Best Practices to Care for Your Teeth at Home

Everyone has to go to the dentist. In fact, it’s recommended that you go at least twice a year. That being said, you can’t rely on your Bradenton dentist for everything. You also have to do your part at home to keep your smile looking great.

When asked, though, most people say that they are already practicing good oral hygiene at home. Despite that, there are typically ways that they can go about improving their oral health.

When you’re looking for dental care in Bradenton, you should look no further than Manatee Dental At College Plaza. We provide a wide range of dental care services that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. We also want to make sure that you’re able to keep this smile once you obtain it. That’s why we provide at-home tips that you can use to get the most out of your oral hygiene routine.

Tip 1: Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day, Every Day

Let’s start with the basics. The cornerstone of every great oral cleaning routine is brushing. In most cases, people at least brush their teeth every day. However, they should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day.

If possible, you should really brush your teeth after every meal. Doing so removes the food particles that can get stuck in your teeth. These food particles encourage bacteria growth, which eventually leads to plaque and gum disease.

Along with brushing twice a day, you need to be brushing for at least two minutes. This is the amount of time it takes to clean all the surfaces of your teeth properly. The best way to break up the time is to split your mouth into four sections, and spend at least 30 minutes cleaning each section.

Tip 2: Don’t Just Brush, Floss Too

Do you floss every day? Most Americans don’t. Even worse, some people never floss their teeth. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you have to remember to floss every day. Once again, doing so removes food particles that are stuck between your teeth.

You may be wondering which kind of flosser you should use. It really doesn’t matter as long as you’re flossing your teeth. If you want to use traditional dental floss, that’s fine. However, you can go the easier route, and use a water flosser. As long as you floss every day, you can use whatever method you prefer.

Tip 3: Keep an Eye on Your Diet

Did you know that what you eat has a huge impact on the health of your teeth and gums? It’s the truth, which is why you have to watch your diet closely. When you eat foods that are full of sugar, you’re helping grow bacteria. This is even more of an issue if you’re eating sugary snacks and not brushing your teeth afterward. Instead of sugar, consider reaching for some vegetables. It’s a healthy alternative that’s good for your teeth.

Of course, you can’t just watch what you’re eating, you also have to watch what you’re drinking. If you’re sipping on soda all day, it is doing a number on your teeth. In addition to sugar, sodas have citric acid in them. Over time, citric acid breaks down the enamel on your teeth. Instead of sugary beverages, consider drinking more water. It hydrates you and washes away leftover food that may be in your mouth.

Tip 4: Avoid Foods and Drinks That Can Stain Your Teeth

Many people relate a healthy mouth to having white teeth. While that’s not always the case, it does make for a prettier smile. However, a lot of the foods and drinks that you’ve been consuming could be staining your teeth. Chocolate, dark berries and tomato sauce can all leave stains on your teeth. Thus, you should limit your consumption of these foods.

Although, it is usually the drinks that you consume that do most of the staining. Coffee, soda and red wine can really stain teeth. If you find yourself unable to stop drinking these beverages, drink them through a straw. By doing this, you limit the contact that these liquids have with your teeth.

Tip 5: Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

What is the job of your teeth? Their main job is to chew up food so that you can consume it. That said, many people end up using their teeth for many other jobs that their teeth weren’t designed for. For example, some people use their teeth to open bottle caps. Others use their teeth to hold objects when their hands are full.

While this may seem convenient, it is actually causing a lot of harm to your teeth, which can weaken your teeth over time. It could even weaken them to the point that they crack. Thus, limit your teeth to the job that they were designed for. Leave the opening, cracking and tearing to the appropriate tools.

Tip 6: Choose the Right Toothbrush

The last tip is still an important one. Brushing your teeth with the right toothbrush is almost as important as how often you brush your teeth. The wrong toothbrush can make cleaning all the surfaces of your teeth harder. It could also damage your tooth enamel.

So which toothbrush should you be looking for? Firstly, look for a toothbrush that has bristles of varying lengths. This makes cleaning multiple surfaces at once easier. It also ensures that you clean those deep, hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Secondly, look for a toothbrush that has soft bristles. The harder the bristles, the more damage they can do to your enamel.

We Can Help Keep Your Smile Looking Great

Following these tips is a fantastic way to keep your smile looking great. However, you still need to visit your local Bradenton dentist from time to time. At Manatee Dental At College Plaza, we offer a full range of dental services that can help keep your mouth clean and happy. This includes everything from basic cleanings to full mouth examinations. We strive to make sure that you leave with a better-looking smile than when you came in.

Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. Come in for a consultation. You’ll see that our friendly staff is here to serve you. Don’t wait to call us today.