In the age of social media, physical appearance has become a focus on everyone’s mind. And what is a selfie without a great smile? Unfortunately, we can’t rely solely on our dentist to give us the smile we want – we also play a major role in how healthy our smiles are. We need to look after our smiles in between dental visits. So, it is important that we are doing a proper job cleaning our teeth daily. We know the basics, but you may be surprised to know you may have picked up a habit or two that aren’t kosher with optimum dental care.
In general, proper oral care involves these four steps:
- Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each session
- Flossing once a day, ideally before bed
- Limiting the amount of sugar consumed
- Visiting the dentist every 3-6 months for regular checkups and professional cleanings
The idea of having to brush your teeth for two whole minutes may come as a surprise, but it is the suggested timeframe you should be aiming for in order to properly maintain your bright grin. When brushing your teeth, use short, gentle strokes with a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying extra attention to your gums, the back teeth and areas around dental work.
When flossing, hold about 18 inches of floss between your thumbs and index fingers, then gently slide it in between the gaps of your teeth. Remember, brushing and flossing are two of the most important things in making sure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile, so proper technique is a definite must.
For more information about dental health, call Dr. Sandip Ladani in Schnecksville, PA at 610-799-0600 or visit www.extraordinarysmiles.net.
Dr. Ladani proudly serve patients from Schnecksville and all surrounding areas.