When the spring season appears, you’re likely thinking about ways to spend more time outside with friends and family. Of course, it’s also an ideal time to break out the cleaning supplies and give your home the routine maintenance it needs! But when most people hear the phrase “spring cleaning,” they often don’t think about their oral health. Not only is it a perfect time to reexamine your day-to-day oral care habits, but schedule a routine dental cleaning with a dentist. Learn the best tips to consider at home and the benefits of setting up a visit early in the year!
Upgrade on Your Oral Care Products
While a manual toothbrush gets the job done, upgrades to your oral care products can make your routine not just more fun, but easier.
Electric toothbrushes are incredibly effective at loosening plaque and food debris and require far less brushing back and forth to use. Additionally, using an electric water flosser can ensure your flossing routine is less time-consuming. With it, you can quickly dislodge food debris notorious for increasing plaque buildup. However, you’ll still want to floss manually to ensure nothing gets missed!
For an even more thorough routine, consider adding an alcohol-free rinse to your arsenal of oral care products as well.
Give Your Oral Care Habits Another Look
Even if you practice regular brushing and flossing, your current routine may not be enough if you’re still dealing with dental issues like gum disease and plaque/tartar buildup. Make sure that you’re brushing for at least two minutes at a time twice a day. Additionally, flossing at least once a day is necessary to clean the areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
It’s very important that you avoid brushing too hard as this can actually damage enamel and lead to gum recession. Hold your toothbrush with just your thumb and index finger to get a better idea of how much pressure you really need to keep teeth clean.
Get on the Dentist’s Calendar for a Cleaning
Your at-home care won’t be enough to protect you from dental disease. It’s very easy to miss areas of your mouth during brushing and flossing, resulting in plaque (and eventually tartar) buildup. Keep in mind that only a dental professional can remove the latter.
Furthermore, you won’t be able to confirm if there are any dental issues present unless you get an exam from a dentist. During your time there, you can have true peace of mind that your oral health is in good shape.
Dental cleanings are much like deep cleaning your home; both are essential preventive measures that help you avoid much bigger (and expensive) problems later. Schedule a visit now and you’ll also be better equipped to avoid the end-of-year rush that often happens in the winter months!
About the Author
Dr. Edward Dooley always goes the extra mile to protect the oral health of his patients. His one-on-one care and dedication to not just their smile, but their overall wellbeing, is what makes him stand out from his peers. With nearly four decades of experience under his belt, you can trust him when he says routine cleanings are one of the most important steps you can take to achieve a smile that stands the test of time. To schedule an appointment with his office, you can contact him through his website.
