subject: Continue To Brush, Even When Life Gets Busy [print this page] With the school year beginning, it does not mean that you can forget to perform good oral hygiene, especially with all of the starchy, sugary treats and drinks that are often present in school lunches. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, it is recommended that patients brush thoroughly twice a day, floss at least once a day and rinse with a mouthwash when necessary to remove plaque and keep your mouth free of bacteria.
Regular care is vital because it only takes a small amount of time for bacteria to invade the mouth, even when it is clean. In our fast-paced world, many people do not have the patience or time to give flossing or proper brushing a chance to become second-nature, even though it can significantly improve their oral health. A dazzling smile this school year begins with proper dental hygiene and routine dental visits.
Proper Diet is Important
Any food or snack can become trapped in the pits and groves of your teeth or between your teeth can become harmful if not properly cleaned. Chewy candy, such as caramels, taffies, jellybeans and licorice, are among the biggest cavity culprits. Any food debris that is left on the tooth creates an acid attack in the mouth to break it down. The less likely the food is to dissolve or rinse away, the longer the acid attacks will be.
The ability to chew and swallow is crucial in obtaining essential nutrients for the body. Choosing the right foods in your diet is an important aspect in having healthy teeth and good oral hygiene. If you don't brush, plaque will accumulate on your teeth. Plaque thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a great deal of foods. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid I produced that attacks enamel on the teeth, and eventually causes decay.
Carbonated sodas, sweet fruit drinks and sugary snack foods should be limited. You don't have to avoid these foods, rather it is important to keep in mind that you should maintain a balanced diet, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.
Flossing and Brushing Daily Helps Fight Decay
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the verdict is in: flossing is one of the best things you can do to take care of your teeth. Flossing between your teeth is an essential part of oral hygiene maintenance for avoiding gum disease and preventing tooth decay. Many people don't realize the importance of flossing and often skip it during their typical hygiene routine because they believe that brushing is adequate enough for the removal of plaque. Flossing your teeth is not hard, does not take much time and should be performed at least once daily.
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste is the most essential component to maintaining good oral health. Tooth brushing cleans and whitens your teeth, while helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Removing tooth stains and avoiding bad breath are added benefits of brushing your teeth, as well.
In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good oral hygiene every day. Make a regular appointment with your dentist in Lombard today for further cleaning and hygiene advice. Summer time is coming to a close, and now is the perfect time to get the entire family in for a comprehensive cleaning and checkup.
