When we think of summer, we often think of ice cream, popsicles, sodas, and other sugary foods and drinks that are especially popular in the warmer months. While these can be fun, too much can be harmful for your smile. Let’s look at five steps for keeping your smile healthy and bright this summer.
Keeping Your Smile Healthy in Five Steps
- Brush (the right way): You need to make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and again before going to bed. Each session needs to last no less than to minutes (feel free to set a timer on your phone). You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles to ensure you don’t damage the enamel if you brush too hard.
- Always, Always Floss: When it comes to safeguarding your smile against tooth decay and gum disease, flossing is even more vital than brushing. Floss reaches the food trapped between teeth, which a toothbrush’s bristles often can’t reach. Removing these particles prevents them from being broken down by bacteria, a process that leads to plaque buildup, bad breath, inflamed gum tissue, and weakened tooth enamel. You should floss each night before bed.
- Opt for Water Over Sports Drinks: When outside, whether working or playing sports, you can develop dry mouth. This lack of saliva, combined with the sugars and acids in sports drinks, can lead to a greater risk of cavities. Be sure you’re also dirking water out there!
- Enjoy Healthier Snack Options: Instead of sugary snacks and chips, opt for fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, dairy products, or low-fat yogurt. These items are healthy, delicious, and good for your smile (and your waistline).
- Make Time to Visit Our Office: Every six months you should see us for a checkup and cleaning, which helps us monitor your smile for the early stages of potential problems and remove all plaque from your smile as well.
Do You Need Help Keeping Your Smile Healthy?
At Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, we can wok with you to keep your smile beautiful and healthy throughout the year We’ve proudly served our patients in Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
