With the right steps, you can protect your smile from issues like tooth decay or even gum disease, avoiding discomfort and tooth loss. In addition to seeing our team for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months, you can protect your smile from home. In today’s blog, Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about boosting your oral health at home.
Brushing Your Teeth
How often do you brush your teeth? To really protect yourself from tooth decay and gum disease, we urge you to brush your teeth twice a day. You should do this first thing in the morning, and then again before bed. Each session should take two minutes, and we suggest a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid inadvertent enamel damage or gum irritation. You can choose a manual toothbrush or electric, whichever you prefer. Your toothpaste selection matters too! We recommend one with fluoride to help keep your outer enamel strong, just look for fluoride on the packaging or for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance on the box. This is essential for kids and adults alike, everyone benefits from taking time to brush each and every day.
Always Take Time to Floss
You also need to floss! This removes what a toothbrush may not reach, and is essential in fighting bad breath and gum disease. This means that every evening before bed and prior to brushing that second time, you should clean up and down each side of every tooth with floss tape or string, or with a floss tape or a water flosser. Be sure you dip beneath the gum line when you do. This extracts trapped particles to fight cavities and periodontal disease.
Cut Back on Sugar
When you choose a snack or a meal, try to opt for one low in sugar. Cutting back on sugar helps deprive harmful bacteria of a meal and in the process, lowers the severity of plaque and tartar to better protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease. This also helps fight diseases like diabetes!
Avoid Tobacco Products
Tobacco can worsen your gum health and also increase the risk of oral cancer and other diseases, so try to avoid smoking cigarettes, or using smokeless tobacco or vaping.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you or a family member play sports or engage in other activities that risk dental damage? If so, be sure you always wear a mouthguard to help prevent the onset of dental injuries, like a chipped or cracked tooth. If you have any questions about protecting your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Helps Your Smile Shine
We want to help safeguard your teeth against decay and disease. To schedule an appointment and boost your oral health, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
