Tips for Effective Dental Care
Power toothbrushes are great, but you can also do an effective job with a regular toothbrush. The important thing is that you remember to do the following:
- Brush twice a day
- Select a brush with soft bristles
- Brush for at least two minutes
- Brush all surfaces of your teeth
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Apply firm pressure but don’t press too hard
- Hold brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums
Power toothbrushes are beneficial for people who are unable to provide enough pressure. Many power toothbrushes also contain sensors to make sure you aren’t applying too much pressure, which can be harmful to your teeth. One great feature that many power toothbrushes provide is a timer This is an excellent great way to remember to brush long enough, something that people often neglect to do.
Parents have a lot of questions about when they should start brushing their children’s teeth and what age kids should be when they start using toothpaste. The American Dental Association provides useful guidelines for parents about kids and brushing.
Floss Daily
It’s extremely important to floss every day in order to remove the plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. If the plaque between your teeth is not removed every day, it can result in cavities and gum disease. Unfortunately, many people report that they don’t floss because they find it painful or inconvenient. For those people, a dental irrigator like Waterpik is a gentle and effective alternative.
Smoking is Hazardous to Your Smile
Smoking is a huge threat to your smile. In fact, it’s the number one preventable cause of gum disease. And gum disease, which afflicts over 47% of Americans over 30, can eventually cause you to lose one or several of your teeth. In fact, smoking hurts your smile, and threatens your life, in the following ways:
- Stains teeth
- Causes gum disease
- Reduces success rate and lengthens recover from all types oral surgery
- Increased levels of plaque and tartar on your teeth
- Higher risk of developing several types of oral cancer
- Dries out you mouth
Alcohol and Your Smile
Drinking beverages containing alcohol can also damage your smile. For example, wine contains a significant amount of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. It can also stain your teeth. Any beverage containing alcohol will dry out your mouth. This limits your body’s ability to fight plaque and tartar, and this can result in additional incidents of cavities and gum disease.
Sugar and Your Smile
Foods containing sugar are a major cause of tooth decay. Try to limit your intake of sugary foods and avoid surgery snacks between meals. It’s also a great idea to offer your kids alternative snacks such as fruit.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Gunnison Dentist
You can protect the health of your smile by following these recommendations. Another great thing you can do for your smile is visit Dr. Scott Anderson in Gunnison for regular checkups. Give us a call us at Gentle Dental to schedule your appointment today.