Maintaining healthy teeth and preventing cavities are required for overall well-being.
Maintaining healthy teeth and preventing cavities are required for overall well-being. Cavities, otherwise known as dental caries, are common but they’re also largely preventable. In this blog, we’ve listed a few effective tips for keeping all of your teeth healthy and free of any cavities, backed by research and other expert recommendations. Read on to learn more!
Brush Your Teeth Correctly
Brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of all dental hygiene, but doing it correctly is essential. Brushing should be done twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Here is the correct technique:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Hold it at a 45-degree angle right to your gums
- Gentle and circular motions: avoid aggressive brushing which could damage your gums and enamel.
- Cover every surface: make sure to brush the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces for every tooth
- Don’t forget your tongue: remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your entire breath fresh
Remember to Floss Every Day
The importance of flossing can’t be overstated. Flossing is very crucial for removing plaque and food particles that your brush can not reach. For a proper flossing technique, follow these tips:
- Use 18 inches of floss: wrap the floss around your middle finger, leaving around one to two inches to work with
- Gently slide your floss between your teeth: then avoid snapping the floss into your gums
- Curve the floss around every tooth: so make a C-shape and gently move it up and down
- Use a clean section of your floss: move to a new section of floss for every tooth to avoid redistributing plaque
For those who find traditional flossing difficult, alternatives like dental picks, pre-threaded flossers, and water flossers can be quite effective.
Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods Within Your Diet
Acidic foods and sugary foods or drinks are serious contributors to tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth could convert sugar into acid, which erodes the enamel and leads to cavities. Reducing sugar intake can seriously lower the risk of dental caries.
- Sugary snacks like candy, cookies, and cakes should be reduced
- Sugary drinks like fruit juice, sodas, and sports drinks
- Acidic foods like wine, citrus fruits, and vinegar-based foods
To learn how we at Olney Dental can help with your dental health, call us today!
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.