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Take Care of Your Teeth
Your smile is designed to last a lifetime if you take good care of it. That means practicing a regimen of daily oral care and avoiding things that can hurt your smile.
Brushing and flossing are the cornerstone of good dental hygiene. These two practices are essential for removing plaque, the filmy substance that forms on your teeth after a meal. If this plaque is not removed daily, it can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Effective Brushing Habits
You’ve been brushing your teeth for a long time, and you might not realize that you could probably improve your technique by following all of these recommended practices:
- Brush all section of your mouth
- Find a brush which easily fits inside your mouth
- Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth
- Brush for at least two minutes
- Brush two times per day
- Apply firm pressure, but don’t press too hard
- Brush all exposed surfaces of your teeth
Don’t Forget to Floss
Flossing is extremely important for removing plaque and other substances from the regions between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. But a lot of people don’t floss because they find it difficult or painful. In fact, studies report that “only 35 percent of patients occasionally use dental floss, and only 2 to 15 percent floss daily.”
Oral irrigators–also referred to as water flossers or by the brand name Waterpik–can be a great tool for people who don’t like to floss. Advantages of oral irrigators include:
- Gentle on your gums
- Safe with dental implants
- Fun and easy to use
- Reduces your chances of getting of gum disease
- Cleans out deep pockets in gums damaged by gum disease
- Easier to use if you have braces
Smoking Can Destroy Your Smile
In addition to causing heart disease, lung disease, and various types of cancer, smoking will wreak havoc on your smile in several ways:
- Reduces your body’s ability to fight plaque and tartar which both cause gum disease
- Decreases the success rate of oral surgery
- Causes dry mouth which hampers your ability to fight tooth decay
- Causes several types of oral cancer
- Bad breath
- Reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your gums
Limit Sugary Foods in Your Diet
Foods containing processed sugar can cause cavities and other health complications. Try to limit your consumption of sugary foods, especially between meals. Many parents find it effective to provide healthy snacks for their kids such as fruit.
Visit Your Dentist in San Jose
Here’s another great thing you can do for your smile in addition to practicing good oral hygiene every day: Visit Dr. Cooper for regular checkups. Call us to schedule a checkup in San Jose today.