Confident Smiles: Discover Expert Solutions for Improving Your Smile
Did you know, 48% of young adults have untagged themselves from a photo on Facebook because of their smile.
By maintaining good oral hygiene, you can be confident and comfortable in your smile. Although stained teeth usually poses no harm and tend to have little impact on the health of our teeth, they can make you feel self-conscious. With a regular cleaning, stains are easy to remove; however, more stubborn stains may need expert care. Healthy mouth cleanings, deep cleanings, and periodontal maintenance are some treatments your dentist could offer in order to treat your individual mouth condition. Many patients also suffer from bad breath, which is usually caused by the buildup of plaque (a symptom of gum disease and tooth decay). At Smilodon Dental, we make sure to treat you as an individual and have unique treatments plans to fit our patient’s needs.
TIPS ON MAINTAINING ORAL HYGIENE
Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day
Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing
Eat healthy food
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks
Rinse your mouth with water after meals
Wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports
Don’t smoke as it leads to gum disease and oral cancer
Use night guard if you unconsciously grind your teeth in your sleep
Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year
Are you brushing correctly?
There are many ways to brush one’s teeth. Some better than others. One such technique which is widely used and taught is the modified bass technique. You may be asking yourself, “what is the bass technique?”
The “modified bass” is a type of tooth brushing which is used by patients who suffer limited gum recession or dexterity. The brush has to be put in 45 degrees at the front surface of the teeth while the bristles are projected in the pockets which surround the tooth.
What about Timing?
The American Dental Association recommends you brush for a full two minutes. It may be difficult to brush for a full two minutes, for this reason, we recommend singing the song Happy Birthday three times in your head while doing so.
You could also purchase an electric toothbrush that does the counting for you! Having a built-in timer makes for fool-proof brushing.
Don’t Forget to Floss!
The proper flossing technique involves removing plaque and bacteria not only from the sides of the teeth, but also, under the gumline, or, sub-gingival as we call it in the office.
The type of floss that you use does matter! Some floss’s are meant for tight contact between teeth, such as Glide by OralB, while other floss, such as Coco Floss, has the ability to clean when teeth have more separation between one another.
You don’t just want to push the floss in an upward/downward motion, but you want to “wrap” the floss around the body of the tooth, like a pig in a blanket!
What Kind of Toothpaste Should I Use?
Great question! The answer can be different for everyone.
First, we would need to identify what state your oral health is currently in.
Do you have sensitive teeth? Do you have swollen gums? Do you have false teeth? At your routine cleaning and checkup, we will advise which toothpaste we think is best for YOU!
Having oral health issues? Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your routine care and hygiene visit!
To learn more about maintaining a healthy mouth, as well as dental implants, come visit your local Nashville dentist at Smilodon!
