subject: How Daily Oral Care Can Keep Your Teeth And Gums Healthy [print this page] You have a variety of responsibilities to keep your body healthy. One of the most important you have is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. To ensure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile, it is important that you brush and floss your teeth every day. Talk to your Naperville dentist about how to take care of your teeth and gums. He or she will be able to recommend tips and treatments to achieve optimal oral health.
Brushing And Flossing
Your responsibility to take care of your teeth and gums starts when you are at home. Although having to brush and floss your teeth every single day may seem boring and mundane, it is essential to keep your mouth healthy.
If you follow these basic instructions, you will be able to keep your mouth healthy and avoid costly dental procedures in the future:
*Brush your teeth at least twice per day, generally following meals. Give yourself enough time to do a thorough job when you brush.
*Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush. You can also use an electric toothbrush for optimal results.
*Hold the brush at a slight angle against your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions to clean all of your teeth. Try not to use too much force when you brush, as this can cause bleeding of your gums.
*Make sure to replace your brush every three to four months. This will keep your toothbrush effective at cleaning your teeth.
*Floss every day to clean the spaces in between your teeth. A toothbrush cannot reach certain areas so plaque will begin to build up there if you do not floss.
Visiting Your Naperville Dentist
In addition to flossing and brushing, it is also critical that you visit your Naperville dentist on a regular basis. Although brushing and flossing are very important and effective at removing most of the plaque from your teeth, there are certain areas that only your dentist is able to clean by using special techniques and tools. By performing a thorough examination of your teeth, he or she will be able to spot any potential problems before they become serious issues. If a problem is caught early on, it will almost certainly be much cheaper and easier to deal with than if you wait until the problem becomes serious to visit your dentist. Visit your Naperville dentist is you experience any of the following symptoms:
*Loss of any of your permanent teeth
*Gums that bleed easily
*Sensitivity to heat or cold
*Change in alignment of your teeth or bite
*Red, tender or swollen gums
*Unusually bad breath or persistent bad taste in your mouth
To learn more about the importance of daily oral care or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Naperville today.
