Thursday 22 December 2016

Mistakes to Avoid in Caring for Your Teeth

There is a lot of advice out there on what to do for your teeth. A simpler approach might be to let you know which mistakes are the worst and how to avoid them. Here is a list of things to avoid, with useful links to more in-depth information:

Forgetting to Clean Your Gums
Gingivitis results in diseased, inflamed, bleeding, and sore gums. Gingivitis is reversible if it is treated. If left untreated, it will turn into periodontitis, which is not reversible.

More on Periodontal Disease

With all the advice to floss, brush, use waterpiks, chew gum, drink water, avoid sugar, and use mouthwash, we hear a lot about what to do, but seldom about how best to do it.

It’s important to know how to brush gums adequately. The best method for brushing teeth at the gum-line is with a soft-bristled toothbrush with rounded bristles and at a 45-degree angle.

Moving the toothbrush in small circles helps to dislodge bacteria and food particles from the gum-line and helps to prevent and reverse gingivitis.

Allowing or Advancing Yellowing of Teeth
Yellowing teeth are a huge concern for some people. There is a never-ending selection of teeth-whitening products on the market, and they’re also available at the dentist.

However, you hardly find anyone who tells you how to avoid yellowing of the teeth beyond avoiding foods and drinks that can stain your teeth.

For instance, brushing your teeth immediately after you have any acidic food or drink will strip away your enamel, which makes your teeth more susceptible to yellowing. It’s best to wait 30 minutes after eating and drinking to brush your teeth.

How to Choose the Right Toothpaste

Don’t Underestimate Water
Whether you ingest water or use it to rinse your mouth, you may not be doing either enough. Waterpiks are especially useful in blasting away bacteria around the teeth and gums, but simply rinsing your mouth works wonders too. Drinking an adequate amount of water helps to keep saliva at a low viscosity, which helps to prevent bacteria from forming plaque. The average American doesn’t drink the right amount of water. Try having 8 cups of water a day.

More on Beverages and Brushing

There are many things to do for your teeth, but aim at the basics of brushing, flossing, and try to use a waterpik to adequately clean your mouth.

Remember to visit Studio City Dental Center twice a year to avoid dental issues down the road. Click here to schedule an appointment today.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/mistakes-avoid-caring-teeth/

Save Your Smile: Oral Hygiene Best Practices

One of the most important aspects of your health is having good oral hygiene. It results in healthy teeth and gums, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting smile. Here are some easy steps to take to ensure that your teeth are the healthiest they can be.

Brush Your Teeth Twice Per Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is important. It will eliminate plaque and prevent cavities as well as help fight bad breath and gum disease. When you brush your teeth, be sure to also brush your tongue. Doing so will eliminate even more bacteria.

Floss at Least Once a Day
Floss at least once a day to eliminate excess bacteria from between your teeth. It will prevent bacteria from getting under your gumline and minimize the amount of plaque in your mouth.

Drink Plenty of Water
One of the reasons you may have bad breath is that your mouth is too dry. Drinking plenty of water may help to prevent this problem. Six eight-ounce glasses of water are recommended each day. You should also cut down on drinks like soda and coffee, which can dry out your mouth.

See Your Dentist Regularly
You must always keep up on regular checkups with your dentist. Appointments should be scheduled once every six months. The dentist will take X-rays of your teeth, examine them, and give you a thorough cleaning. He or she can also perform additional procedures if necessary.

Limit Sugar Intake
Of course, sugar can harm your teeth if you eat too much of it. To avoid cavities, limit the amount of sugar you eat. This may be difficult if you have a sweet tooth, but a sugary snack should only be eaten as an occasional treat. And if possible, always brush your teeth after eating a sweet treat. The sooner you get that sugar off, the better!

Need a checkup and cleaning? Studio City Dental Center can help you out. Click here to schedule an appointment today.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/save-smile-oral-hygiene-best-practices/