Did you know that a few routine steps each and every day could help protect your smiles from tooth decay, bad breath, and even issues like gum disease? In today’s blog, your Baxter, MN, dentist looks at proper brushing and flossing, as well as other tips for keeping teeth strong and healthy, and also maintaining your smile’s esthetics too.
Brushing Your Teeth
First, choose a toothbrush that you enjoy using. Manual or electric is great, as long as they’re used daily. Make sure the bristles are soft, as brushing too rough with hard or medium ones could irritate gum tissue and even weaken outer tooth enamel. Brush for two minutes when you wake up and once more before going to bed. Approach the side teeth at a 45-degree angle, and be sure you reach every available surface. Then clean your front teeth in a circular motion. You should make sure to clean your baby or toddler’s teeth, and monitor your older kids to ensure they aren’t brushing for a few seconds and stopping. There are fun apps and timers available online to help!
Flossing Every Night
While brushing is effective, they don’t reach the bits of food trapped in between the teeth. For that, you need to floss! Using either floss tape or a floss pick, you should clean up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line to remove any trapped bits of food. You should floss before bed every night, and kids need to start as there are teeth sitting side-by-side in their smiles. Not only does this lower the risk of bad breath and teeth stains, but floss is crucial for avoiding gingivitis and gum disease too!
Better Diets
What we eat is also a factor! When kids and adults consume foods and drinks high in sugar, this leaves behind particles for bacteria to consume, creating plaque and increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Try to drink more water, and avoid items like soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, or even sugary fruit drinks. Consume healthier snack options, fewer candies and more fruits, veggies, cheeses, nuts, or whole grain options. If you have any questions about protecting your smile from home, or if you would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning visit, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to make sure you continue to enjoy your best possible smile!
Greenhaven Family Dental Wants You To Stay Healthy!
Greenhaven Family Dental wants to help your smile remain healthy, strong, and bright with routine homecare. If you’d like to learn more about protecting your smile from home, then you can contact Greenhaven Family Dental in Baxter, MN at 218-454-0523.