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Healthy smiles begin with healthy habits.
Discover trusted information, practical advice, and engaging resources to help you care for your smile at every stage of life—from your child's first tooth to lifelong oral health.
Oral Health
A healthy smile is an important part of your overall health and well-being. Whether you're looking for preventive care tips, activities for your children, or answers to common dental questions, Delta Dental of New Mexico offers trusted resources to help you make informed decisions and build healthy habits for life.
Healthy habits start at home.
Small daily routines like brushing, flossing, healthy eating, and regular dental visits can make a lifelong difference. Explore practical tips for building healthy habits for every member of your family.
Healthy Smile Tips
Discover articles about preventive care, brushing, flossing, nutrition, and everyday habits that support lifelong oral health.
Kids Corner
Coloring pages, games, puzzles, and activities that make learning about oral health fun for children and families.
Dental Terms Made Simple
Understand common dental insurance and oral health terminology with clear, plain-language explanations.
Sports & Mouthguards
Learn how mouthguards help prevent dental injuries and protect smiles during sports and recreational activities.
Your mouth is connected to your overall health.
Oral health is about more than your teeth. Explore articles that explain the connection between oral health and overall wellness, along with practical guidance for every stage of life.
Every smile changes with age.
A baby's first tooth, braces during the teen years, maintaining healthy gums as an adult, and preserving your smile later in life all bring different oral health needs. Explore age-specific guidance designed for every stage of life.
Five Everyday Habits for a Healthier Smile
Brush twice each day. Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for two minutes.
Clean between your teeth daily. Floss or use another interdental cleaner to remove plaque where your toothbrush can't reach.
Eat a smile-friendly diet. Limit sugary snacks and drinks while choosing foods that support healthy teeth and gums.
Protect your teeth during sports. Wear a properly fitted mouth guard during athletic activities.
Visit your dentist regularly. Preventive visits help identify concerns early and keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Health
Good oral health is about more than having a healthy smile. Healthy teeth and gums make it easier to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, and maintaining good oral health can contribute to your overall health and well-being.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time, and clean between your teeth daily using floss or another interdental cleaner. Consistent daily care helps remove plaque and reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Your dentist will recommend a schedule based on your individual oral health needs, but regular preventive exams and cleanings are one of the best ways to detect problems early and maintain a healthy smile.
Children should generally visit a dentist by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears. Early visits help establish healthy habits and allow dentists to monitor oral development.
A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean proteins, and plenty of water supports good oral health. Limiting sugary foods and drinks can help reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Brush twice daily, floss every day, limit sugary snacks and beverages, drink water throughout the day, and visit your dentist regularly for preventive care. Fluoride toothpaste and professional cleanings also help protect your teeth.
Mouth guards help protect teeth, gums, and jaws from injury during sports and recreational activities. A properly fitted mouth guard can significantly reduce the risk of chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth.
Preventive care focuses on maintaining oral health through services like exams and cleanings. Basic and major services typically address existing dental problems or restorative treatments. Your specific coverage depends on your dental plan.
Visit our Dental Terms Made Simple resource for plain-language explanations of common dental procedures, insurance terminology, and benefit-related terms.
Visit Kids Corner for coloring pages, games, puzzles, educational activities, and resources that make learning about oral health fun for children and families.
Use Find Care to search for participating Delta Dental dentists by name, specialty, or location. Choosing a participating provider can also help you maximize your dental benefits.
Browse Healthy Smile Tips for articles covering prevention, oral hygiene, nutrition, dental conditions, treatments, and oral health at every stage of life.
Ready to schedule your next dental visit?
Finding a participating dentist is one of the best ways to protect your oral health and maximize your dental benefits.
Looking for dental coverage?
Whether you're buying coverage for yourself or your family, compare plans that help make preventive care and healthy smiles more affordable.