Are You Maintaining Good Dental Habits?

You label yourself a stickler when it comes to taking care of your teeth. But are your current dental habits properly aligned with what a dentist would say? In this blog post, we’ll provide a refresher with some tips to maintain good oral hygiene.

Before we get to those tips, let’s first review plaque. This sticky layer of material contains bacteria that accumulate on your teeth. While we tend to just think of sugary foods as sources of plaque, it’s important to know that there are others that cause harm. For example, did you know that bread, crackers, and cereal can cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids? Keep in mind that plaque produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding. By not maintaining good oral hygiene habits, you’re opening the door for gum disease. Should you not pay attention to gingivitis, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.

Here are some easy ways to keep your teeth strong and healthy through the years:

• Brush like a dentist – Along with regular flossing, the best way to remove plaque is by brushing your teeth every day. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush and an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride, a key component in shielding your teeth from decay. Make it a point to move the brush back and forth in short, gentle strokes as you cover the outer tooth surfaces, inner tooth surfaces, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Your local dentist will also recommend that you use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath!
• Don’t forget to floss – The American Dental Association advises breaking off about 18 inches of floss and winding it around your middle fingers. As you hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, gently guide the floss between your teeth. It’s important to curve it into a C-shape against one tooth when the floss reaches the gum line. Then delicately slide it into the space between the gum and tooth. While the process may sound a bit complicated, flossing is simple once you get the hang of it.
• Consider a mouth rinse – Now that you’ve got brushing and flossing figured out, let’s get to the mouth rinse. An antimicrobial mouth rinse reduces bacteria and plaque activity, which helps prevent tooth decay down the road. However, not everyone should use a fluoride mouth rinse, such as young children. Speak with your dentist if you have any doubt whether a particular mouthwash will be safe and effective.

Ask Our Family Dentist for Oral Hygiene Tips

Dental care plays a major impact on one’s overall health. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your teeth on a regular basis. At BeaverBrooke Dental in Sandy, our staff makes it a point to educate patients with the proper teeth cleaning techniques. Our dentist clinic reinforces your oral health by providing new toothbrushes, flossing demonstrations, and more.

See what makes BeaverBrooke the preferred family dentist in Sandy. We provide braces, cosmetic services, as well as emergency dentist services.

Call today to make your appointment.