Dental checkups and professional cleanings twice a year are an essential piece to your dental care’s puzzle. By visiting our office every six months, your family is able to partner with our friendly Crown Point Family Dentist to prevent oral health issues before they start.
Excellent dental hygiene is just as important at home. Our dental experts understand that our patients live busy lives with many members of their family to care for. We have some tips that can make your dental routines at home not only more effective but fun for the whole family.
1. Floss thoroughly.
Flossing seems like a chore because it takes time to get in between each and every tooth. Nevertheless, flossing is a very important part of preventive dental care! Floss before you brush to loosen plaque and food stuck between your teeth. Be sure to get between every tooth, even in hard to reach places to avoid gum disease in the future.
Kids Tip:
If you have a hard time getting your little ones to floss regularly, there are many tools that can make flossing easier and more enjoyable. Consider adding Y-shaped disposable flossers, water picks, or threaders.
2. Get the right toothbrush.
It makes sense why you would think that you need a stiffer toothbrush for a better cleaning experience, but that’s simply not true. You should opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush because the bristles are flexible enough to reach into hard-to-reach crevices while still being gentle on your gums. Brushing should be a massage for your gums, not abrasive scrubbing. And your gums should never bleed during brushing. If you or your family’s gums are bleeding even a little, contact our Advanced Dental Concepts dental office so we can check their mouth for dental problems.
Kids Tip:
Let kids choose their own toothbrush embellished with their favorite cartoon character. They’re more likely to participate if brushing is associated with the things they love.
3. Use the correct techniques.
Two minutes is the recommended time you should be brushing your teeth. This gives you enough time to brush all areas of your mouth at a 45-degree angle above, along, and below the gum line. You should also be brushing above, behind, and on top of each tooth as well as your tongue to remove bacteria. Stagnant plaque and bacteria on your tongue can cause bad breath.
Kids Tip:
A fun way to measure the amount of time you’ve brushed for is by playing a song while you brush. Kids know not to stop brushing until the song is over.
4. Find the right toothpaste for you.
Did you know there are different kinds of toothpaste on the market for different oral health issues? There’s whitening toothpaste, hypersensitivity toothpaste, and even herbal toothpaste for people who are more sensitive to chemicals found in regular kinds of toothpaste. It can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. During your dental appointment with either of our four friendly doctors, your dentist can point you in the right direction. We will recommend the best ADA (American Dental Association) approved toothpaste for you and your family members.
Kids Tip:
Allow your child to pick their own flavored tooth paste. There’s even special kiddy toothpaste that makes it safe to swallow for children who are too young to know the difference.
If you’ve started already instilling great oral hygiene habits in your family members, we applaud you! You’re taking the best step towards healthy, long-lasting teeth for the ones you love. We can help you keep your family’s teeth bright and shining with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings as well. Schedule an appointment today and we can help you maintain your family’s strong teeth and gums.