One of the first things we teach our children about life is how to take care of their smiles with good daily hygiene. We not only show them how to brush and floss their teeth, but also to refrain from eating too much sugar at once and to stop sucking on their thumbs once they pass a certain age. Even when we don’t always realize it, there are many things that can affect our dental health, and we can all benefit from occasional reminders of what good hygiene means.
About Brushing and Flossing
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once are the main tenets of good hygiene at home, but the effectiveness of the routine depends on more than just frequency. For instance, if you use a brush that’s too harsh, then you might damage your tooth enamel. If you don’t pay enough attention to your gums, then you might still be at risk of gum disease. When cleaning your teeth, be sure to use hygiene products that carry the ADA seal of approval, and pay special attention to carefully brushing and flossing along your gum line.
What to Do the Rest of the Time
Despite being the main tenets of your hygiene routine, brushing and flossing are not the end-all of caring for your teeth. When you’re not at your bathroom sink, other things can affect your dental health, such as how often you snack, what you snack on, whether or not you grind your teeth, etc. For instance, oral bacteria feed on the things you eat and drink, and then convert nutrients into substances that are harmful for your teeth and gums. Be mindful of overfeeding harmful oral bacteria, and of habits that could be a threat to your teeth, like grinding them or chewing on ice.
Learn More About Improving Your Hygiene Routine
Good hygiene is an ingrained routine for most of us, but everyone can use a refresher course now and then to ensure they’re doing their best to protect their smiles. To learn more, schedule a dental consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
