An easy life often comes down to taking little steps every day. You leave your clothes out for the next day the night before so you can save time in the morning. You check the traffic before you go anywhere so you can get there faster. You save a little money every day so it’s there when you really need it. This approach can also do a lot of good for your teeth. Most of your dental care occurs at home, so here are 3 tips from your dentist in Lincoln, Dr. Louis Olberdring, on how to keep your teeth healthy day-in and day-out.
1. It All Starts with You
Of course the most basic part of keeping your teeth healthy is to routinely brush and floss. They are some of the best ways to keep your teeth clean of harmful plaque and bacteria. You’ve probably heard this a million times since you were a small child. What you may not have heard is that most adults actually brush their teeth incorrectly. This tends to happen because we all learned to brush at a very young age and probably haven’t given it much conscious thought since then. Here are some little details many people miss when they brush:
- Brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
- Brush at least two minutes each time (set a timer).
- Make sure to brush every side of every tooth
- Use a gentle circular motion
This gentle circular motion is better for breaking up plaque than simply scrubbing back and forth.
Of course, every time you brush, you need to floss as well. It doesn’t matter which order you do them in, just as long as you always do both. Whenever you forget to floss, you leave about 40% of your teeth’s surfaces uncleaned. Use 12-18 inches of floss every time and be sure to floss in-between each tooth. It shouldn’t take too much force to do this, so be gentle!
2. Limit the Sugar
Firstly, we’re not telling you that you need to give up sugary treats altogether. That would be unreasonable. We’re only saying that by limiting them a bit you can do a lot of good for your teeth. Sugary drinks like sodas and juices help accelerate the formation of plaque than can decay your teeth, so drinking a few more glasses of water when you’re thirsty throughout the day can make a big difference. Try to avoid grazing on sweet treats like candy all day, as this provides a consistent source of sugar onto your teeth. Snack on something like nuts or cheese when you’re hungry, or maybe try chewing some sugar-free gum between meals.
3. Don’t Forget Us!
The last part of your complete oral hygiene routine is to be sure and see your dentist in Lincoln at least twice a year. A professional cleaning from one our team is able to clean surfaces on your teeth that you aren’t able to reach with brushing and flossing. Also, an exam can help catch any dental issues you might have early, which can insure that treatment will be quicker and easier. Two days a year can make all the difference for your smile’s health, so be sure to come see us every 6 months or so.
Want More Tips?
Of course there are plenty of other tips that can benefit your teeth year around, so you should call us today if you’d like to hear about them. We’re dedicated to keeping your smile healthy in and out of the office, so be sure brush, floss, and come see us at Olberding Dental!