How often do you brush your teeth each day? Do you always remember to floss? What may seem like minor steps in your oral healthcare routine could be essential for keeping serious concerns like infected teeth or gum disease at bay. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS, dentist explains the benefits of proper brushing and flossing.
Brushing Your Teeth
When we take time to clean our teeth each day, we remove the food particles that could otherwise be broken down by bacteria, a process that leads to plaque buildup and eventually, eroded enamel and inflamed gum tissues. These factors are the major causes of both tooth decay and gum disease! To remove particles from home, you should start by brushing your teeth when you wake up and doing so again before bed. Each session should take about two minutes and reach every available surface. Be sure you use a fluoride toothpaste too, as this strengthens the enamel. We also suggest picking a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent inadvertent damage to enamel or irritated gum tissues.
Flossing Daily
Food particles could still remain trapped between the teeth or along the gum line, out of reach of a toothbrush. To avoid cavities and gum disease, you should floss every night before bed. Flossing means you clean the spaces between the teeth, running the floss tape up and down each side of every tooth, and dipping below the gum line when you do. Remember, removing food particles and controlling plaque buildup also helps freshen breath and could even fight the onset of severe teeth stains!
Other Helpful Tips
You should also cut back on sugary foods and drinks, and meals high in starch, as these leave behind particles for bacteria to consume. Also, while brushing and flossing limit plaque severity, only a professional dental cleaning every six months completely removes the buildup, and is necessary to maintain optimal oral health. If you should notice your teeth feeling sensitive or aching, or your gums feeling sore or bleeding, then let us know, as these could be early indicators of serious oral health issues. If you have any questions about protecting your smile’s health from home, or if you or a member of your family need a checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today. With steps both at home and in our office, you can help maintain a strong, bright, and functional smile.
Do You Have Questions About Homecare?
We know that routine care, combined with regular office visits, is the best way to keep teeth bright and strong. To learn more about improving oral health from home, then schedule your consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.