Visiting the dentist every six months is only one part of a good dental health routine. Are you wondering how you can maintain your oral health between your twice annual checkup and cleaning with the Virginia Beach dentist? Dr. Javeed at Smile Care Family Dentistry has some important tips.
#1: Brush for (exactly) two minutes
Clean teeth require thorough cleaning — and that means brushing for exactly two minutes, every single time. Don’t slack off on this aspect of your dental hygiene routine! Brush each quadrant of the mouth for 30 seconds. Need help reaching the two-minute mark? Try setting a timer, or using the stopwatch on your smartphone. Better yet, invest in an electric toothbrush. These come with an automatic timer that will let you know when you’ve gotten a full clean.
#2: Don’t forget the floss
Surely you’ve seen the recent news that flossing is unnecessary according to the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. But you know what? It’s not true. Flossing is absolutely vital to good oral health. It’s the only way to remove the food particles between teeth, where your toothbrush just can’t reach. The recommendation was dropped from the dietary guidelines due to a lack of conclusive evidence of the benefits of flossing — but as one expert pointed out, we wouldn’t test the benefits of jumping out of a plane with a parachute versus without a parachute. Prevent gum disease and tooth decay by flossing at least once a day.
#3: Don’t smoke
You know smoking is bad for your overall well-being, and that certainly includes your oral health, too. Tobacco use of any kind is a leading cause of gum disease, tooth loss, tooth decay, and oral cancer. The substance reduces saliva flow and prevents proper healing, a bad combination for your teeth and gums. Kick the habit and watch your oral and overall health improve.
#4: Watch the sugar
Between your dental appointments, keep an eye on the amount of sugar you are consuming to maintain clean, healthy teeth and gums. You already know the common sugar sources, like sodas, candy, and most desserts. But many people don’t give enough thought to the hidden sugar bombs, like sweetened yogurts, cereal bars, juices, and other tasty treats. Check out the nutrition facts on your daily snacks to find out if you’re exposing your teeth and gums to more sugar than you realized.
#5: Protect your teeth
Avoid dental injuries between visits to the dentist in Virginia Beach by protecting your teeth from the most common problem-causers. Do you play a sport? Athletes of all ages and levels of competition should invest in a custom-fit mouthguard. And if you grind your teeth at night, getting fit for a nighttime mouth guard protects your teeth from excessive impact. Give some thought to your habits, too, and stop nail biting, pen chewing, and using your teeth as tools to protect your teeth from injury.
Most importantly, don’t forget to schedule your appointment with Dr. Javeed every six months. Preventive dental care is vital for healthy smiles!