Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Your Glenview dentists, Dr. Alexander Quezada and Dr. David Lewis Jr., urge you to be diligent and consistent with your oral hygiene oral hygienehabits. These ordinary practices protect your mouth against decay, abscess, gum disease, bad breath and more. Here's what these highly skilled dentists and their dedicated team at Colonial Dental Group advise for keeping your smile bright and healthy for life.

Brush and floss

You need to do both, say your Glenview dentists. Brushing twice a day cleans your teeth and gums well, but it can't reach all the food residues that collect after meals. That's where flossing comes in to eliminate that extra plaque before it forms into super-hard tartar. Both plaque and tartar collect between teeth and at the gum line, and the American Academy of Periodontology says that more than 500 different kinds of potentially harmful bacteria live in those spaces.

Unfortunately, bacteria causes tooth decay and gum disease because the microbes secrete corrosive acids that eat away at enamel and tender gum tissue. These two oral health problems are responsible for most of the tooth loss among American adults.

The best way to brush

Use a soft-bristled brush twice a day. Apply a ribbon of fluoride toothpaste, and angle the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Using a back and forth sweeping motion, clean all tooth surfaces--front, back and top (the part that chews and bites together). The American Dental Association says thorough brushing should last a full two minutes.

The best way to floss

Most people floss at bedtime using simple strand floss--either plain or waxed. Some individuals prefer interproximal brushes. These brushes look like tiny baby bottle brushes and are especially useful for cleaning around crowns, dental implants and bridgework.

Key to good flossing is a gentle touch. Never snap the floss against your gums or floss too vigorously. Be sure to take your time.

The best way to eat

Yes, eating is part of oral hygiene. Add plenty of water to your daily diet because well-hydrated oral tissues are less prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Also, water rinses away food residues and increases saliva production. The anti-bacterial qualities of saliva reduces bad breath and the incidence of decay and periodontal disease.

Regarding food, decrease your intake of sugars and starches because they provide the perfect breeding ground for toxic bacteria. On the positive side, up your intake of fruits and vegetables as they clean tooth surfaces, and calcium and protein help maintain strong tooth enamel and supporting bone and gum tissue.

All for your best smile

Both at-home and in-office hygiene (exams and cleanings every six months) support your oral health. Your Glenview dentists, Dr. Quezada and Dr. Lewis, and their team will help you optimize both so your smile looks, feels and functions well. Call Colonial Dental Group today at (947) 729-2233 for your semi-annual appointment.