According to the CDC, 1 and 5 adults over the age of 65 have untreated tooth decay, with about 2 in 3 adults suffering from gum disease. Afraid to be a part of that statistic? Luckily our dental hygienists are trained to treat and advise you on all oral health related concerns.
We’ve asked our dental hygienists for a list of best practices so that you can optimize the health of your mouth- check it out:
5 Best Tips from Our Dental Hygienists
- Brush Your Mouth Properly: Cleaning your mouth is more than just brushing your teeth. In order to keep your smile stellar, your toothbrush should hit your checks, tongue, and roof of your mouth. Purchasing tools like a tongue scraper and mouthwash can help as well.
- Re-mineralize Your Teeth: During the day, your mouth loses fluoride. This mineral helps keep our teeth strong, acting as protection against cavities. In order to re-strengthen your teeth, try leaving a bit of fluoride toothpaste in your mouth or invest in some fluoride mouthwash. Using mouthwash can re-mineralize, neutralize, and clean your mouth; but just remember, no eating or drinking for 30 minutes after you rinse!
- Don’t Skip the Floss: Whether you like it or not, flossing is a crucial part of keeping your mouth free of disease. Floss allows you to reach all of these awkward spots where plaque buildup is most common. Ignoring these areas can damage your gums, leading to gum disease.
- Avoid Sugary Beverages: Soda, lemonade, and sweet tea might be tasty- but your mouth pays the price! Bacteria feeds off of sugar and produces acid which can cause tooth erosion. Limit your liquid sugar intake and your mouth will thank you.
- Eat Crunchy Fruits and Veggies and Drink Plenty of Water: Consuming hard fruits and veggies can help your mouth produce more saliva, nature’s way of rinsing unwanted bacteria and balancing your mouths pH. Staying hydrated is also recommended; water will help rinse away germs and food particles that linger.
These tips are a great way to practice proper oral care at home, although visiting your dentist every 6 months will optimize your mouth’s health. When you visit your dentist you receive a cleaning, exam, and x-ray- which all of our dental hygienists agree is a crucial part to maintaining a strong, sparkling smile!