When you don’t take proper care of your smile at home, this could leave your smile vulnerable to tooth decay or even gingivitis or gum disease. To help safeguard your smile, you and your family need to care for your smiles from home. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about proper brushing and flossing habits.
The Reasons to Clean Your Teeth
Over time, the foods and drinks we consume can leave behind particles trapped on or between the teeth. Without proper action to remove the particles, they’re left for bacteria to consume. As this happens, the levels of oral acidity in your mouth elevate, and the bacteria leaves a sticky byproduct covering the teeth. Plaque hardens with time into tartar, and cannot be removed with a dental cleaning. The layer helps restore the outer enamel, and can irritate and inflame the gum tissues. Which means you’re now at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as bad breath and teeth stains too. But with proper brushing and flossing habits, you can control the buildup until we can remove it with a cleaning!
Brushing Your Teeth
You should brush your teeth when you wake up and again right before bed, every day without exception. We recommend a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect your enamel and gums, and you can opt for a manual or electric option, as long as you use it daily and properly. You want to clean the fronts, sides, and tops of your teeth, and make sure you brush gently along the gum line. The toothpaste you use matters too. You want one with fluoride, as this mineral can help strengthen outer enamel to make cavities less likely.
Flossing Daily
Before you brush in the evening, you also need to floss. Dental floss can reach in between the teeth in a way that a toothbrush’s bristles simply cannot. Whether you use a pick or string, you should clean up and down each side for every tooth, dipping below the gum line to extract trapped particles. This is an excellent way to keep gingivitis and gum disease at bay, so you don’t risk a disease that causes tooth loss for millions of people.
If you have any questions about improving how you brush and floss, or if you would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT GOOD ORAL HYGIENE HABITS
We would like to help you enjoy a healthy smile with better hygiene habits. If you would like to learn more about caring for your smile, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
