At-home care and professional dental treatments can prevent bad breath, gum disease, cavities, and other common dental problems. If you do your best to improve your oral health but want to learn more about how to improve your smile, we will review tips to keep your smile fresh at home and in our Lititz, PA, office.
Keep Your Smile Fresh in Lititz, PA
Here are some of the best tips to follow for a healthy smile and fresh breath:
Brush and Floss
Good at-home oral hygiene begins with brushing and flossing. If you use a manual toothbrush, brush in a circular motion. You do not need to brush in a circular motion if you have an electric toothbrush. Focus on brushing on the outer enamel, moving on to the chewing surfaces and the backside of teeth. Remember to brush your tongue, as bacteria collects on the tongue too!
You also may not realize just how important flossing is for your smile. Flossing removes food debris from between teeth and helps prevent bad breath and bacterial buildup in hard-to-reach areas. When flossing, guide the floss in a zig-zag motion between teeth, curving the floss around each tooth.
Replace Your Toothbrush
You should replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Over time, the brush bristles can wear down. Harmful odor and decay-causing bacteria can also build up on the brush. Using the right toothbrush can provide a better clean. Typically, we recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes because hard bristles can wear down the tooth enamel and lead to sensitivity problems.
Take Your Vitamins!
Vitamins and minerals strengthen the tooth enamel and help protect teeth from harmful bacteria. Calcium strengthens the tooth enamel and other bones in the body. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and also increases bone density. Phosphorous and potassium also help with bone density, and potassium, in particular, can keep blood at the correct pH level.
Visit the Dentist
At regular dental cleanings, our dental hygienists use stainless steel tools to clean hard-to-reach areas of the smile. Our hygienists use expert methods to remove bacterial buildup from the teeth, gums, and other tissues in the mouth. Typically, a good professional dental cleaning can help remove problems like bad breath, often caused by bacteria left in the mouth. We can also examine the smile and diagnose dental problems that we find with dental x-rays and the naked eye. Regular visits allow our team to help you find the best way to care for your smile at home and in our office.
Do you have a dental concern? Has it been some time since your last dental visit? Call our Lititz, PA office for routine care at 717-627-6980 or request a dental appointment with us on our website.