Brush your teeth twice a day
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
- Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Floss between your teeth daily
- The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss). Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Cleaning between your teeth helps remove a sticky film called plaque. Plaque contains bacteria that feeds on leftover food or sugar in your mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities.
Eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary snacks
- So what you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also that of your teeth and gums
- Limit added sugars in your diet by reading food labels to determine the amount of added sugar in a food.
- Since ingredients are listed on the label in order of weight, from most to least, if one of the following terms is listed as one of the first few ingredients, it’s a good bet that food is high in sugar.
See your Dentist regularly
- Regular visits are key to a healthy smile, so start with the details that work best with your lifestyle and dental care needs.
- Your dental health is such a vital part of your overall health, so it’s important for every patient to have a dental home.