The Dos and Don’ts of Dental Hygiene

The Dos Dos and Don'ts of Dental Hygiene Dental hygiene = All those things you can do (or avoid) to keep your teeth and gums healthy * Do replace your * Do visit your toothbrush: Every 2-3 months, you should switch out your dentist: Another utterly obvious one but toothbrush to avoid * Do clean your utterly necessary. Get in to the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups. bacteria and plaque buildup on the bristles. tongue: While brushing your teeth, give your tongue a scrub. This removes the bacteria that causes * Do brush your teeth at least bad breath. twice a day: Use a soft-bristled * Do floss: toothbrush and Do this at least once fluoride toothpaste. Overly obvious, it's true, but that doesn't make it less important. a day, either after dinner or before you go to bed. The Dos *Do get into a * Do use mouthwash: routine: Rinse and gargle with Get set in your ways. a fluoride mouthwash Brush, floss, and use to really get to those hart-to-reach places. mouthwash at set times every day so that it becomes a daily routine that you do without thinking. * Do eat and drink the right stuff: * Do drink A balanced diet that limits between-meal plenty of fluids: Keeping your mouth moist helps produce saliva, which helps protect your teeth. snacks and minimizes sugary foods will help. * Don't be overly aggressive: * Don't rely on mouthwash alone for hard-to-reach areas: If you scrub your teeth, gums, and tongue so hard that they hurt, you may end up wearing down tooth enamel and Practice a complete oral hygiene routine to reach the back teeth with your brush and get under the gums with floss. causing gums to recede. * Don't miss those * Don't ignore your hard-to-reach gums: areas: The state of your gums It can be hard to get can determine whether or not you everything behind those back teeth. Don't leave any plaque get to keep your teeth as you age. where it can fester. The Don'ts * Don't drink too much of the wrong things: * Don't let embarrassment Too much coffee, wine, sodas, sports drinks, and particularly acidic juices can discolor your teeth and harm the enamel. over your current oral hygiene situation stop you from seeing a dentist: It's never too late to correct any problems that you're currently concerned over. * Don't smoke: Aside from all the other harmful effects it has on your body, it also leads to a poor dental situation. HAZZOURI COSMETIC, ÎMPLANT & FAMILY DENTISTRY Helping Scranton smile beautifully since 1949