Overall Ways to Improve Dental Health at Home
April 5, 2016
If you’ve ever been to the dentist, chances are you’ve had an awkward conversation with your hygienist about often you are flossing and your at-home regimen. Trust us, we don’t want to constantly pestering you about your oral health, but we are looking out for your best interest!
To help with the never-ending battle for happy and healthy smiles, here are some ways to improve your dental health at home!
Buy More Toothbrushes
You would be surprised how many people will use the same toothbrush for months on end. After some time your toothbrush will be teeming with bacteria, this can be detrimental to your oral health. We recommend that you purchase a new toothbrush every two months.
If you are teaching your kids how to brush, you better know how to do it yourself! The correct brushing technique is to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gum line and move the bristles, gently, back in forth is short strokes. Make sure to get behind your teeth, the back of the mouth, and your gum line. Be sure to use a toothbrush that is the right size and fits comfortably in your mouth.
Eat Less Sugar
This can be a tough one for those of you out there with a sweet tooth! But sugary beverages and foods are leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease. Try to stick to a diet of whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies, low-fat dairy products, and fibrous foods like broccoli. Sugary soda can be ruin an otherwise healthy mouth.
Wear a mouth guard!
If you are playing contact sports like football or basketball, it’s always important to remember to wear a mouthguard. A mouth guard helps to prevent injuries by protecting your lips, teeth and jaw when playing sports. Even if you are just playing a pick up game at the local rec center, please wear your mouthguard. We don’t enjoy receiving emergency calls!
Come See Us!
While this is the opposite of at-home advice, we always encourage our patients to see us at least two times a year for a checkup and regular cleaning!