The warmer weather and blooming flowers of Spring may send some of you into a spring cleaning frenzy around your homes. But before you grab your duster and rubber gloves, don’t forget your dental health could use some sprucing up as well.
Here are 3 tips to “spring clean” your dental routine so your smile is healthy, vibrant, and ready for the new season!
1. Use an Electric Toothbrush
Studies prove that electric toothbrushes are more effective at reducing dental plaque and gingivitis. Some feature a timer to ensure you brush for a full two minutes, as well as a pressure indicator light to let you know when you are brushing too hard, damaging your teeth and gums. Thorough brushing is especially difficult if you have dexterity problems, such as arthritis, and using an electric toothbrush can certainly make the healthy difference. Our office recommends an Oral B rechargeable electric toothbrush, which also happens to have the American Dental Association’s(ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
2. Floss daily
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal(gum) disease. Hence, flossing daily is critical to avoid plaque and calculus(tartar) that causes your gums to become swollen and inflamed, leading to gum disease.
Our recommendation is to floss at night because when you sleep, less saliva is produced to naturally clean teeth and gums, which can leave oral bacteria free to do more damage. Therefore, it’s important to brush, floss and scrape your tongue every night to get rid of bacteria!
You may be more likely to stick with your dental health routine if you find it easy and pleasant. So perhaps consider trying a new type of dental floss:
- Waxed floss: Oral B glide or GUM Eeze-thru are our favorites. But there are other brands with a variety of flavors, such as cinnamon, bubble gum, and even strawberry and orange!
- Waterpik Water Flosser: The ADA awarded its Seal of Acceptance to the Waterpik Water Flosser based on its finding that they are safe and have shown efficacy for removing plaque along the gumline and between teeth. This is an excellent option if it is difficult or painful to open your mouth wide enough to use traditional flossing methods or if you have dexterity issues.
3. Visit your dentist
Don’t forget to make sure you have your family’s dental visits scheduled! Early morning, lunchtime, and evening appointments make it easy to find a time that’s convenient for each family member. Spring is often referred to as a time for new beginnings. If your dental routine has suffered, now is the perfect time to get things back on track. Also, if your smile has been looking a little lackluster lately, it may be the perfect time to talk to your dentist about in-office or at-home whitening options.
A healthy, brighter smile is waiting for you at Sun Family Dental. Call 678.890.2555 or click here to schedule your appointment.