How to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums
A healthy smile is the foundation of your overall well-being. At Sheldon & Furtado, PLLC, our goal is to help every patient achieve a “Solid Bite”—a state of oral health where teeth are stable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you have a full set of natural teeth or have restored your smile with implants, maintaining your oral hygiene is essential for longevity.
Led by Dr. Lee Sheldon, Dr. Matt Sheldon, and Dr. Michel Furtado, our practice believes that patient education is just as important as the treatment we provide in the chair. Dr. Furtado, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, emphasizes that preventing disease is always preferable to treating it. By incorporating the right habits into your daily routine, you can prevent decay, gum disease, and other dental issues before they start.
If it has been more than six months since you saw a dentist, call our Melbourne dental office at (321) 259-8000 to get back on track.
Here is a comprehensive guide to keeping your smile in top shape between visits to our dentist’s office near you.
1. Master Your Brushing Technique 
Most people brush their teeth every day, but not everyone does it correctly. Rushing through the process or using a brush with bristles that are too hard can actually damage your enamel and irritate your gums. It is essential to brush for a full two minutes, twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasion.
Angle your brush at 45 degrees toward the gum line and use gentle, circular motions rather than sawing back and forth. This technique effectively removes plaque bacteria from the sulcus—the critical area where the tooth meets the gum. If you are unsure about your technique, ask our hygienists for a demonstration during your next visit for dental cleanings.
2. Don’t Forget to Floss Daily
Brushing alone only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces. The tight spaces between your teeth are breeding grounds for bacteria and food particles that a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Flossing once a day is crucial for removing this debris and preventing cavities from forming in between your teeth.
If you find traditional string floss difficult to maneuver, consider the following alternatives:
- Water flossers, which use a stream of water to dislodge plaque.
- Interdental brushes designed to fit between teeth.
- Floss picks for easier handling.
3. Prioritize Professional Checkups
Even with perfect home care, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus) within 24 to 48 hours. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed by a professional. Regular checkups are vital for maintaining oral health and catching potential issues early. During your first visit or recall appointment, our team utilizes high-tech diagnostic tools to ensure your mouth is disease-free.
4. Watch for Early Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, yet it is often painless in its early stages. Being vigilant about changes in your gums can save your smile. Healthy gums should be pink and firm, not red, swollen, or prone to bleeding.
Our practice specializes in periodontal treatment. We are one of fewer than 100 offices in the USA to use the Perioscope, a specialized endoscope that allows us to treat gum disease non-surgically in nearly every case. If you notice bleeding when you brush, do not ignore it—contact us immediately.
5. Eat a Tooth-Friendly Diet
What you eat has a direct impact on the health of your teeth. Sugary and starchy foods fuel the bacteria in your mouth that produce acid, which in turn attacks your enamel. Limiting your intake of sodas, candies, and processed carbohydrates can significantly reduce your risk of tooth decay.
Instead, focus on a diet rich in vitamins and minerals that support oral health. Calcium-rich foods like cheese and yogurt help strengthen enamel, while crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots can act as natural toothbrushes, stimulating saliva flow and scrubbing away plaque naturally.
6. Stay Hydrated with Water
Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense mechanism. It neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, washes away food particles, and provides disease-fighting substances throughout your mouth. Chronic dry mouth can increase your risk for both decay and gum infections.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain healthy saliva levels. If you are taking medications that cause dry mouth as a side effect, please let our doctors know. We can recommend specific products or strategies to keep your oral tissues moist and healthy.
To schedule a consultation regarding your oral health, call (321) 259-8000.
7. Address Grinding and Clenching
Stress often manifests in the jaw. Many people grind or clench their teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism) without even realizing it. Over time, this excessive force can wear down your enamel, cause teeth to crack, and lead to jaw pain or headaches.
If you wake up with a sore jaw or notice your teeth look shorter or flatter than they used to, you may need a custom night guard. Protecting your teeth from this trauma is essential for preserving your “Solid Bite” and avoiding the need for extensive full dental rehabilitation later in life.
8. Replace Missing Teeth Promptly
A gap in your smile is more than just a cosmetic inconvenience; it is a structural vulnerability. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Additionally, adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, throwing off your bite and leading to further tooth loss.
Restoring your smile with dental implants prevents these complications. Implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural tooth roots, maintaining your facial structure. For those missing multiple teeth, our Solid Bite℠ Teeth Replacement protocol can restore function and aesthetics efficiently.
9. Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use
Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors for the development of periodontal disease and oral cancer. Smoking impairs blood flow to the gums, making it harder for your mouth to heal and easier for infections to take hold. It also stains teeth and contributes to persistent bad breath.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health. If you are considering quitting, ask our team for resources. We are here to support your journey toward a healthier lifestyle.
10. Manage Dental Anxiety
Fear of the dentist often leads people to skip necessary appointments, allowing small problems to grow into complex emergencies. If anxiety has kept you away from the dentist, know that modern dentistry offers solutions to make your visit relaxing.
Sheldon & Furtado, PLLC offers IV Sedation. This allows you to receive the care you need—whether it is a deep cleaning or implant placement—while completely relaxed. Do not let fear compromise your health; call (321) 259-8000 to discuss our sedation options.
11. Protect Your Cosmetic Investments
If you have enhanced your smile with Cosmetic Dentistry, such as porcelain veneers or professional whitening, specific care is needed to prolong your results. While these materials are durable, they still require maintenance to look their best.
Avoid biting on hard objects like ice or pens, which can chip veneers or porcelain crowns. Additionally, minimize consumption of staining beverages like coffee and red wine to keep your smile bright.
12. Handle Emergencies Quickly
accidents happen, and knowing how to react can save a tooth. Whether you chip a tooth or have one knocked out during a sporting event, time is of the essence. Ignoring dental pain or trauma often leads to more extensive and expensive procedures down the road.
If you experience an injury, contact our dentists near you immediately. We reserve time in our schedule to handle urgent cases so that you do not have to live in pain.
Partner with Sheldon & Furtado, PLLC
Taking care of your teeth and gums is a lifelong journey, but you do not have to walk it alone. At Sheldon & Furtado, PLLC, we combine decades of experience with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. We have been serving the Melbourne and Brevard County community since 1980, helping thousands of patients regain their confidence.
Whether you need a routine cleaning, are concerned about gum health, or are interested in our Solid Bite solutions, our team is here to help you achieve optimal oral health.
Contact our Melbourne dentists today or call (321) 259-8000 to schedule your appointment. Let us help you keep your bite solid and your smile bright.