How well do you care for your smile? Each day, all ages need to practice good oral hygiene to lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In today’s blog, Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about how you can improve your oral hygiene with better brushing and flossing.
Taking Time to Brush Your Teeth
You should brush your teeth first thing in the morning, and then do so again before you go to bed each evening. Every member of your family should do so, and we suggest choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid inadvertent enamel damage or gum irritation. You can use an electric or manual one, both are effective if used properly. Your toothpaste selection matters too, as you need one with fluoride to help strengthen the outer enamel. For kids, ages three and under need a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, while kids over the age of three and every one else needs a pea-sized amount.
Flossing Your Teeth
You also need to floss every evening! You should do this before you brush the second time, and this can remove the bits of food stuck between teeth and beyond the reach of your toothbrush’s bristles. You can use floss string, tape, or a floss pick. Some people prefer a water floss. Just be sure you are cleaning up and down each side of every tooth, and dipping beneath the gum line, to extract the trapped particles and protect your smile from cavities, gingivitis, and even gum disease.
Watching Your Sugar Intake
When we consume too much sugar, which can happen for kids in particular during their summer break, this can lead to trouble. The particles, left behind by our foods and drinks, are broken down and consumed by bacteria, a process that creates plaque and tartar buildup. The buildup then creates teeth stains, bad breath, and a higher risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. But by limiting sugar intake, you can better protect your smile!
See Our Team for a Checkup and Cleaning
A checkup and cleaning is crucial for protecting smiles. We would love to help you and your family start a new school year with healthier smiles, so this is the perfect time to schedule a visit. Our team will also clean the teeth to help fight bad breath, teeth stains, and cavities and gingivitis! If you have any questions about improving your oral hygiene, then talk to our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Helps Boost Your Oral Hygiene
Our team wants to help protect your smile from issues like tooth decay and gum disease. To schedule an appointment for your next exam and cleaning, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
