443 Joaquin Ave | San Leandro, CA 94577

Cosmetic Dentist Stephen J Moy D.M.D. | Dentist In San Leandro, CA

10 Tips to Make Your Dental Work LAST!

 

Oral HealthIf you have utilized dental work for a highly decayed tooth or to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile, it’s understandable that you want to see that work last for as long as possible. From crowns to dental implants to dental bridges, these are vital to making your smile as physically appealing as possible. Here are some tips from our San Leandro cosmetic dentistry family on how you can maintain your dental work for many years to come.

 

1. Take Care of Your Teeth.

When it comes to this advice, the simplest steps are the best. Brush at least twice per day and floss at least once to maintain healthy, strong teeth.
 

2. Don’t Chew on Hard Substances

While you can certainly chew foods you were meant to with dental work, don’t chew items like ice and hard candy. These can be too hard on your dental work and lead to cracking or damage.
 

3. Wear a Mouthpiece With Physical Activity

If you are a weekend warrior engaging in basketball, football or any other sport with possible contact, wear a protective mouthpiece. This can prevent veneers, crowns and other dental work from becoming damaged.
 

4. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Cutting Tools

Your teeth aren’t meant to cut string, tear open packages, open bobby pins, etc. While this list could go on and on, remember to use your teeth for what they were intended: chewing and speaking, and you can avoid damage.
 

5. Wear a Mouthpiece If You Grind Your Teeth

If you regularly wake up with jaw pain and stiffness, chances are you grind your teeth at night. When you grind your teeth, you can weaken dental work and increase its chances for cracking or breaking down. We can create a custom mouthpiece at our San Leandro dentist’s office to ensure you do not injure your teeth.
 

6. Eat a Healthy Diet

Your body takes the vitamins, nutrients and minerals and turns them into healthy bones, tissues and teeth. Examples include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.
 

7. Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Using a hard-bristled toothbrush can be difficult on dental work and especially hard on your natural dental enamel. The too-hard bristles can also irritate your gums. To avoid these effects, use a soft-bristled brush instead.
 

8. Avoid Eating Excess Sugar

Bacteria love to feed on extra sugar. If you have too much in your diet, bacteria that produce acids will start to build up and break down your protective tooth enamel. This means avoiding sugary sodas and candies to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
 

9. Avoid Tooth-Staining Foods

If you have dental work, such as crowns or dental implants, the work itself may not stain, but your surrounding teeth can. This affects the appearance of your dental work by making it stand out more noticeably. To avoid this effect, skip tooth-staining foods, such as red wine, coffee, tea, blackberries or blueberries.
 

10. Don’t Smoke

Smoking is highly damaging to your teeth and the rest of your body. Smoking especially damages your gums, which can lead to tooth loss and affect the stability of your dental work. To avoid these effects, refrain from smoking and using chewing tobacco.
 

Call Moy Dental For Additional Tips

For more information on dental services provided at Moy Dental or for additional tips on making your dental work last as long as possible, please call our San Leandro cosmetic dentist office at (510) 351-4030.
 

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