When it comes to dental care, it’s much easier to maintain a healthy mouth than it is to rely on the dentist to correct poor dental hygiene for you. Maintaining that just-out-of-the-dentist feeling is not as difficult as you would think. Here are some tips that can help you keep your teeth clean in between dentist visits.
An occasional soda isn’t going to hurt you, but your best bet is to stick to water. If you need extra flavor, try adding some fruit or mint leaves to it.
In addition to cutting back on soda, decreasing your sugar intake will also help keep your teeth clean and healthy in between regular teeth cleaning appointments.
Sugar promotes bacterial growth and acidity in your mouth, causing plaque to form. Plaque attacks your tooth enamel and gums, potentially leading to tooth decay. You don’t have to kick sugar to the curb completely, but limiting the amount you consume — and brushing and flossing after a sweet treat — will benefit your overall oral health.
Smoking is terrible for your teeth. No matter how clean they get when you visit the dentist, continuing to smoke in between appointments will undo all the work that took place at your last appointment.
The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes eat away at your gums. Smoking also increases bacterial production and plaque in the mouth, making you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. If you’re a smoker, you may also be at a higher risk for tooth loss and oral cancer.
If the answer to any of those questions was no, it’s time to adjust your tooth brushing technique a bit. Those techniques have been proven to be the most effective when it comes to getting teeth clean. You may also want to talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about proper brushing and flossing technique next time you’re at the office.
To truly clean between your teeth without causing damage, keep the following steps in mind.
First, wrap about two inches of floss between your fingers and unroll a fresh section for each tooth. Keep the floss tight against the tooth to break up plaque without hurting your gums. Also, be sure to floss behind the last molar in your mouth to ensure a thorough clean.
Be gentle, otherwise, your regular brushing will start to be a hindrance to your overall oral health.
Chewing gum increases saliva production. Saliva’s natural antibacterial properties will help prevent bacteria from feeding off food remnants in your mouth, which can lead to plaque build-up and dental decay.
