To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the members of our community, many people are staying home when possible and practicing social distancing. Our office is doing the same, only offering emergency care at the moment. However, just because you’re home doesn’t mean you should neglect your smile! Your Livonia, MI, dentist has a few tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
What Causes Poor Oral Health?
How does our oral health start to suffer? Well, lack of proper dental hygiene could allow bacteria to feed on stray food particles, a process that soon coats the teeth in a sticky layer of plaque. Over time, plaque then hardens into tartar and can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning. Plaque and tartar often lead to poor oral health, weakening and eroding the outer enamel so that cavities and even dental infections can develop. The buildup also irritates and inflames your gum tissue, which can cause gingivitis and even gum disease to develop. Factors impacting this include diet and lack of proper brushing and flossing.
Better Dental Hygiene
How do you help control plaque and tartar? Start by brushing your teeth when you wake up and again before going to sleep at night. Each session should last about two minutes. Be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles, whether you use an electric or a manual one. Fluoride toothpaste is a must too, as fluoride helps strengthen your outer tooth enamel. You also need to floss, as this removes what’s stuck between your teeth. You should floss up and down each side of every tooth. Make contact with the gum line, as this helps remove trapped food particles. Doing this every day without exception helps protect your smile from poor oral health!
Smile Healthy Snack Choices
Choosing better snacks and meals also helps, as you could deprive harmful bacteria of sugar and starchy particles. Try to cut back on sweets, like candy or chocolates, and avoid chips and other starchy snacks. Instead, enjoy fresh vegetables or fruits, low-fat yogurts and sugar-free gum, and nuts and cheeses. When you need a beverage, drink more water instead of sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, or fruit juices. If you have any questions about protecting your oral health, or if you think you have a dental emergency that needs attention, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ENJOYING OPTIMAL ORAL HEALTH?
We want to make sure you continue to care for your smile and protect your teeth and gums, even if you’re home bound for a few weeks. For more information on our approach to preventive dentistry, or to schedule a consultation, call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400.