Dental Health Tips That Can Lead To A Beautiful Smile

At Family Friendly Dentistry, we are passionate about our patients of all ages receiving routine dental care in our office. This is the time that we not only thoroughly clean your teeth, but we also inspect them for problems such as decay. We see many of our patients only two times a year for their routine cleanings, which leaves the majority of their dental care in their hands. We know that sometimes your oral hygiene routine can be a little lax, especially after a long day, but we want to stress the importance of caring for your teeth properly each and every day. Caring for your teeth properly now will save you a lot of time in our office and additional expenses that can add up over time. We are going to share some dental health tips to keep you out of the dentist’s chair:

Replace Your Toothbrush

• You may be surprised to learn that your toothbrush should be replaced frequently. On average, it should be replaced every 2-3 months. It needs to be replaced sooner if you notice the bristles are damaged or after an illness. We encourage you to help your children brush their teeth properly and recommend they not chew on their toothbrush. It can damage the bristles and defeat the purpose of brushing.

Floss Daily

• When you visit our office for a routine hygiene examination, we can tell who flosses their teeth regularly. Flossing should be something that you do each day. We recommend flossing at the end of the day. It is an excellent way to help remove lingering food and bacteria from between the teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. If not removed, it can lead to tooth decay as well as gum disease.

Limit Sugary Drinks

• You may be surprised at the amount of sugar in some of your favorite drinks. Specialty coffee drinks and soft drinks can be quite high in sugar. Drinking one as a treat from time to time is fine, but drinking these beverages multiple times a day and throughout the day can lead to serious oral health problems. The sugar and bacteria that are left lingering on your teeth throughout the day can lead to recurring problems with decay.

If you have any other questions about your oral health or you are in need of a routine hygiene examination, be sure to contact our office, which is located in Terre Haute, IN, to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!