can lead to chipped or broken teeth. They may also damage fillings, crowns or other restorations.
** Be sure to protect teeth with a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
** Try to stop smoking and using chewing tobacco. While the problem with tooth staining is bad enough, these habits can lead to gum disease, or worse, oral cancer.
** Watch what you eat. It is not only good for your waistline, it’s good for your teeth. Starchy foods are as bad as sugary ones. Instead snack on raw veggies, nuts, and cheeses.
**Cut back on coffee or tea. Excessive amounts of these beverages can stain teeth.
** Be sure to brush and floss regularly. If you’re not sure you’re doing it right, ask us at your next visit. But be gentle-do not brush your teeth and gums too roughly.
** Remember to change your toothbrush every three months.
** Do not ignore the early signs of gum disease: bleeding gums, tender, puffy, or red gums; receding gums (pulling away from teeth), chronic bad breath, changes in bite, loose permanent teeth.
**TAKE PROPER CARE OF YOUR TEETH SO THEY LAST YOU A LIFETIME!