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Things Every Dental Hygienist Wishes You Knew

Oral health is more than simply brushing twice a day and checking your breath in the workplace restroom. It all comes down to when you brush, even how you brush or what you do after you brush. Our dentist near you wanted to give you some tips on better oral health.

Brush Your Teeth Before Breakfast

Mom has been preaching this for years! Since we agree, it’s worth reminding you that the fluoride in your toothpaste can and will protect your teeth while you eat if you brush before breakfast. If you wash your teeth after eating cereal or drinking orange juice, you run the danger of scraping those sugars or acids into the enamel (the strong outer coating of the tooth), which may lead to dental damage and erosion. Simply rinsing your mouth with water after breakfast will do.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

While we are all aware of the consequences of not brushing our teeth, it is equally critical not to over-brush. Don’t clean your teeth and gums since this may cause irreparable and permanent wear away of the gums, known as a recession. Instead, use an electronic toothbrush with a light that flashes when you brush too aggressively. Hold the handle softly with minimal pressure. Glide it around your teeth and gums, letting the brush do most of the job.

Floss Before Going To Bed

There are so many more preventative dentistry tips that our dental hygienists want you to know. Brushing only cleans roughly 60% of our teeth. Flossing may clean between teeth and around the gums, aiding in preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which can arise when food and plaque get trapped in those crevices.

Flossing once a day, particularly at night, to give your mouth a complete cleaning after you’ve finished all of your meals for the day. Flossing before brushing is also an excellent habit since it improves the efficiency of both toothbrushing and toothpaste by eliminating dirt.

Try the Waterpik water flosser if you’re having trouble with your string floss method or just want something that gets the job done swiftly. It cleans between teeth and below the gum line with a focused stream of pulsing water. It has been shown to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas and is 50% more effective than string floss in improving gum health**. It also just takes 60 seconds.

Restrict The Use of Sweets and Acids During Mealtimes

If you’ve eaten or drank anything acidic or sweet, wait half an hour to an hour before brushing your teeth since brushing immediately after will merely distribute those sugars or acids across the enamel, weakening it. If you drink a glass of juice for breakfast and then don’t eat or drink anything else for a few hours, the saliva in your mouth will work to neutralize the acid. Unfortunately, when our teeth are constantly attacked, we see the damage. So the best advice your dentist in Pinellas Park FL can give you is to limit your intake of sweets and acids to mealtimes alone.

For Whiter Teeth, Consider Getting A Professional Cleaning

If you want whiter teeth, see your dentist or dental hygienist for a professional opinion – they will be able to evaluate your appropriateness for whitening and explain your best alternatives. You could just benefit from a professional cleaning.

If you use whitening toothpaste, select a type that has the necessary 1,450 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride to safeguard your teeth from harm. Try the Waterpik whitening water flosser for precise whitening while flossing, which combines water with a mild stain removal chemical to restore your natural whiteness, eliminate plaque, and promote healthier gums.

Don’t Ignore Your Gums

Your gums might indicate your overall health. Healthy gums are pink and firm, with no bleeding. Anything that deviates from that might be an indication of an underlying problem. Oral health and overall well-being are inextricably intertwined. A bad mouth might put you at risk for major health concerns. If you have any concerns regarding changes in your gums, please see your Pinellas Park FL dentist.

Contact Park Boulevard Family Dentistry Today

When looking for the right dentist make sure that you are looking for a team in your best interest. Our staff is here to help you in any way possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment today to sit down and talk to one of our specialists