Going to the dentist can be a traumatizing experience. We are forced to sit there calmly as someone scrapes and drills and prods at our teeth, all the while asking question upon question about our lives that we are somehow expected to answer even though they have their hands shoved in our mouths. It can be so traumatic, in fact, that some people even develop a fear of the dentist, known as Odontophobia. That said, most of us would like to avoid any unnecessary trips to the dentist if possible. So how do we do this while maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile? All you need to do is follow a few simple steps.

1. Family Dental Care – It is important to start good dental hygiene at a young age, and this means finding a dentist you trust for your family. Keep in mind that a cheap dentist is not always a good dentist! There are bound to be many pediatric dentists in your area that you can search through until you find the right one.
2. Brush Your Teeth – The nylon bristled tooth brush has been around since 1938, yet many people neglect to use one! Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is an integral part of maintaining good oral health. It is also important to not only replace your toothbrush about every three months, but also to rinse it with hot water after brushing, as bacteria can grow in the bristles.
3. Don’t Forget to Floss – This is another step that, while very important for dental hygiene, many people skip. Flossing your teeth helps remove plaque and any food that your toothbrush failed to remove, which in turn can help prevent gum disease.

Just three easy steps stand between you and fewer trips to the dentist! Search through pediatric dentists in your area for your children to start them off on the right foot, or find a family dentist you trust, brush your teeth, and don’t avoid the floss! Mind you, sometimes we run into dental issues regardless of how good we are about sticking to the rules. In this case there are many cosmetic dentistry procedures that can correct things like crooked or missing teeth that are unavoidable. Either way, it is crucial to take care of your teeth in order to maintain your oral health and a beautiful smile!
Reference links.