How to spring clean your smile?
Spring is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings.If you haven’t been keeping up with your oral health as well as you’d like to, there’s no better time than now to start new habits to take better care of your teeth and gums!
1. Commit to a regular dental routine
Along with brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, it’s important to combine flossing into the mix. Flossing prevents plaque build-up by removing left-behind food particles that may be stuck between teeth and gums. A sufficient clean maintains oral hygiene and flossing will fight bacteria growth and periodontal disease.
2. Don’t skip visits to the dentist
It is recommended that patients visit their dentist for a dental assessment every six months. They’re opportunities for your local dentist to examine your teeth and mouth and identify any problems as early as possible if any are present. Dental Health Month provides a good reminder to check the status of your dental hygiene and receive a professional clean. And if anything has gone wrong, you have a chance to correct it.
3. Cut down on sugars
Reducing your sugar intake doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite treats for good. It just means that you’re not going to have as many. Food and drink that are high in sugar can damage your teeth enamel and cause cavities. So go easy on lollies, soft drinks and sugary juices. It also helps to brush after you have consumed sugar.
4. Eat healthier
Not only will eating more vegetables and fruit make it easier to meet your health goals but it can help to remove plaque. Crunchy vegies brush off plaque from teeth when chewed. They also contain less sugar compared to processed foods.
5. Rinse after sugar
After eating or drinking anything sugary, sticky or starchy, make sure you rinse your mouth out with water to remove any traces of food debris. The remains of your treat may also provide a breeding ground for bacteria that will attack your ivories.
6. Don’t skip the evening brush
The evening brush is important for removing old food particles and reducing bad breath. It can also decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth, making it a crucial step in your regime. That said, around 30 per cent of Aussies neglect to brush twice daily, with most skipping the evening brush, according to the Australian Dental Association.
7. Floss with a C-shape
Feeling all thumbs when it comes to flossing? This should be a crucial step in your oral hygiene routine as it removes small food particles and plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. To get the most out of flossing, make sure you start with around 45cm of floss and wind it around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two to work with. Simply slide this gently up and down your teeth, curving it in the shape of a C to make sure you reach between the gum tissue.
To give your smile spring cleaning a boost we recommend starting with a visit to your dentist for a comprehensive oral examination and cleaning. Clean and polished teeth will give you great confidence in your smile. Visit Kempton Smile, a renowned Dental Practice based in Kempton Park for more than 12 years now , to kickstart your smile spring cleaning
Dr S Kholvadia is a healthcare practitioner, specialising as a Dentist, in Kempton Park. Kempton Smile is a family and cosmetic dental practice operating at Kempton Square next to Pick ‘n Pay, at Kempton Park.
(Source: http://www.dentalcarenetwork.com, http://http://appledental.ca)
image source: http://huffpost.com)
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