Whether you enjoyed great oral health last year or suffered from many dental problems, chances are you started this year with hopes of protecting your dental health. After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile? Preventive care isn’t complicated, but it does require that you form some healthy habits at-home. Combined with routine dental cleanings, good hygiene is the best way to keep your smile in great shape.
A Manual or Electric Toothbrush
Either a manual or electric toothbrush can be effective. The key is simply to brush long enough to adequately clean the teeth. This means brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once at night.
You also need to use a gentle motion, so as not to irritate the gums, and a non-abrasive toothpaste that won’t cause damage to the teeth’s enamel.
A Waterpick or Floss
Either a waterpick or floss can effectively help to remove plaque bacteria from between the teeth. That said, for most patients, floss is a simpler and more cost effective solution.
By simply committing to flossing between each of your teeth every day, you can reduce your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. So make sure you add this to your daily hygiene routine.
Mouthwash or Chewing Gum
Both mouthwash and sugar-free chewing gum can help to freshen one’s breath in between tooth brushings. Neither should be a considered an alternative to brushing or flossing, of course, but they can be helpful additions to one’s daily routine.
Chewing gum, in particular, can be beneficial for teeth because it can help to remove food particles from the surface of the teeth, as you chew. Plus, the very act of chewing helps the body to create saliva, which naturally limits plaque’s ability to calcify onto teeth.
Of course, no amount of hygiene is reason to skip routine preventive dentistry, like checkups and cleanings. So make sure you see the dentist at least twice a year for regular care.
Protect Your Smile with Professional Cleanings
Most patients need to see the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings. You can schedule a checkup and cleaning with Gateway Dental Group in Des Moines, IA, today at (515) 244-9565.