Believe it or not, our goal here at Oyster Point Dentistry (Newport News, Va) is to only see you twice a year for routine check-ups and cleaning. That means you are dentally happy and healthy. If you're here for any other reason, we of course are here to restore you to full dental health. Our preventative care web page offers good tips. We go a bit farther in this blog post to help educate you further. What follows are ten simple and routine dental hygiene measures you should take:
- Brush properly: One of the easiest steps to do to help your teeth keep clean. When brushing your teeth, position the bristles at an angle of 45 degrees near the gum line. Both the gum line and the tooth surface should be in contact with the bristles. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using a back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, making sure to be done gently in order to avoid bleeding. To clean the inside surfaces of the teeth and gums, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle again and repeat the back-and-forth, up-and-down motion. Lastly, brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath.
Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your work or activities prevent you from doing this, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating to minimize the amount of food that would serve as substrate for the bacteria. - Floss! Flossing removes food particles and other detrimental substances that brush can't. Flossing allows you to reach deep between your teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach or even mouthwash cannot wash away. Floss daily and strive for twice a day.
- Avoid Tobacco. This can and will save you from oral cancer and periodontal complication risk. It will save you from the ill-effects of things you use to mask "smoker's breath": candy, coffee, tea, or sugar based breath mints.
- Limit Sodas, Coffee and Alcohol. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Choose beverages like milk which actually strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel.
- Consume Calcium and other Vitamins that are good for the body. You need plenty of calcium for your teeth. It is essential for the teeth as well as your bones. It is better to drink milk, fortified orange juice and to eat yogurt, broccoli, cheese, and other dairy products. You can also take a calcium supplement, taking different doses according to your age and necessity as per prescription. Calcium and Vitamin D are necessary for maintaining the health of gums and teeth. Vitamin B complex is also essential for the protection of gums and teeth from cracking and bleeding. Copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium are also required for maintaining healthy dental hygiene.
- Visit Your Dentist. As previoulsy stated, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full hygiene treatment performed. Also at these appointments, a comprehensive exam is taken with x-rays to help detect and prevent future dental treatments from occurring.
- Use Mouthwash along side brushing and flossing. Mouthwash is very helpful because they kill bacteria in your mouth. This promotes good breath as well as help maintain strong teeth.
- Having a toothache or noticing other dental symptoms. If you are having tooth and jaw pain make an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist needs to diagnose the underlying cause and correct it before it turns into a greater problem.
- Look at the Big Picture. Everyone understands that you should take care of your teeth to avoid toothaches, maintain your looks and keep dental bills at bay. Many people, however, don’t understand how crucial oral health is to our total health picture. Tooth problems can lead to diabetes, heart disease, systemic infections, an inability to eat or speak properly and other maladies – some life-threatening. Crooked or crowded teeth can contribute to gum disease that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Straight teeth are no longer just for looks.
- Clean your tongue. Clean the surface of your tongue daily. By using a professional tongue cleaner you remove countless bacteria that otherwise live, particularly on the rougher top surface of your tongue. These can contribute to bad breath (halitosis) and negatively affect your dental health.
We're also here to answer your general questions. Please feel free to call us anytime with questions about how you can improve your smile and overall dental health.
