Our team wants to help you and your whole family enjoy good oral health. To do so, limiting the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, we can discuss improvements to your oral hygiene, both at home and in our office. In today’s blog, Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about helping your oral hygiene.
Brushing and Flossing
One major way to protect smiles young and old this summer, and throughout the year, is with better brushing and flossing habits. All ages need to start their day by brushing their teeth for two minutes when they wake up, and then doing so again before going to bed. Each session should involve a toothbrush with soft bristles. You can use electric or manual, your preferences. We also suggest a toothpaste with fluoride, which can help strengthen the enamel as it cleans your teeth.
In the evening, you should floss before bed, and preferably before you brush the second time. Be sure you floss up and down each side of every tooth, and dip under the gums when you do, which extracts food and drink particles a toothbrush cannot reach. You can use tape, strong, a floss prick, or even a water flosser.
Avoiding Too Much Sugar
One common threat to all smiles is sugar. When we consume drinks and snacks with a lot of sugar, this leaves behind particles that bacteria consume. As this happens, oral acidity rises and the teeth are coated in plaque and tartar, buildup that weakens the enamel to cause cavities, and irritates the gums to cause inflammation, linked to gingivitis and gum disease. Be sure to cut back on sugar, opt for water, fresh fruit and veggies (which can be enjoyed with hummus and peanut butter), and other smile-healthy options.
Checkup and Cleaning Visits
Finally, a great way to protect your oral health is by visiting our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months. We want to see you for a visit so we can monitor your smile and catch issues like tooth decay and gum disease early, so we can treat and manage them to keep your smile healthy and whole for years to come. In the same visit, we also clean your teeth, which involves gently removing all plaque and tartar. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance.
If you have any questions about how we improve your oral health with better oral hygiene habits, then contact our team today to learn more and get started.
Dental Impressions Wants to Help Improve Your Oral Health
We want to help you avoid issues like tooth decay and gum disease with better oral hygiene. To schedule an appointment and boost your smile, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
