For Better Oral Health: Your Dental Hygiene Checklist

Your teeth were designed to last a lifetime. Yes, it’s true! As part of that design, they were endowed with their own protective covering: enamel. That enamel just happens to be the hardest substance found in the human body – and for good reason! Without that enamel, your teeth would quickly succumb to bacterial infections, decay, and disease. Unfortunately, your powerful tooth enamel is not indestructible. To preserve it and protect your teeth and gums, you need to take an active role in your own oral health regimen. This dental hygiene checklist can help you better manage that effort.

Brushing: The Right Time, the Right Way

You’ve heard it throughout your life, but it bears repeating again: brushing is essential for good oral hygiene. Do it at least twice a day, and make sure that you’re brushing for about two minutes. Here’s another pro tip to bear in mind: don’t brush immediately after eating a meal. There are certain foods that can leave your teeth temporarily softer than they would ordinarily be. If you brush right after eating those foods, you could inadvertently damage your tooth enamel.

Flossing: You Hate It; Do It Anyway!

Far too many people skip flossing. You need to do it daily to remove plaque and bacteria that will otherwise build up in those areas where your brush cannot reach.

Oral Hygiene Equipment: Tools Matter

Choose a soft-bristle brush to avoid unnecessary harshness during your oral hygiene efforts. Brush gently and focus on removing as much plaque as possible from teeth and along the gum line. In addition, replace your toothbrush every couple of months – or immediately after you’ve suffered an illness.

Dietary Choices: Sugar Overload

Sugar is one of your teeth’s most dangerous adversaries. You should try to limit your sugar intake to prevent damage to your teeth and gums. Be sure to check the packages on any processed foods you encounter. There’s sugar lurking where you least expect it!

Staining Concerns

You want white teeth, right? Well, to get and keep white teeth, you need to do everything you can to avoid stains. That means either limiting your intake of coffee, wine, and other staining agents, or getting into the habit of brushing after you’ve consumed those liquids or foods.

Oh, and if you smoke – just stop. It’s bad for your teeth. It’s bad for your health. You deserve better than that.

Professional Checkups are Vital

Of course, those critical components of dental hygiene care are just part of the equation. To maintain the perfectly healthy and aesthetically-pleasing teeth and gums you deserve, you also need to visit your dentist for twice-yearly checkups. At Ebenezer Dental, we provide the full-service dental care that patients like you need, to protect and preserve your oral health. Our dental team is committed to ensuring that you maintain your perfect smile for life. To make your appointment today, or to learn more about how the best dentist in midtown Manhattan can help you with your smile, contact us now.