While there are several habits you can practice to protect your teeth from decay, brushing and flossing every single day is supremely important for your dental health. Because these habits remove the buildup of food debris and bacteria that lead to disease, it is hard to overstate how important they are in protecting your smile. With that said, we could all use a reminder on proper procedure for the fight against cavities and gum disease. At your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we are happy to provide guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques when you attend a routine cleaning and examination. With the right adjustments, you can have greater success at preventing plaque and tartar from building on your teeth!
Brushing Your Teeth
Adults should brush their teeth at least twice every single day. This activity prevents the buildup of plaque and removes food particles stuck to the surface of your teeth. Without their removal, food debris and bacteria provide the environment for tooth decay, bad breath, and eventually even gum disease. You can brush once in the morning and once at night for two minutes each. You can help strengthen your enamel with the use of a fluoride toothpaste to assist in preventing decay and discoloration due to enamel erosion. Take care to reach each surface including your back molars!
Brushing For Children
The practice of healthy oral hygiene habits begins in childhood! For babies, use a finger smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice and gently brush their teeth at a 45° angle. When they become toddlers, upgrade to an age appropriate brush and continue providing assistance until they are ready to brush on their own. Remind them to periodically spit or rinse to prevent the swallowing of fluoride toothpaste. You can congratulate your child when they are finished to positively reinforce the new habit. By age three, we will recommend bringing your child for routine checkups where we can inspect their efforts and offer additional praise!
Flossing Your Teeth
Flossing every single day helps prevent the buildup of food particles between teeth that your brush cannot reach. Skipping the flossing step only hurts your preventative efforts against tooth decay and gum disease. If you find it difficult to use traditional string floss, consider using a floss pick to ensure you stick to the daily habit. Make sure to glide the string between two teeth while pulling it against each tooth’s surface.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA Dental Team About Your Oral Hygiene!
Practicing a daily oral hygiene regimen protects your smile against cavities and gum disease. Your dentist assists your daily habits through routine cleaning and examination of your teeth. Because people of all ages require dental care, we provide service for the entire family! To schedule a visit, call our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at 515-207-6182. Additionally, we serve patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities as well.
