Keep Your Smile Healthy At Home Too

woodland hills brushing and flossingYou know that seeing us for a checkup and cleaning helps keep your teeth and gums strong, but you also need to care for your smiles at home too. In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist explains how to properly brush and floss your teeth to defend yourself against issues like tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease.

Brushing Your Teeth

How often do you brush your teeth? To keep your smile clean and limit the severity of plaque buildup, you need to brush when you first wake up and again before going to bed each evening. While many people do this, few clean their teeth properly. Each session should take no less than two minutes. Time yourself next time you brush, you’re likely barely cleaning your teeth for more than 30 seconds. Two minutes means adequately reaching every available surface and properly removing food particles, limiting the risks of cavities and gum disease. Be sure your toothpaste also contains fluoride and the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

Flossing Nightly

Along with cleaning your smile with a toothbrush, you need to floss every evening. When you floss, you remove the bits of food and drink caught between your teeth or along the gum line, which is often beyond the reach of a toothbrush. Start by taking an 18-inch length of tape, wrapping each end around one of your thumbs and holding it taut with your index finger. Run the tape up and down each side of every tooth, and dip below the gum line when you do. If you haven’t been flossing, this could be uncomfortable at first and may even bleed a little. But as inflammation goes down and gum health improves, this becomes as simple as brushing!

Better Snack Routines

You also help your smile by watching what you eat and drink. Sugary drinks, such as fruit juice, soda, sweet tea, and soda could leave behind particles to feed harmful bacteria, as could foods and snacks high in sugar and starch. Try to drink more water, and eat more fresh fruits, veggies, whole grain items, and cheeses. Then be sure to see us every six months for a checkup and cleaning, so we can make sure you’re taking proper care of your smile. If you have any questions, then let us know today!

Schedule Your Next Visit Today

Along with seeing our team for regular checkups and cleanings, you need better homecare habits to keep your smile cavity and disease-free. For more information on keeping your teeth and gums strong, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.