BRUSH…OFTEN!



For decades, dentists have suggested brushing twice daily – once in the morning and once at night. This is still a great foundation. Brushing in the morning will help you start your day off with fresh breath and clean teeth. Brushing in the evening will get rid of any food morsels and buildup that would otherwise fester in your mouth overnight, potentially causing plaque buildup or cavity development. However, tooth brushing habits don’t have to stop there! An increasing amount of people are taking advantage of travel brushes that can conveniently fit into purses, messenger bags, or backpacks to try and brush after meals throughout the day as well.



FLOSS



This one is an easy one to forget, but it is also one of the most important. Flossing, ideally as often as you brush, perhaps does more for oral hygiene than brushing itself. Small bits of food have a tendency to get stuck between teeth, and if they are left in place they will often rot, cause bad breath, wear away at the teeth and gums, and potentially lead to cavities and gum disease. By flossing in the mornings and evenings, at a minimum, you are doing your mouth justice in terms of long term dental hygiene between dentist checkups.



EAT HEALTHILY



Eating healthy, of course, has far more implications than simply dental health but that is a big one as well. Avoiding sugary and super acidic foods will help to keep your teeth, enamel, gums, and mouth happy and healthy. The better you eat, the less you have to worry about major dental issues or skipping a morning of flossing or brushing your teeth. A healthy diet really does go a long way, and your smile may be the first thing to show it.



KEEP YOUR TEETH WHITE, NATURALLY



While there are a handful of home tooth whitening kits and even procedures you can have done at the dentist, one of the best things you can do to keep your teeth white between check-ups is simply monitoring what you eat. There is a lot of food and drink that stains or yellows teeth. Essentially, anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth. To keep your smile as bright as possible, monitor your intake of coffee, tea, soda, wine, etc. Smoking, too, will have a negative impact on both the color and health of your teeth and mouth.



Dental hygiene between dentist check-ups is not a difficult thing, but it does take discipline. If you can keep up with our four recommendations above you will be in great shape come your next visit to Dr. Ho and Third Street Dental. Call us today to make an appointment and to show off just how well you have been taking care of those pearly whites!