Tips and Tricks to Great Oral Health
Oral hygiene is a must if you want to keep your brilliant smile. oral health
1. Brushing. You may know you need to do this at least twice a day, but are you doing it right? The right brush is imperative. Choose a soft, nylon brush with round-ended bristles so as to avoid irritation of the teeth and gums, recommends the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. HOW you brush your teeth is important too. Be sure to position the bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle so that they reach the tooth surface and gums. Use a gentle back-and-forth rolling motion, beginning at the gums and moving towards the tooth surface.
2. Flossing. Despite the recent news that says flossing isn’t necessary for oral health, dental professionals and organizations still tout its benefits. You’ll need about 18 inches of floss to start. Hold it tightly between your fingers and make sure you’re getting up into the gums when you floss so as to remove accumulated food particles that can cause plaque.
3. Healthy eating. Get your recommended daily allowance of calcium from milk, supplements, low-fat dairy products, salmon, nuts and green leafy vegetables. You’ll also need vitamin D to absorb calcium, which comes from the sun, milk, and salmon. oral health Don’t forget Vitamin K to ensure strong teeth, from sources like meats, fish, eggs, whole grains, bananas and spinach.
4. Fluoride application. You can achieve this via a direct application at the dentist or as part of oral supplements. Reader’s Digest says fluoride fights decay and reduces the rate of cavities by as much as 60 percent. Oral healthMany communities fluoridate their water supply, or you can even get it through fluoridated toothpaste or beverages.
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5. Quit smoking. This can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, as smoking can weaken and stain your teeth — not to mention it causes chronic bad breath.
6. Visit the dentist regularly. The ADA says both adults and children should get cleanings from the dentist twice per year. Your dentist can take a look at your teeth to make sure they’re in good shape, check for cavities, and take x-rays that can detect structural problems. If you fail to go to the dentist regularly, you could be setting yourself up for developing infection, gingivitis, and tooth decay.
7. Don’t eat sugary, sticky foods. We all know that cookies and cakes can cause cavities. But did you know you should also avoid crackers, fish crackers, chips, dried fruits, and raisins? Those foods can stay in the teeth for a long time, convert to sugar, and cause cavities. Steer clear of fruit snacks, cookies, bread sticks, taffy and hard candy. If you do splurge, brush your teeth afterwards to get the extra food particles out before they do damage.
Schedule your next cleaning with Dr. Gary C. Demetriou, D.M.D. today at 978-794-0010. We would be happy to go over some more tips and tricks for good oral health!