October is National Dental Hygiene Month and at Central Ozarks Medical Center, we are very excited about that! Our dental care providers in mid-Missouri know that with a few simple habits, you can do a lot to maintain or improve your dental health. Some of them are obvious, some of them you might not have realized. But either way, if you’re interested in having the best dental health you can have, keep reading this blog for five helpful tips.
1 – Proper Brushing
Take your time when brushing, it should take about two to three minutes total brushing time to clean your teeth. It takes that long to thoroughly cover all the surfaces of your teeth, not just the front, and for long enough to remove all the stuck-on debris. Try brushing in all directions. If you brush mostly up and down, try circular motions as well. Be sure that you are not brushing your teeth too hard. This is a very common mistake and can actually damage your teeth. Use a soft bristle brush and soft pressure while brushing for the best results.
2 – Using the Right Toothbrush
In the same way that brushing your teeth too hard can hurt your teeth, using a hard bristle brush can be bad for your teeth as well. In addition, your toothbrush should be changed about three every three or four months. If you are using a toothbrush it is older than that, it is probably not nearly as effective as you think it is. The size of your toothbrush also makes a difference. Sometimes, using a smaller brush can make it easier to reach all of your teeth – especially your back ones. So, change out those toothbrushes regularly and choose a side that allows you to reach all surfaces. It’s a worthy investment for your oral health.
3 – Flossing Daily
There is nothing that inspires an eye roll more quickly than reminding people to floss. But it is one of the most effective things to keep your teeth clean and healthy. It doesn’t cost much, it doesn’t take much time, and it is so important. If you don’t like the hassle of using string floss, try using flossing sticks to floss instead. Whatever it takes to make it a part of your daily habit, you will reap the benefits of improved dental health.
4 – Don’t Forget the Tongue and Gums
It is not just your teeth that need to be cleaned. Your tongue and gums can collect bacteria and will benefit from a gentle brushing each day. Even if it seems awkward at first, overtime you’ll get used to it, and again it has strong benefits for your oral health.
5 – Choose your timing
This one may be a surprise to you, but it is actually not the best time to brush your teeth right after a meal. It may seem quite natural to do so, and all of us want to get the food out of our teeth. But the enzymes and acids that are in your mouth from eating actually soften your tooth enamel. So, it is best to wait about 30 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth to avoid damaging to your enamel. Instead, swish some water around to get rid of the gunk after your meal, and then follow up with a full brushing in about 30 minutes.
Schedule your regular dental checkups with our dental care providers in Central Missouri!
At COMC, we know that your dental health can affect your overall health as well. It is our mission to improve the quality of health of the citizens in the areas that we serve, and we believe in helping the whole person, not just their medical issues. So, in honor of Dental Hygiene Month, we wanted to share some helpful ideas to empower you to take charge of your dental health. We hope you find these tips helpful and we also encourage you to come in for regular dental checkups. If something does come up, it is better to address a problem earlier rather than later. Just give us a call to get on the schedule. We serve patients of all ages, and we are happy to help you. If you’d like to hear more helpful information about healthcare and mental and dental health care in the Lake of the Ozarks area, be sure to follow us on our social media channels using the links below.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
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