October isn’t just about costumes and candy. It’s also about taking care of your teeth and gums so they can be healthy for the rest of your life. When you’re having your Halloween fun this month, remember that excellent oral hygiene will keep your fangs healthy for when you go out haunting next year. Here are three habits for a daily hygiene routine that will keep your teeth in tip-top shape year-round!
Have Plaque? Fight Back! Here’s Why You Should Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is one of the best things you can do for your dental health because it can remove plaque and food debris from most of the surfaces of your teeth. You should do it for two minutes at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth using gentle, circular motions. This will clear away plaque and dislodge stuck tooth particles, setting you up to smile with pride.
Show Food Debris Who’s Boss with Dental Floss
As great as brushing your teeth is, it can’t do the whole oral hygiene job alone. Dental floss can eliminate plaque and food debris from the places between your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Cut off about two or three feet of floss and hold a segment of it taut between your hands. Slide this segment between two teeth and move it side to side and up and down as you press it against one side and then the other. Move on to a clean segment and repeat the process between another pair of teeth. Keep doing this until you have given your whole smile this treatment.
Don’t Let Germs Live So Posh. Let ‘Em Have It with Antibacterial Mouthwash
While mouthwash won’t replace brushing your teeth, it isn’t just extra hygiene credit for clean freaks either. Using antibacterial mouthwash is a necessary finishing touch for a complete oral hygiene session. A thorough rinse with this germ-destroying potion will kill more than 99% of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. It will also leave your breath minty and your mouth feeling fresh.
While practicing excellent oral hygiene is a crucial part of maintaining your dental health, it isn’t enough. You also need to keep up with regular dental appointments. This allows your dentist to monitor your teeth, make recommendations for better hygiene techniques, and treat any issues in their early stages. When you put proper hygiene and professional dental attention together, you’re setting your teeth up for a lifetime of good health.
About the Author
Dr. David C. Parsons earned his dental doctorate at Baylor School of Dentistry and has completed hundreds of hours in continuing education covering topics like orthodontics, dental implants, and oral surgery. He serves as a member of the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association. His office in Winfield, KS offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on taking care of your teeth, contact the office online or dial (620) 293-7005.