4 Easy Steps to a Healthier, Happier Mouth

Dental care is one of those things that many people “will get to later”. Sometimes it can seem like a hassle, but we’re here to let you know that taking care of your teeth for a happier, whiter smile is really quite easy! We’ve provided 4 Easy Steps to taking care of your dental health for a brighter smile and a happier you.

Brush Right

While there is not a one-size-fits-all technique, One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular or elliptical motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth.

Place your toothbrush on your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush in an circular motion. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, the chewing surfaces and between teeth.

Using a back-and-forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender. You also risk irritating and wearing down the gum line.

Flossing Daily

Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque! While your toothbrush cleans the tops and sides of your teeth, dental floss cleans between them where a lot of plaque and bacteria like to hang out. Many people just don’t spend enough time flossing and many have never been taught to floss properly.

Use about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around your middle or index fingers.

Wrap the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes used.

Hold the floss firmly between your two hands, with about an inch of floss between them. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion. Don’t jam or pop the floss into your gums. This can cause bleeding and irritation of the gum line.

When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance.

While holding the floss against the tooth, gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.

Use a new section of the floss between each tooth.

Cut Down on Sugary snacks and drinks

We’ve all heard that sugar is bad for teeth…and for good reason! Sugar fuels bacteria growth and acid production in your mouth. This causes plaque to form on your teeth and the acid eats away at your teeth and gums.

From sugar in your morning coffee to a cookie at lunch or ice cream in the evening we are bombarding our teeth with tooth decaying acid after each sweet treat.

So, what can we do about it? The first thing is to cut back on sweets. I know, I know, that’s hard to do, but if you want a clean, healthy mouth it’s the first step.

Next, make sure you are brushing and flossing at least twice a day. We’ve already talked about the proper technique above, so you should be ready for happier teeth and healthier gums.

If you have a “sweet tooth” or cravings for sweets throughout the day, a nifty trick is to brush your teeth. The sweetness of the toothpaste and the fresh feeling of your mouth will often suppress the cravings. Not only will your teeth thank you, but your waistline may as well!

Visit your Dentist on a regular basis

This may seem like a no-brainer, but we can’t emphasize this enough. When you come in for a regular checkup we will be better equipped to find anything potentially harmful that may be hiding behind your smile.

We can also help by giving you demonstrations of proper techniques and answer any questions you may have about your dental health.

In addition, we offer a lot of cosmetic solutions for straighter teeth and a whiter smile.

We take your smile and your dental health seriously and you should too. Call us today at (281) 681-9600 or schedule an appointment. We would love to join you on your journey to a healthier, happier mouth.

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