May is Dental Care Awareness Month, providing a great opportunity to review you and your children’s daily oral hygiene routines. As a refresher, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth at least twice a day – perhaps when you wake up and right before you go to bed – but it is ideal to brush after every meal and snack as well. Remember, if you eat or drink something acidic, be sure to wait for about 30-minutes before brushing to avoid damaging your enamel.
Speaking of enamel damage, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and reconsider abrasive ingredients like charcoal and baking soda. These may help to remove some surface stains, but they can also harm restorations and aren’t right for everyone.
Flossing should be done before you brush your teeth in the morning and at night. It can be done in between meals as well if you feel like something is stuck. Studies have found that flossing before you brush helps to remove more plaque, bacteria, and food.
If you struggle with flossing or if your child needs help, consider a water flosser – and remember to be gentle. Forceful flossing can harm the gums.
Don’t Forget Professional Care
A solid daily routine will help to prevent cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease. It can also help to keep the teeth free of surface stains. But alone, your daily routine may not be enough to ensure you avoid all oral health problems.
Biannual visits (every six months) are recommended by the American Dental Association and fully covered by most dental insurance plans. That’s how important they are. These visits allow us to thoroughly clean all surfaces of your teeth, even below the gum line, removing tartar and stubborn stains for a healthier smile. They also allow us to detect minor issues before they become serious problems, enabling us to provide swift treatment when needed.
Warr Dental is a family dental practice where we strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and educational (but fun!) environment for people of all ages. We open early and stay open late most days of the week to make sure we can meet the busy schedules of Salt Lake families. Thoughtful, kind, and effective, our philosophy remains client satisfaction first. Contact us today to learn what makes us different or to schedule your next visit.
To get in touch, please call Warr Dental at 801-355-5385 today. We welcome people of all ages from Salt Lake and surrounding areas of Utah.