Floss!
Save your gums and ward off unwanted cavities. While brushing for 2 minutes is a big step in the right direction, sometimes stubborn plaque will stick on your teeth, which is where flossing comes in! This oral hygiene step is especially important for patients with permanent retainers or braces, as food is more likely to stick.
Regular Dental Cleanings
Plaque is a sneaky thing, and even with regular brushing and flossing, you can still miss a spot! Thankfully, a professional cleaning will do the trick! A trip to one of our offices will set you at ease. During your visit, our hygienists provide you with a warning of early signs of gum disease and give tips on how to get your gums back to perfect health! To book an appointment for a regular cleaning, click here.
Avoid Smoking
Who wants bad breath? Smoking is heavily associated with gum disease and poor oral hygiene, which can weaken your body’s infection fighters. Once gum disease develops due to smoking, it isn’t easy to get rid of. Regularly smoking can also cause tooth discoloration and later lead to gum infections, as reported by the CDC. Preserve your gorgeous grin by avoiding this habit altogether!
Brush Twice A Day
Strategy is key! Here are a few key factors the Mayo Clinic recommends to ensure your teeth are properly cleaned at home: Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and for at least two minutes. This ensures you’re covering your entire mouth. Pro-tip: remember to brush your tongue as well! Tons of bacteria hang out on it and can cause bad breath and cavities. Use a quality toothbrush with soft bristles, so it isn’t doing more harm than good, and invest in a dentist-approved fluoride toothpaste. We recommend The Oral- B IO or Oral-B Genius for the a better clean. Also, according to Healthline, you should probably skip the charcoal toothpaste! . Have the correct brushing form – gentle circles aimed toward the gums. Brushing too harshly can cause unnecessary damage to your gums and lead to bleeding. Routine oral hygiene is crucial for a variety of reasons, and preventing gum disease is the best way to protect your teeth and gums! If you think you may need to talk to a dentist about your tooth or gum health, book an appointment with us! We’re here to help you protect something important to you–your smile.
Author Dr. John M. Garcia D.D.S. Dr. Garcia graduated from Georgetown University Dental School in Washington, DC in 1988. While there, he earned honors from the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He then studied at the highly acclaimed Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. While there, he learned more highly detailed techniques for the whole masticatory system. Dr. Garcia also trained in the Dawson Philosophy of Occlusion and the Concept of Complete Dentistry, both of which he now follows. Dr. Garcia has been in private practice as a dentist since 1990, and he strives to keep up with the latest advances in the dental field so he can offer the most effective and advanced care to his patients. Dr. Garcia specializes in helping patients improve their smile through skilled dental care and the latest technological advances in the world of dentistry.
