Nothing beats a healthy smile! We know we should take care of our teeth and gums, but sometimes it’s good to go back and review the basics. Here are some simple things to remember when caring for your mouth.
Brush: Brush your teeth two times a day, for two minutes each time. Do this every day. This is a great time to listen to your favorite music, plan, or reflect on the day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Brush using gentle pressure and short, back-and-forth strokes. Brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces.
Floss: Floss once every day for 2-3 minutes. Use about 18” of floss; place it in between teeth and use a gentle sawing motion to clear plaque and debris from in-between teeth.
Chew Gum: After you eat, acids in your food make your teeth extra-sensitive to abrasion. Try to avoid brushing directly after eating-instead, chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes. Sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, cleaning teeth without feeding sugar to the bacteria that cause cavities.
Eat Well: In addition to cleaning your mouth well, you need to fuel it well! Pack your diet with nutrient-dense foods, with lots of calcium, phosphorous, protein, and vitamins. As you do this, there will be less room for sticky, starchy, sugary foods. Your mouth–and your overall health–will thank you.
Visit Your Dentist: Finally, be sure to support your home dental hygiene routine with professional cleanings and checkups with Dr. Pete Olberding. If you are in the West Des Moines, Iowa area, call E. P. True Dental - West Des Moines, IA at (515) 224-9899 to schedule your appointment today!