Proper dental hygiene can seem like a time-consuming task, but it doesn’t have to be! The dentists and orthodontists at City Place Dental have compiled 5 easy habits we regularly share with our patients in Silver Spring, Maryland that will help you keep your smile happy and healthy.
1. Brushing
Although this may seem like an obvious habit, brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important and easy ways to keep your teeth healthy. Try and position your toothbrush against your teeth and gums and brush for 2 minutes in the morning and at night before bed each day.
2. Flossing
While flossing is one of the more time consuming dental hygiene habits we encourage for our patients, it has been proven to not only keep your mouth and gums healthy, but also help prevent heart disease and stroke. Flossing allows you to reach deep between your teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach and remove problematic bacteria, food, and plaque. We recommend flossing at least once a day.
3. Limit Sodas, Coffee, and Alcohol
Although sodas, coffee, and alcohol each contain a high level of phosphorous which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body’s level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored.
4. Consume Calcium and Other Vitamins
Consuming certain beneficial vitamins is another simple way to keep teeth and gums healthy. Calcium is one of the most important vitamins to ensure healthy teeth along with Vitamin D, copper, zinc, iron, and potassium. You can find these vitamins in nutrient rich foods including milk, fortified orange juice, yogurt, broccoli, cheese and other dairy products as well as in daily supplements.
5. Clean Your Tongue
We recommend that our patients clean the surface of their tongue daily. By brushing and cleaning your tongue, you remove countless bacteria that otherwise live on the rougher top surface of your tongue. These can contribute to bad breath (halitosis) and negatively affect your dental hygiene.
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These 5 habits are a great starting point to ensure a healthy smile in the years to come. If you still have questions about proper dental hygiene, you can schedule an appointment with our skilled dentists and orthodontists at City Place Dental.
