We care about your family and their smiles, and we want to help boost your oral hygiene, at home and in our office with preventive visits. To do so, steps need to be taken to safeguard the smile each and every day. In today’s blog, your team at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about improving your family’s oral hygiene.
Better Brushing and Flossing Habits
One way to definitely improve your family’s oral hygiene is by brushing and flossing every day. All ages need this, and you can help your babies and toddlers, and supervise your older kids, to make sure everyone is cleaning their teeth properly. You should brush your teeth for two minutes in the morning and at night, and each time we suggest using a fluoride toothpaste to keep outer enamel strong and cavity-free. A toothbrush with soft bristles is helpful too, and you can use an electric or manual one, whichever you prefer.
Flossing is absolutely essential, as this reaches what a toothbrush alone cannot. You can use a floss pick, string, tape, or a water floss. You should clean up and down each side of every tooth and dip under the gums when you do. This should be done every evening before you brush the second time, so that way the toothbrush clears away what the floss dislodges. This can help fight gingivitis and gum disease in particular.
Eating a Healthier Diet
Another way to improve your family’s oral hygiene habits is by eating a healthier diet. Doing so helps your heart health and also denies harmful bacteria of a meal, which limits the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We suggest cutting back on sugar and starch, and adding more lean meats and proteins, low fat yogurts and cheeses, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Whole grain breads and crackers are helpful too! Avoid tobacco use too.
Improving Oral Health with Checkups and Cleanings
These are suggestions for protecting smiles at home, but you can also improve your family’s oral hygiene with a visit to our office. A checkup and cleaning every six months are so helpful for smiles of all ages. With the checkup, we can monitor your smile and catch possible problems early, often before you experience painful symptoms, and address them. We also clean your teeth, removing all plaque and tartar to keep teeth and gums strong.
If you have any questions about how to improve your family’s oral hygiene, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you smile with confidence again!
Dental Impressions Helps Boost Your Oral Health
We want to help improve your oral health and offer stronger teeth and gums. To schedule an appointment for general and preventive dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
