It's Important to Practice At-Home Dental Care Between Cleanings
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At Advanced Dentistry of Centre County, our expert dental team recommends that you get your teeth cleaned every six months. Proper cleaning ensures the protection of your teeth and prevents plaque from spreading and potentially causing problems with your smile.
Regular dental cleanings aren’t enough, you’ll need to take your oral hygiene into your own hands in between visits. We recommend a few points for your at-home care routine to keep your teeth healthy.
Be sure to watch your diet
Your daily diet can influence the health of your teeth. You can use these tips to help you keep your teeth clean in between sessions:
- Avoid consuming as much sugar, as sugar can trigger bacterial growth around your teeth.
- Avoid soda and other sugar-heavy drinks. The acids in these drinks can harm your enamel.
- Be cautious when eating hard foods. Excess pressure on your teeth can result in potential harm.
Brush the right way
While it’s essential to brush your teeth a few times each day, at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA, we want to make sure you are brushing the right way. You can use the recommendations below to help with your at-home dental care:
- Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. The angle should cover enough areas of your teeth, ensuring you won’t miss anything while brushing.
- Be gentle when brushing your teeth. Excess force might make it harder for you to reach all parts of your teeth.
- Circular strokes help you reach the top and bottom parts of the teeth.
- Spend enough time brushing during each session. Brush for about two minutes at a time.
Don’t forget to floss
Many people forget to floss their teeth after brushing, but it is a necessary point to follow. Brushing is a small part of what works when caring for your teeth. Flossing helps you get in between the teeth, as you’re removing food debris and other items stuck in between the teeth. Your risk of developing dental plaque will be minimal when you floss each day.
Is chewing gum safe?
Chewing gum can be safe, although it depends on what you chew. Sugar-free gum is helpful, as it keeps your breath fresh while removing some food residue. Be sure whatever gum you chew is safe on your teeth and doesn’t contain lots of sugar. It should also be something that won’t remain in your mouth for too long.
Always clean your tongue
The idea of cleaning your tongue might sound unappealing, but proper brushing of the tongue helps you clear old food particles while reducing the number of bacteria that could enter your teeth. Your tongue will also feel fresh and comfortable after you finish cleaning.
Avoid smoking
The last tip to follow is to avoid smoking when possible. Smoking can harm your teeth by not only staining them but also by eroding the enamel around your gums. Your risk of tooth loss will be higher if you are a smoker, as you are putting your teeth at general harm.
Contact us today to learn more about keeping up with your dental hygiene
If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist and you are concerned about your dental hygiene, contact us today to schedule a twice-annual dental cleaning session at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA. But don’t forget to care for your teeth in between your visits. Proper care is critical for ensuring your dental health.