With daily care and simple actions, you can help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Which is why we want to talk about boosting your oral hygiene habits! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about a few tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
The Importance of Brushing and Flossing Your Diet
How well do you care for your smile each day? Daily action is needed to help protect smiles from bad breath, stained teeth, and even cavities and gum disease. All ages need to start their day by brushing for two minutes, and end the day by doing the same. You can use a manual or electric toothbrush, whichever is more comfortable for you, just as long as you use soft bristles to prevent gum irritation and enamel erosion.
The toothpaste you choose is important too! You want one with fluoride, as this helps keep the outer enamel strong and cavity-free. Kids three and under need a rice-sized amount, and everyone else should use a pea-sized amount. Flossing is also essential as this reaches what a toothbrush alone cannot, so be sure everyone flosses up and down each side of every tooth before they go to bed at night, preferably before they brush the second time.
Avoid Too Much Sugar!
When we eat foods and drink beverages with a lot of sugar, or consume meals and snacks high in starch, this leaves behind particles that could feed harmful bacteria and increase the risk of serious complications. You could be more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay, infection, and even gingivitis and gum disease. Which is why we recommend cutting back on sugar and starch, or following items with lots of sugar with a glass of water to help rinse away the particles. Instead, drink more water, add fresh fruits and veggies to your diet, and opt for items high in Vitamins C and D. These actions can help improve your smile and your overall health!
Checkups and Cleanings
To help protect your smile, you also need a routine checkup and cleaning every six months, regardless of age. An exam is a chance to monitor your smile and catch problems early, so we can treat them and keep your smile full, beautiful, and comfortable. In the same visit, we will clean the teeth to lower the risk of issues like cavities and gum disease. If you have any questions about how we safeguard your smile or improve your oral health at home, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Offer Improved Oral Health
Our team wants to help improve the health, function, and beauty of your smile. To schedule an appointment and keep your smile intact, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
