16 Preventive Dentistry Tips to Help You Keep a Healthy Smile

You know the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? It applies to your teeth, too. Using preventive dentistry techniques and treatments both at home and from a dental care provider can play a big part in making sure your smile is healthy, strong and problem-free.

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry includes any treatment or technique that helps prevent tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. It can include anything from developing healthy oral care habits like brushing and flossing at home to in-office treatments like sealants or fluoride treatments, which can all work in conjunction to help protect and strengthen your teeth and lower the risk of dental health problems.¹

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry treatments and routines both at home and from a dental care provider can offer a number of health and cosmetic benefits for your teeth, including:²

• Building healthy oral care habits
• A healthier smile
• Preventing tooth decay
• Preventing tooth loss
• Preventing gum disease
• Preventing oral cancer
• Preventing halitosis
• Reducing the risk of dental issues from chronic illness like diabetes, osteoporosis or eating disorders³
• Reducing the risk of health conditions linked to poor oral health like cardiovascular disease, pneumonia or birth complications³

Preventive Dentistry Tips to Try

Ready for a healthier smile? See which of these preventive dental tips you already do, and then consider adding a few new ones for an even better oral healthcare routine.

1. Bump up brushing to twice a day

If you're only averaging a once-a-day brushing habit, it's time to step it up to two. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), research has found that brushing twice a day — with a fluoride toothpaste — is optimal for reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.⁴

2. Skip the post-brushing rinse

As the final step of your brushing routine, spit, but don't rinse. By not rinsing your mouth after brushing, you allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to remain on your teeth longer and have more of a protective and preventive benefit.¹

3. Don't brush right after eating

While it may be your habit to brush right after your morning meal, research suggests you might want to hold off — especially if you've had something acidic like fruit, coffee or bread products.⁵ Acidic foods can weaken the enamel of your teeth, making brushing right after eating acidic foods more of a hurt than a help to your oral hygiene routine.⁶ Wait at least 30 minutes after eating to allow your teeth to remineralize before you brush.⁶

4. Go electric

Traditional manual toothbrushes are affordable and don't require charging, but electric toothbrushes win when it comes to oral hygiene. Electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing residual food and plaque from your teeth, which decreases your risk of tooth decay or gum disease.⁷

5. Replace your toothbrush regularly

Can't remember the last time you changed your toothbrush? Then it's probably time. Whether you use a manual toothbrush or an electric one, worn or frayed bristles are less effective at cleaning your teeth — even if you are brushing twice a day. The ADA recommends replacing manual toothbrushes or the heads of electric toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if you notice signs of wear.⁸

6. Pair brushing with flossing

Brushing is an important step of oral hygiene, but brushing alone only cleans about 60% of a tooth's surface. To up its effectiveness, pair brushing with cleaning between the teeth using floss or an interdental brush to help remove food particles and buildup between the teeth.¹

7. Try fluoride treatments

If you're looking to take steps to prevent cavities or tooth decay, consider opting for a fluoride treatment at your next dental visit. Fluoride helps make the tooth's surface stronger and more resistant to decay. A dentist may apply a fluoride foam, varnish or gel, which has a higher concentration of fluoride than over-the-counter toothpastes or mouthwashes.⁹

8. Seal deep tooth crevices

Not surprisingly, deep crevices in back molars are more prone to catch and hold food particles, which can lead to decay. To prevent food from getting stuck, sealants — a thin, protective coating applied to the tooth — can be applied. Studies have shown that sealants can decrease the risk of cavities and tooth decay by up to 80%.¹⁰

9. Keep dental X-rays current

Skipping out on dental X-rays may seem like a way to save money on your next dental visit, but in reality, X-rays can be a key preventive tool to keeping your mouth healthy. X-rays can be used to detect and diagnose cavities between teeth and under fillings, bone loss, impacted teeth, gum disease, oral infections and abscesses.¹¹

10. Straighten your teeth

Straighter teeth might be more aesthetically pleasing, but there's another reason you might want to straighten your smile: Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean. Teeth that are crooked or overlapping offer more hiding places for plaque and can be harder to effectively brush. Check with a dental professional to see if orthodontic treatments can help prevent oral issues.¹²

11. Get relief — and protection — from nighttime grinding

If you wake up in the morning with a headache or jaw pain, you may be a nighttime grinder. A dental professional may be able to diagnose grinding from looking at tooth wear.¹³

Besides being a pain in the jaw, nighttime grinding — also known as bruxism — can have consequences for your teeth, including excessive tooth wear, tooth fractures, loosening or even tooth loss. A nighttime mouth guard can help protect your teeth from damage and wear.¹³

12. Cut back on sugary drinks and food

No surprise here: There is a clear connection between the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume and the health of your mouth. One recent study bluntly starts: “Excessive sugar consumption is the main cause of dental caries."¹⁴ Ouch.

Reducing the overall amount of sugar consumed is the best preventive step, but if you do indulge, try rinsing out your mouth with water or brushing after eating sugary treats.¹⁵

13. Use a straw to sip

Still want to indulge in sugary or acidic beverages? Decrease the impact on your teeth by using a straw. Using a straw when consuming these kinds of beverages helps the liquid bypass contact with your teeth and directs the liquid to the back of the mouth to lessen the impact on your enamel.¹

14. Decrease or eliminate alcoholic drinks

Skipping that cocktail could have big benefits for your teeth. Alcohol metabolizes into sugar, which attracts cavity-causing bacteria. Beer and wine are acidic, which can erode tooth enamel over time. Studies have also shown that alcohol has a negative impact on the gums, leading to a higher risk of gum recession, infection and plaque buildup. If you do imbibe, consider limiting your consumption, using a straw and rinsing with water.¹⁶

15. Add in gum

Surprised? Chewing sugar-free gum can actually help keep your mouth healthy. Gum chewing increases saliva production, which helps rinse away stray food particles between brushing and helps counteract harmful oral bacteria. Just make sure it's sugar-free to take advantage of gum's preventative benefits.¹⁷

16. Stop smoking

In case you need another reason to stop smoking: Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and other forms of tobacco all lead to an increased risk of oral cancer and gum disease.¹⁸ Smoking is also associated with higher rates of bone damage, tooth loss and jawbone loss.¹⁹ Reach out to a healthcare provider for help in quitting tobacco.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn't cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.