10 Ways to Keep You Out of the Dentist Chair

1. Clean your mouth every day.
   
2. Be careful what you chew. The wrong things can break something or loosen something.
   
3. Be careful how you eat.  Not eating sugary foods is probably not realistic, but concentrate the time in which you do.  It is far better to eat lots of sugar in a short time frame than it is to eat a little bit but take hours to do so.
   
4. Pay attention to your body. Aches, pains, sensitivities all mean something; talk to your dentist about them.  If you find a bump, a swelling, a sore that isn’t healing, tell us.
   
5. Don’t just fix something when it breaks. Think ahead! Doing so may provide a significant improvement in function and less likelihood of pain. It may cost you less in treatment when planned for and taken care of ahead of time.
   
6. Follow good overall health habits by exercising, eating right, sleeping right, and keeping your weight down.  By doing so you can keep your muscles toned, your posture good and your muscle balance good.  These things provide balance in your life that greatly contributes to higher levels of health.
   
7. Be critical of your sleep habits. If you are always tired, don’t stay asleep at night, fall asleep at inopportune times, you may have a problem that needs to be evaluated.  Sleep apnea is an epidemic in our country that is critical to your health.
   
8. Remember bleeding gums are not natural.  You wouldn’t expect the skin on your arm to bleed if you rub it – your gums shouldn’t either.  Ridding your body of this infection is critical to your health.
   
9. Fixing broken teeth is important to ensure your muscles are kept in balance so your bite does not create more bite imbalances.
   
10. We love seeing each of our patients on a regular basis – let’s make it a scheduled appointment to maximize your dental insurance! Come in for routine cleanings and exams at least once a year. We’ll keep you up to date and out of unexpected trouble with your oral health.