It’s recommended you visit the dentist every six months to undergo a deep cleaning, get X-rays done and see if anything has grown or developed in your mouth. However, that’s only twice a year. What do you do during the rest of the year when you’re not getting the full works at the dentist office from Brad Dixon, DMD? The time you spend on your teeth outside of the dentist office is actually what makes your appointments better and your mouth healthier. You have to follow a strict regimen of cleanliness and care to prevent issues, and taking small steps daily will lead to less severe problems in the long run. Hare are three preventative dental tips to keep your pearly whites in pristine condition.
1. Never jump into bed without brushing.
You all know the drill – brush twice a day to keep cavities away. While this is something people learn, many still struggle making it a reality. However, it’s a major no no to go to sleep with all those germs, bacteria and plaque from the day still on your teeth. When you sleep, the bacteria sits in your mouth with nowhere to go since you aren’t eating or drinking, and an eight-hour lapse with the same germs sitting around can cause serious problems. Taking the extra 2-3 minutes to brush will leave your mouth much better off in the morning and help you sleep better because you’ll be laying down with a clean mouth and fresh breath. Who wants their delicious garlic bread from lunch swimming around in their mouth all night?
2. Make sure you’re brushing the right way.
If you do everything you’re supposed to do to maintain healthy teeth but are still ending up with cavities or dental problems, you may be brushing the wrong way. You’re supposed to brush in gentle circular motions. Check out these tips to brush up on your cleaning techniques. Brushing the wrong way can lead to plaque build-up which can contribute to early-onset gingivitis. The better you brush, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
3. Don’t forget about your tongue.
If you struggle with bad breath problems, your tongue could be to blame. That’s where a lot of excess plaque can build up, not only contributing to stinky breath but also other dental-health issues. Spend some time brushing your tongue during your dental routine. This will get more germs out of your mouth and probably end up saving you money on breath mints because you won’t have to buy as many. You can use the bristles on the brush, or many toothbrushes come with an exfoliating patch on the back of the toothbrush head for cleaning your tongue. Either approach works.
While food choices and genes play into your overall dental health, your actions also have a big role in what kind of mouth you’ll have. The dentist can’t do all the work; instead, it’s up to you to instill smart practices into your everyday routine to keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible.