Helpful Oral Care Tricks

Good oral hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth twice a day. It involves taking care of your teeth, gums, and mouth to prevent infection and disease. Good oral hygiene also involves visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Here are a few helpful oral care tricks to have a healthy smile. 

• Brush your teeth twice per day
• Floss daily
• Avoid using tobacco and alcohol
• See your holistic dentist every six months

Brush your teeth twice per day

The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth for two minutes each time, at least twice a day. This helps remove plaque, which is responsible for between 70 and 80 percent of adult cavities. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth and along the gum line. When it isn't removed regularly through proper tooth brushing techniques, it hardens to form tartar, which is more difficult to remove. If you don't brush regularly or properly, you increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Floss daily

As per the American Dental Association, in addition to regular brushing, it's important to floss at least once a day. Flossing helps remove food particles that get stuck between the teeth and near the gums. Start by wrapping about 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between all of your teeth and move the floss up and down against each tooth in a "C" shape. Don't snap your floss into the gums, as this can cut or damage your gums. After you've finished flossing, rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris from the teeth and gums.

Avoid tobacco and alcohol

Tobacco products can be very harmful to your oral health, so it's important to avoid them whenever possible. Cigarettes contain several harmful chemicals which promote tooth decay and gum disease. Similarly, alcohol can also contribute to poor oral health because it dries out the mouth, which increases the risk of cavities and infection. Limiting or avoiding these substances altogether can go a long way toward keeping your teeth healthy. It's recommended that smokers try to quit in an effort to improve the health of their mouths.

See your holistic dentist every six months

Your dentist is a trained professional who can examine your mouth for signs of health issues, such as decay and oral cancer. If you don't visit the dentist regularly, you increase your risk of developing these serious issues. Even patients who practice good oral hygiene at home still need to get their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. If you avoid going to the dentist for preventive care, you're putting the health of your smile at risk. At Seattle Dental Care, each of your hygiene appointment will be comprised of not only cleaning but will also include ozone therapy, microbiome test and pH test.

If you're ready to find a holistic dentist in Seattle, call our team at (206) 728-1330. We'd love to talk to you about the benefits of holistic dental care and how it can improve your health and quality of life.