Between visits to the dentist, do you know how to care for your teeth properly? Most dentists recommend regular brushing and flossing and an attention to your diet to avoid foods that could damage your teeth.
After visiting your dentist,
your teeth will feel clean, smooth, and fresh. Often it takes just one meal post-visit to lose that feeling. While most dentists will give you instructions for caring for your teeth after your visit, you may forget those in the hassle of leaving the office, gathering your free toothbrush, and paying your bill. This guide will help you care for your teeth properly from one dental visit to the next.
Brushing
All dentists recommend brushing, and most people already have a brushing routine they follow. That said, you can tweak your routine to make it healthier for your teeth. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride on a soft bristled brush. Use a 45-degree angle near the gum line, brushing in a curricular motion. Do not push hard, because this can damage the enamel and the gums. Clean both sides and the bottom or top of each tooth. Brush at least two times every day, but after every meal is much better if possible.
Flossing
Many dentists have said, “You don’t have to floss all of your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.” Sadly, most people “forget” to floss on a regular basis, even if they are religious about brushing daily or twice a day. Flossing is important because it reaches places where your toothbrush cannot reach to remove food particles and plaque. Floss one time per day, and use only a small amount of pressure so that you do not injure the gums while flossing. If you find the dental floss to be difficult to maneuver, invest in some small flossing picks, which you can more easily insert between your teeth. Do not forget to floss behind your back teeth.
Diet
You may not realize that most dentists have dietary recommendations for their patients. Some foods are harder on your teeth than others. Foods containing sugars and starches, for instance, put a high amount of acid in the mouth, which will damage the teeth. Foods like hard candies that stay in the mouth for a long time are particularly dangerous, especially since most people will not brush their teeth after eating them.
Avoid dried fruits, starchy foods like breadsticks, chips and crackers, sugary gum, cakes, pies, cookies, or candies. If you do eat these foods, brush your teeth afterwards to remove the acid and sugar. High-acid drinks, like soda, also cause similar problems.
Routine Dental Visits
Dentists recommend visiting once every six months. Keep to this schedule to maintain oral health. The dentist will be able to remove particles, plaque, and tartar from your teeth that you cannot remove on your own. Do not wait until you are experiencing a problem to make a visit, but do make an additional visit if you have tooth or mouth pain, or bleeding, swollen gums. Remember that routine visits to the dentist are an affordable way to stop problems before they begin, or post potential problems before they become serious and expensive to fix.
