Were you aware that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is the perfect time to review your oral health strategy for the year, with all the renewed energy this time of year ushers in. Today, our dental team at Brownsburg Family Dental Care has some tips for your smile about how to promote good oral health for you and the people you care about.
The ADA (American Dental Association) encourages brushing those pearly whites at least twice a day with the help of a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure it has a small to medium toothbrush head to clean the back areas of the mouth.
Brush gently at a 45-degree angle to the gums, clean debris from all of your tooth surfaces. Since your tongue collects bacterial residue, clean your tongue as well. When you do this, it removes oral bacteria to freshen the breath.
Brushing alone can’t clear the areas between teeth or along the gumline, so don’t forget to floss! Floss between your teeth once a day to get rid of the bacterial biofilm called plaque. If you don’t remove plaque it will harden into tartar or calculus.
To remove plaque, add a germ-fighting mouthwash to your daily routine. Make sure it is alcohol-free to avoid drying out the mouth and strengthen your fight against tooth decay and gum disease.
And lastly, you can chew gum for 20 minutes after you eat to fight tooth decay? This will stimulate saliva flow that occurs when you chew. This will wash away residual food particles and oral debris. Saliva also neutralizes harmful acids which are created from oral bacteria.
Our dentist, Dr. Todd Eder, is pleased to help you achieve your healthiest smile. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our dental team in Brownsburg, Indiana, please call us today at 317-852-4593.