3 Oral Hygiene Practices Recommended by Top Dentists

Your teeth have both practical and cosmetic benefits. On the one hand, you rely on your teeth to chew and digest food. Also, you have your teeth to thank for that perfect smile on your face. To keep your teeth in excellent health, you must embrace and maintain good oral hygiene.

Top dentists in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, like Dr. Allison Konick, recommend the following oral hygiene practices to keep your teeth healthy.

1. Brush Twice, Floss Once

As a general rule of thumb, you should brush your teeth twice a day—in the morning when you wake up and at night before going to bed. Brushing your teeth twice a day prevents the buildup of bad bacteria in your mouth. Multiple types of bacteria naturally occur in your mouth. The good bacteria keep your teeth and gums healthy, while harmful bacteria trigger tooth decay.

By brushing regularly, you reduce bad bacteria in your mouth. When harmful bacteria accumulate in your mouth, the result is dental plaque, a sticky soft substance that adheres to your teeth.  If the plaque is removed within 24 hours, it does not have the opportunity to harden onto the tooth surface, but when left behind, tartar or calculus forms and builds on itself creating a harder, white/yellow layer on the tooth surface. Brushing properly is one way to ensure that your teeth are free of cavities and gingivitis. In addition to brushing twice a day, you should also floss once a day. Flossing helps remove food particles, bacteria, and plaque that may be trapped between the teeth, and the toothbrush can’t reach them.  Dr. Konick recommends flossing BEFORE you brush your teeth to make sure the tooth surfaces are free from plaque and debris prior to the toothpaste coming into contact with the teeth so that the Fluoride in the toothpaste can do its job of protecting as much of your tooth as possible.

2. See Your Dentist Every Six Months

Many dental problems are asymptomatic in their infant stages. As such, when you neglect your dental checkups, minor dental issues that could have been detected early will go unnoticed. Conversely, if you honor your dental visits, your dentist will notice any concerning teeth conditions at an early stage and initiate treatment.

When you visit Dr. Allison Konick at her practice in Lakewood Ranch, Florida for your regular checkup, you’ll also enjoy professional cleaning. This way, any tartar that may have accumulated between your teeth will be removed during your oral checkup.

Additionally, Dr. Allison Konick and her team will conduct thorough screening to detect cavities, gum disease, and screen for any other mouth abnormalities. When dental conditions are detected early, they’re easily treatable. As a result, you’ll experience less pain and spend less time and money for treatment.

3. Always Use Fluoride Toothpaste to Brush Your Teeth

Simply put, fluoride is used in toothpaste because it prevents tooth decay. Fluoride enhances remineralization in your mouth, which means that it helps to strengthen the enamel, or outer layer of your tooth.  Fluoride is also effective in preventing dental cavities.

Fluoride toothpaste benefits your oral health in the following ways.

• Fluoride slows down the breakdown of enamel
• Fluoride toothpaste strengthens exposed tooth roots
• Fluoride enhances tooth mineral strength

When buying toothpaste, ensure that it contains fluoride.

Dental Hygiene Services for residents in and around Lakewood Ranch, Florida:

Oral Hygiene is not a one-day affair. You must maintain good oral hygiene at all times. More importantly, you should honor your dental checkups without fail. At Kind Smiles Dental Health, we offer professional guidance on oral health and dental hygiene.

You can visit Dr. Allison Konick at her private office, Kind Smiles Dental Health, in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, or call her office at (941) 253-5565 to schedule a visit.  Our team looks forward to being a part of your dental health care.