Dental checkup

Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for your smile. Healthy teeth make a beautiful smile, and at Durham Dental Group we remind you it can also help with gum health, and even keep your breath smelling sweet.

For some of us, brushing can be an irritating chore that gets in the way of a good time. Hopefully you don’t think of brushing in such dire terms, but we know it happens.

The best way to built brushing into your routine is to make it a habit. A habit is an automated practice that becomes hard to give up. Some habits can be bad, of course. Brushing can be a good habit.

If you can make brushing your teeth a habit, you’ll be one step closer to a life of successful checkups.

Here are some tips for creating a good habit that you can teach to your kids. These tips will also work on teens. And they work on adults, too:

Keep It Simple

One of the best ways to create a habit is to keep the requirements simple. Brushing teeth is already a simple task, but we can focus on the simplicity to help it stick as a habit.

Don’t complicate the instructions for your kids. Keep it as simple as possible at the start. A small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, brush for about two minutes, rinse with clear water. Simple.

Regular Timing

One of the cornerstones of a habit is routine. Routine is rooted in consistent timing. Choose at least two, or three regular times to brush your teeth. Set a timer if you have to, but it’s best to create a habit around other regular activities. “First thing in the morning” or “after breakfast” are good times. After dinner or just before getting into bed are also good times.

Regardless of when you choose, make sure it is a daily activity, and that it is tied to another routine or habit as a reminder. In this way you are actually appending an existing habit or routine, and that makes it easier.

Stick To It

Research indicates it takes about two weeks to create a habit. You have to do a task for at least two weeks in a row before your brain will turn it over to auto-pilot and make it into a habit. Your brain tries to do this with routine things so you don’t have to keep the task in your short-term memory.

If you can stick with a task for two weeks, you’ll be well on your way to creating a good habit. If you can hold on for 30 days, you’ll imprint your new habit as a reflexive routine. You may never have to think about it again!

Improve It

Finally, any good habit needs constant improving. You can improve your habit of brushing your teeth by working on proper form, or by adding a little bit of time. Work toward the two minute mark; any longer and it may start to cause damage. You can also make sure you are using a soft or medium brush, and that you are using floride toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy.

Start Today

There’s no time like right now to get started on creating healthy habits for your teeth. If you are having trouble with brushing, make a commitment to work on it starting now. If you are caring for a child, or working with a teenager, help reinforce good habits with reminders, positive support, and a leading example.

At Durham Dental Group our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today.

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

These days our patients at Durham Dental Group are more conscious of their health than ever – their dental health, and their overall physical health. Many of us are trying to stay active, eat a balanced diet, and better manage stress.

When you feel healthy, attractive, and happy, you smile more often. You want your smile to compliment and enhance your physical and mental condition. Here at Durham Dental Group, we want to make sure that all our patients have healthy, attractive teeth.

Eating right is a great step toward optimal oral health. A balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in nutrients will support dental health at every age. And, of course, water is always the beverage of choice for those who want healthy teeth.

Daily brushing and flossing are essential healthy habits for your mouth. Also, regular check-ups and cleanings with your Durham dentist are a must.

Another way to get those teeth looking beautiful is by undergoing some routine cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you want to close spaces between the teeth, improve your gumline, or repair chips or cracks in the teeth, then dental bonding, gum recontouring, crowns, or porcelain veneers might be what you’re looking for.

At Durham Dental Group in Durham NC, the dental health of our patients is our number one priority. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule a checkup with us today.

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

Visiting Durham Dental Group for dental checkups and cleanings every six months can seem inconvenient and unnecessary at times, but you may benefit in vital ways you never guessed.

A recent study showed that individuals who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

While the study could simply confirm that people who vigilantly schedule regular dental cleanings also practice healthy habits like exercising and eating right, there is additional evidence of a relationship between oral health and heart health.

Common oral conditions like inflammation resulting from gum disease are somehow connected to hardening of the arteries and other tissue inflammations which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Former American Heart Association President Ralph Sacco, MD, (who did not participate in the study mentioned previously) said:

Something as simple as having good dental hygiene – brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings – may be good for your heart and brain health.

While the study found that patients who schedule cleanings yearly glean the most health benefits, the Durham Dental Group team recommends coming in for checkups and cleanings every six months to catch potential problems early, saving patients time and money. Regular dental cleanings also brighten and whiten teeth, making your smile look its best.

Schedule a cleaning and checkup at Durham Dental Group today. We also provide general and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713