Use These Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Oral Care Routine
Do you want to get the most out of your oral care routine? Sure, we all do. The problem is that many people already think they're doing all they can when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums at home. While you might be doing a good job, there are typically things that you can do to improve this routine.
Of course, visiting your Georgia dentist is part of good oral health. In fact, you should be visiting a dentist at least twice a year. If you're looking for a dentist you can count on in Georgia, consider visiting Dental One Associates of Georgia. We offer a wide range of dental services. In between visits, however, you should follow these tips. They will ensure that you truly are getting the most out of your dental care routine.
1. Start With Brushing Your Teeth
It's a good idea to cover the basics first. Brushing your teeth might sound simple, but it's something that many people take for granted. In short, many people aren't brushing their teeth enough or properly.
How often should you brush your teeth? The correct answer is after every meal or snack. However, that's impossible in some situations. That's why dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you can't brush, chew on sugar-free gum to help clean your teeth after a meal.
When you're brushing your teeth, make sure that you're brushing for at least two minutes. If you're having trouble keeping up with the time, there are mechanical toothbrushes that keep track of the time for you. You could also set a timer on your phone. A good idea is to section your mouth into quarters, and clean each quarter for at least 30 seconds.
2. Floss Before Going to Bed
How often do you floss your teeth? Unfortunately, the answer for many people is not enough. You're supposed to be flossing at least once a day. By flossing right before you go to bed, you can remove food particles that might have gotten stuck in between your teeth throughout the day. These are food particles that brushing alone can't remove. Flossing is a great way to keep both your teeth and gums healthy.
There are a couple of options for you to choose from when it comes to flossing. You could use a water flosser to make the process easier. If you can't afford a water flosser, then traditional floss is just fine. It really doesn't matter which option you choose as long as you still floss every day.
3. Be Careful What You Snack On
What you eat has a huge impact on the overall health of your mouth. If your diet is full of sugary foods, you're fueling the bacteria in your mouth. This is an even bigger problem if you're unable to brush after eating.
When you reach for a snack in between meals, healthier options tend to be better for your teeth. Put down the sugary snack, and pick up some vegetables instead. Your teeth will be happy you did.
Beyond watching what you eat, you should consider what you drink. Water is your best bet if you like to sip on something throughout the day.
Sipping on soda has a number of negative consequences. Firstly, many sodas are full of sugar. Just like eating sugary food, soda feeds the bacteria in your mouth. Secondly, soda has citric acid in it, which eats away at your enamel every time you take a sip. Thus, sipping on soda all day is very bad for your teeth.
4. Certain Foods Can Stain Your Teeth
Everyone wants white teeth, but keeping your teeth white can be hard. Like how you have to watch what you eat to keep your teeth healthy, you have to watch what you eat to keep your teeth white. Certain foods can actually stain your teeth the more you eat them. Dark berries and tomato sauces are just two examples of such foods. If you want to avoid staining your teeth, keep the consumption of these foods to a minimum.
Of course, drinks can stain your teeth as well. Such beverages include red wine, soda and coffee. Unlike with food, however, you can still enjoy these beverages without staining your teeth. For example, try drinking them through a straw to limit the contact that they have with your teeth. This can help limit the possibility of staining.
5. Your Teeth Are Not Tools
The amount of tasks that people use their teeth for besides chewing food is startling. All the time, they use their teeth to open bags, take off bottle tops or even hold objects when their hands are full. What they might not notice is that they're damaging their teeth. The weaker their teeth get, the more likely they are to crack.
What can you do about it? Don't use your teeth for tasks that your teeth aren't designed for. Even if you don't feel pain, it is still hurting your teeth.
6. Pick the Right Toothbrush
You already know how important brushing is, but did you know that what you brush with also matters? When picking out a toothbrush, you need to pick one that has bristles of varying lengths. This allows more contact with the surfaces of your teeth. You should also pick one that has soft bristles. Hard or medium bristles can actually damage the enamel on your teeth.
Visit Us for All of Your Dental Needs
There's only so much you can do for your teeth at home. At some point, you're still going to need the professional help of a dentist. If you need a dentist in Georgia for you and your family, consider Dental One Associates of Georgia. We proudly offer a wide range of dental services from basic cleanings to root canals.
Not sure if you need dental work? Give us a call. You should come in for a checkup at least twice a year anyway. During this checkup, we can examine your mouth and clean away any plaque on your teeth. Call our office to schedule an appointment today.
