At Boger Dental, we know your smile is part of what makes you unique. It affects how others perceive you, and more importantly, how you perceive yourself. And along with keeping your teeth straight, we also want to help you keep them clean so that when your treatment is over, your smile will look completely transformed. To help you out, here are a couple of tips from our well-trained team on how to best your shining smile.
Clean between your teeth
This is the tricky spot where a lot of grime can build up. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria that feeds on the excess sugar and food in your mouth. Over time this plaque hardens into tartar which sticks between your teeth and below your gum line. The acid produced by this plaque can erode away at your tooth’s enamel to create cavities and foster gum diseases like gingivitis. To combat this, it’s important to floss between your teeth. There are a variety of textures, flavors, and methods of floss, from string floss to dental picks to interdental brushes can make getting into the tight spaces and below the gum line easier to achieve. For a more thorough between the teeth and below the gum clean, a Waterpik is an oral pulsating irrigator that aims a strong stream of water precisely where you need to remove debris and other build-ups without effort or discomfort.
Don’t forget your tongue
It might be surprising to some to be told to brush your tongue, but it’s another common place where plaque can easily build up. This can lead to not only bad breath but also other oral health problems. Tooth decay can occur due to rampant bacterial activity in your mouth, and removing as many sources from your mouth as possible can defend yourself against oral disease.
Fluoride twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is important because the ingredient that makes toothpaste effective is fluoride. If the toothpaste you’re using does not properly contain this essential ingredient, you may not be protecting your teeth the way you should. Using fluoride in your oral hygiene routine while brushing can help strengthen your tooth’s enamel and prevent tooth decay. Take your time while brushing and move in gentle circular motions. Make sure to focus on each tooth to make sure you remove as much plaque and debris as possible without harming your gums.
Early start for kids
If you have children, it’s important to teach them healthy smile habits as early as you can. Children should be seen by a dentist within six months of their first tooth coming in but no later than age one to establish a foundation for their dental care. This is according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Start teaching your child to brush their teeth at an early age, and ask any question you or they may have about their oral hygiene routine with their dentist.
Eat a healthy diet
So much of your health connects back to your diet, both in your mouth and in your body beyond. Proper nutrients can boost your teeth’s overall health, but eating certain foods can either help or harm your teeth’s enamel surfaces. Fresh fruits and vegetables can not only help remove plaque build-up as you bite into them and chew, but they are also much more difficult for bacteria to break down as they don’t contain many of bacteria favorites like carbohydrates, fats, oils, and sugars. In contrast, consuming sugary foods feeds this bacteria that lead to gum disease, while acidic food and drinks can prematurely destroy your tooth’s protective enamel coating.
Rinse after meals
You may not be able to brush your teeth after every meal. But it’s much more possible for you to rinse the debris from your teeth and gums with some warm water or mouthwash. Mouthwash can help reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, reach deep between teeth where a toothpick can’t reach, and even remineralizes teeth.
Don’t use tobacco
Smoking can cause many detriments to your overall health, and that includes the health of your teeth and mouth. Tobacco use can cause bad breath and stain your teeth and tongue. It can cause slow healing from tooth extraction or other oral surgery and even make correcting some cosmetic dental concerns problematic. Using tobacco products also significantly increases your risk of gum disease and oral cancers. And even on an aesthetic level, tobacco can stain your teeth and erode their appearance.
Avoid oral piercings/protect from impact
Body piercing is a popular way to express yourself. But before you get oral piercings on your tongue, lips, cheeks, or uvula, it’s important to consider how they can be harmful to your tooth surfaces and overall oral health. The bacteria introduced can lead to infections and swelling in your mouth. The metal piercings can cause irreparable damage to your tooth surfaces and may interfere with getting clear images with X-rays and other dental imaging instruments.
Regular dental visits
There are many ways you can personally defend your teeth against plaque. However, your dentist is still an important player in protecting your mouth. Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups twice a year can maximize your protection and help spot potential issues before they become too severe. Your dentist has the tools and knowledge to spot cavities in the hardest-to-reach areas of your mouth and can give you a deep cleaning to clear any spots you may struggle to reach. When a dental emergency presents itself, make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentists as soon as possible. Many dental emergencies can be easily fixed if addressed quickly and properly.
Give your teeth the best at Boger Dental
Our office wants your smile to transform, and that requires the right orthodontist to help you out. No matter your age or where you are in your orthodontic journey, we want to guide you to a more confident smile every step of the way. Our expert lineup includes Dr. Boger, along with Dr. Madden, Dr. Scherweit, Dr. Betterman, Dr. Groth and Dr. Trapp. Each with years of dental education and experience under their belts!
To learn more about how to keep your smile healthy and how our team of experts can help you, schedule an initial consultation today. We look forward to helping you along your dental journey!