Even when out of town or on vacation, you need to take steps to keep your smile healthy, which means always brushing and flossing. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist will discuss how to clean your teeth properly, and offer tips for keeping your teeth and gums strong throughout these warm summer months.
Don’t Skip Your Brushing and Flossing
You should maintain your usual habits every day, even when out of town or on vacation. We suggest starting your day by brushing your teeth, and then doing this again in the evening before bed. You also need to floss before bed too. If you’re on a vacation, you can pick up travel size versions of toothbrushes, toothpastes, and floss too. These will travel with you easily.
Brushing Your Teeth
You should approach your teeth with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, cleaning the tips and sides of the teeth at once. For the front-facing teeth, clean in a crucial motion to reach the entire available surface. You can use an electric or manual option, just as long as there are soft bristles. People who brush too rough with hard or medium bristles risk inadvertent enamel damage. Make sure your toothpaste also contains fluoride, as this helps strengthen your enamel to prevent cavities. Look for fluoride listed in the ingredients, or for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance on the packaging.
Flossing Your Smile
You also need to floss every evening too. When you floss, you reach and remove the bits of food beyond the reach of your toothbrush’s bristles. This prevents the particles from becoming broken down by bacteria, and helps you avoid issues like tooth decay and gum disease. You should take an 18 inch to 20 inch length of tape, and wrap each end around one of your thumbs. Hold it tight with your index finger, and then run the tape up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line as you clean. Adjust the grip to use a clean portion for each tooth. We suggest doing this every evening!
Better Diets
Also, make sure you and your family don’t go overboard on sugary summer treats. Ice cream, soda, smoothies, fruit juice, and sports drinks all encourage tooth decay and gum inflammation. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and enjoy fresh fruits and veggies too. If you have any questions about better oral hygiene habits, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
Our team wants to make sure you continue to protect your teeth and gums from the impacts of decay, infection, or disease. To learn more about the daily care needed to keep smiles strong and healthy, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
